My dad was just diagnosed with PC

Holm
Holm Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Prostate Cancer #1
My dad is 61 and was just diagnosed with the cancer he is suffering from hip and upper leg pain. His Gleason score was 9 and PSA was 7,the bone scan came back abnormal. The uralogist has gave him some pills that nock the testosterone out of him until he can decide on a treatment. He goes back Fri. to decide on a treatment the uralogist has told us that the hormone treatments would be the best. I am scared out of my mind right now he has already lost 40 pounds do to lack of appetite. If anyone could give me some advice or let me know from experience what lies ahead would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou!!!

Comments

  • ismetals
    ismetals Member Posts: 69
    start you research now
    Do you have a cancer center nearby? What did your dads' reqular doctor say. It doesn't sound like time is on your side. Read as much as you can about this disease so that you can help your father make an informed dicision as too which treatment will be best for him.
  • Holm
    Holm Member Posts: 4
    ismetals said:

    start you research now
    Do you have a cancer center nearby? What did your dads' reqular doctor say. It doesn't sound like time is on your side. Read as much as you can about this disease so that you can help your father make an informed dicision as too which treatment will be best for him.

    Yes, the Michigan University
    Yes, the Michigan University has a cancer center in Alpena Michigan about a half hour a way from where my dad lives he is going to try to get in there this week or next. Everything I read is very alarming to me its seems that death is inevidble but prolonging life is not out of the question.

    Ismetals I see your an icefisherman, the day before my dad started to have the back pain he was out icefishing he was using our power auger and it bit and spoune him around thats what started the back pain and eventually led us to were we are today.

    We are trying to decide what treatment is best the hormone therapy is probably what he is going to use but it seems there are some side effects. Is there side effects to the cathstration, our would that be a better route than the H therapy. He is no longer sexually active so that is not an issue, he just wants to be able to hunt,fish,cut wood and enjoy living again.
  • ismetals
    ismetals Member Posts: 69
    Holm said:

    Yes, the Michigan University
    Yes, the Michigan University has a cancer center in Alpena Michigan about a half hour a way from where my dad lives he is going to try to get in there this week or next. Everything I read is very alarming to me its seems that death is inevidble but prolonging life is not out of the question.

    Ismetals I see your an icefisherman, the day before my dad started to have the back pain he was out icefishing he was using our power auger and it bit and spoune him around thats what started the back pain and eventually led us to were we are today.

    We are trying to decide what treatment is best the hormone therapy is probably what he is going to use but it seems there are some side effects. Is there side effects to the cathstration, our would that be a better route than the H therapy. He is no longer sexually active so that is not an issue, he just wants to be able to hunt,fish,cut wood and enjoy living again.

    this week not next
    I think you should go there now and sit on their doorstep. Not really but this does sound more urgent than the road to treatment most of us have been on. Never thought that getting jamed in an ice auger could lead to a prolonged life. I'm hopping he gets good care from the center and will be on the ice next winter. Don't forget your care is going to be just as important. Good luck
  • Bill91101
    Bill91101 Member Posts: 81 Member
    hang in there, buddy!
    I'm

    hang in there, buddy!

    I'm 55, found out last week I got PC. Going to find out more today. Just joined the group.
  • shipjim
    shipjim Member Posts: 137 Member
    Holm said:

    Yes, the Michigan University
    Yes, the Michigan University has a cancer center in Alpena Michigan about a half hour a way from where my dad lives he is going to try to get in there this week or next. Everything I read is very alarming to me its seems that death is inevidble but prolonging life is not out of the question.

    Ismetals I see your an icefisherman, the day before my dad started to have the back pain he was out icefishing he was using our power auger and it bit and spoune him around thats what started the back pain and eventually led us to were we are today.

