On 6/30/2009 Fran430 wrote:
My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer that had spread to his bones in Oct. 08. He has had 2 lupron shots and takes casodex every day. His psa was down to 4 back in April, but by May has shot up to 35. We did another bone scan and cat scan and am going back to the doctor on Thursday. His gleason score is between and 8 and 10. He is doing a lot of sleeping and when awake seems to be getting things in order. Almost like he is getting ready to die, can this be true. How long do you actually have after being diagnosed. Dr. doesn't give and answer or pretends not to hear question. Thank you and God Bless. And one more thing, he has been in pain since May and is on Vicodin for that.
No good answer - I'm in the same spot with my 51 year old hubby gleason 9- When we got the initial diagnosis (August 2008) a notebook was set up and all our documents were put in order. We did hear the Dr's talking outside the office - and they said something about 2 years for my hubby which I think I would rather not have heard - for now we go from treatment to treatment (just had chemo #3) and spend valuable time together every day - he is still able to work so does that but it hurts not to be able to make long term plans like to attend my neice's wedding together next April - I think that will be a decison that will be made for us - hopefully he will be around and up to it - around and not up to it or not. Right now you are both cancer survivors and keep surviving.
1. A cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence.
2. Given the horror stories that we grew up with, fear of cancer is natural. But the more you fear it, the more it will control you.
3. Know your enemy. Get educated. But also know that it won't be easy. It will be confusing, overwhelming and depressing. That is the nature of cancer and thus the very educational process as you regain control.
4. Know that 9 out of 10 times, you have time to learn. Don't panic. You may make a decision (or let another make it for you) from which there is no return. Let the fear settle and your senses return.
Reread #1.
5. If you don't know how to use the Net, learn it and use it.
6. Find people who are more interested in helping you to learn than teaching you what they think you need to know. Pay heed first to those who will help you to learn, e..g, how to do an Internet Web search.
7. Disregard statistics. They lie.
8. Disregard the advice that you should have a positive attitude because that is like saying you need to have a million dollars. Yes, a positive attitude is essential but that is advice without telling you how to do it. Gain control and your attitude will follow.
9. Know you will start in fear and confusion and know that every person with cancer goes through it. You are not the first. Therefore find those who went through it and learn from them what they did. But remember that your journey is yours.
10. Either start doing or keep doing something in your life that really interests you and that you can take pride in, whether it be religion, gardening or your kids/grandkids. Find it and do it.
11. Come to the cold, hard realization that medicine no more knows what causes cancer or how to cure it than they know what is the best house, diet, profession and companion for you. Each person and life is different. That is why YOUR education and YOUR choice in YOUR life is best. Make your doctor explain until you understand and if it doesn't like it, get a new one. It is YOUR body, YOUR treatment and YOUR future. It won't be easy but learn to take back control of it.
12. Cancer is going to test you as you've never been tested. If you accept the challenge, you will learn more, appreciate more and be able to do and savour more than you ever imagined.
13. Never give up or give in. It wins only by making you give up, telling you surrender. Don't surrender. Never give up.
14. There will come a time when you are not living in fear or anxiety about it. Now put some time into helping others get through it too. It may be the best immune-booster of them all.