Helping husband understand there is no natural cure

I understand where your husband is coming from. Like your husband, I also was diagnosed with stage 3 PCa. Aside from rising PSA I had zero symptoms that there was a problem. I was in near athletic shape for being 68 yo and looked much younger. By the time I was diagnosed I was close to needing a urinary diversion (ostomy) and a natural cure was out of the question. I couldn’t believe it, was heartbroken, in denial and depressed. I was of the belief that after treatment, life would not be worth living. I sought a second opinion which convinced me of the direction I needed to take. My health team has put the odds of permanent remission at 80% and in the absence of a full remission they believe that the disease can be managed well enough that I should live into my 80s.
I had my prostate and some lymph nodes removed mid January, started ADT about a month ago and will start six weeks of radiation in June. So far, my fear that life would not be worth living has proved to be unjustified. The things that are different are certainly manageable. I look forward to enjoying something each day and refuse to let cancer find me as a person. If your husband ever wants to talk to me and asked me any questions, I invite you to send me a private message to set things up. All the best to both of you.

@robertmizek I see you standing beside a helicopter in your pic. I lost my aviation medical (fixed wing) here in Canada because of the metastasis to my spine, but I also notice that the FAA down in the U.S. has Firmagon (and possibly other ADT) on its banned list.

What's your experience been with prostate cancer and aviation medicals?

(Moderators: feel free to make this into a new thread, if you have to tools for it.)

I hold a certificate to fly gliders and sail planes here in the US. I’ve had my license for six years now. I also have some in single and multi engine aircraft, but never got my certificate. I love flying! It’s a boyhood dream come true. The photo of me with the R22 was taken after my second helicopter flight lesson after I recovered from RARP and before I started taking Zytiga. I was able to hover after 20 minutes on the first lessson which was one of the best moments I’ve had as a pilot. I stopped my flight training when I started ADT and won’t resume flying until I no longer am taking ADT or get cleared by a CME to fly while taking Zytiga and Orgovyx. It’s my understanding that one can maintain their medical certificate in the US while taking these drugs, but it’s on a case by case basis. https://www.leftseat.com/faa-accepted-medications/

I shared the photo to make a visual statement that there is hope to do the things we love to do even in the face of prostate cancer. Sometimes, it’s necessary that we put these things on the back burner and that’s OK. In the words of Winston Churchill, “Never give up!”

I wish you the best for success on your journey, and I hope that you are able to regain your medical certificate in the future and go flying again.

Thanks for your reply. I've been a private pilot since 2002, but unfortunately had to sell my plane in 2022. I haven't given up hope of getting my medical back, but it's just a question of where to invest my energy. I've been up with an instructor in a rental plane (after I got out of the wheelchair), and my stick-and-rudder skills are still solid, at least.