    We are trying to decide what treatment is best the hormone therapy is probably what he is going to use but it seems there are some side effects. Is there side effects to the cathstration, our would that be a better route than the H therapy. He is no longer sexually active so that is not an issue, he just wants to be able to hunt,fish,cut wood and enjoy living again.

    hormone therapy
    My understanding if H, radiation or seeds don't work, it's then too late for surgery. I'm older than your Dad and if I had it to do over, I'd still get the robotic surgery. Once you're done it's gone. I can do everything you mentioned and since sex isn't an issue he has even less to think about. It doesn't really hurt slows you down for about a month then maybe some incontinece.
    What tests has he had done? To me the back pain is alarming so getting in sooner than later is best.

    Good luck keep posting so we can know how it's going. jj
  • RRMCJIM
    RRMCJIM Member Posts: 149
    Bill91101 said:

    hang in there, buddy!
    I'm

    hang in there, buddy!

    I'm 55, found out last week I got PC. Going to find out more today. Just joined the group.

    Bill we must
    Bill we must be close...92543 here....glad you found us here...sorry you had to... sorry to hear your dad was diagnosed with PCa. Lots of info here as well as on the net. Keep us informed
  • Holm
    Holm Member Posts: 4
    RRMCJIM said:

    Bill we must
    Bill we must be close...92543 here....glad you found us here...sorry you had to... sorry to hear your dad was diagnosed with PCa. Lots of info here as well as on the net. Keep us informed

    From what I understand is
    From what I understand is that once the cancer has spread outside the prostate they don't remove the prostate because even with the prostate gone there would still be cancer in other places of the body, does anyone know if this is true or not?

    It has been a real help already just to have somewhere to turn for advice it is crazy how many people have this disease. It turns out my dads neighbor has it and the guy that does my dads taxes has it, one of my good freinds uncle had it but his was caught early enough they removed his prostate and now he is fine.
  • whubbs
    whubbs Member Posts: 77
    Holm said:

    From what I understand is
    From what I understand is that once the cancer has spread outside the prostate they don't remove the prostate because even with the prostate gone there would still be cancer in other places of the body, does anyone know if this is true or not?

    It has been a real help already just to have somewhere to turn for advice it is crazy how many people have this disease. It turns out my dads neighbor has it and the guy that does my dads taxes has it, one of my good freinds uncle had it but his was caught early enough they removed his prostate and now he is fine.

    Spreading
    First off, sorry to hear your Dad's diagnosis and what you are going through.
    I believe with a Gleason score of 9, which is very high, and evidence of bone metastasis, that surgery is probably no longer an option.
    There are many types of chemotherapy that will probably be the way to go to combat the cancer that has spread outside of the prostate into bone.
    Perhaps localized radiation is an option if the tumors can be isolated.
    Be sure to get second and third opinions, and please keep us up to date.
    Good luck to you and your Dad.
  • 2ndBase
    2ndBase Member Posts: 220
    Call Me
    I have gone through the same things your dad is facing and will talk to him if he would like. Call #765-759-5841 Thanks, Mark
  • 2ndBase
    2ndBase Member Posts: 220
    Call Me
    I have gone through the same things your dad is facing and will talk to him if he would like. Call #765-759-5841 Thanks, Mark
  • Holm
    Holm Member Posts: 4
    2ndBase said:

    Call Me
    I have gone through the same things your dad is facing and will talk to him if he would like. Call #765-759-5841 Thanks, Mark

    Mark, Thank you for your # I
    Mark, Thank you for your # I will let my dad know that there is someone out there that would talk to him if he would like that is going thru the samething that he is.
    He just recieved his first treatment of Lupron yesterday (I think thats what it was called) I have been studying all the treatment and drug options and seem to be getting them mixed up in my head.

    Anyway his bone pain is almost all gone for right now which makes me very happy he can get out and do little things again which seems to ease his mind. It seems that he gets fatigued really easy now.

    Has anyone else had the same numbers gleason 9 PSA 7 and already spread to the bone? My dad asked the doctor to tell him straight up what the outlook was, the doc said 2 years could be more could be less it all depends on how his body reacts to the hormone treatment. Does this seem about right?