Advanced prostate cancer

Hi hoosier,

Welcome to Caring's groups.  I'm really glad you found us!

While I've had experience with folks I know and love having prostate cancer, they've all been caught early, thankfully.  So I don't have a real life story that addresses what your family is going through.  I'm sorry your dad is having to deal with this.    I'm really hopeful, though, that someone else will post who will have something meaningful to share with you. 

I'll be thinking about you and your father.

Hello Hoosier, and welcome to Caring's groups. I can't speak from experience myself, but I'm sure someone else here will have some insight for you. We're here to listen, anytime.

My Dad waited over 5 years before he would go to the doctor but then it was too late. He was only 69. Is your father taking chemo and/or radiation? Whatever the doctors say, do it. Daddy would cancel his appointments if he didn't feel good and so the chemo didn't work. Love him, hold him, listen to every word he says, ask him to tell you the favorite stories you've heard a million times! Start him on ENSURE, Daddy liked the bottle kind best. Get him jello, pudding, stew, soups. Be careful what Hospice you choose when and if the time comes. Daddy never wanted Hospice because of a bad experience with his mother. Home Health Care workers came but not Hospice. His nephew was a minister so he had spiritual guidance through it all. I will be praying for you.

My husband, 87, has had prostate cancer for 11 yrs; he has chosen not to do anything.  He has no ill effects presently; he is in excellent health.  Find out if cryotherapy could be an answer.  It's not invasive - it's freezing of the prostate - but only if it is self contained.  My husband had cryro surgery on a tumor on his kidney a year and a half ago, and it has been successful.  ANY treatment for prostate surgery has side effects.  My brother-in-law is taking hormone shots.  Attitude and education are importantf or both the patient and caregivers.

My dad's cancer has spread from the prostate into his bones. So he is taking Casodex (not sure if correct spelling) and he also is on pain patches. His doctor said that patients who respond to the medication mentioned above live for about 18 months. He had a check-up to see if he was responding and the doctor said he was responding very well. It is reassuring to know that and hopefully he will be around longer then expected. I truly appreciate all the comments so far and look forward to more.

My dad was diagnosed with Stage IV prostate cancer in 2000 and one pelvic lymph node was involved. He used hormone therapy through 2008, had radiation that summer, and now in 2009 it has spread to his bones and his lungs. He is starting chemo next week. We have been told without chemo expect only a few months and with chemo not to expect more than a year. I know we have been fortunate for nearly 10 years with Stage IV but this latest news is devestating. He lives alone and is only 68 years old. I live about an hour away and I am his primary "everything". I don't know if I am sytrong enough to get through everything I am about to face with him. I am overwhelmed with information, even on this site. Where do I start and like almost everyone what exactly is he likely to experience and face over the coming months?

Hi, HUGS to all of you. My dad is 65 years young. He was diagnosed with stage 1V prostate cancer in 2005. He has his prostate removed and received radiation. We thought all was going well until Aug 2008. His cancer had spread to his bones. We went through one round of Taxotare chemo that was every third week, for 12 sessions. The doctor said he would be off chemo for at least a year if not more. However 3 months into that break the cancer came back worse. He is now on Chemo indefinately....with Chemo holidays he can take, that means he can skip a treatment or two, to say go on a trip. I am very confused. I asked the DR. some hard ?'s yesterday. I asked what his life expectancy is they said 19 months. Well when did that 19 months start...the dr. didnt want to talk about it he said bc it would take our hope away...anyway. I hate Cancer. At this point my dad is not in pain and not loosing weight, so I guess I should be thankful. The taxotare is keeping his cancer at bay....however he goes for scans this month and I fear it has spread. I have been ok up until this point. Handling all of this. I do not know how to handle what is to come...him loosing weight, pain increasing, bed bound....I am lost, I still have hope though, Just for today. Jenn