← Return to The waiting is terrible: Husband has Stage 4 prostate cancer

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@laffcris

Good that he’s receiving treatment and sounds like his doctors have him on a plan to address his disease. Being the support spouse is tough. Husbands often aren’t the best communicators, planners or organizers. My sisters-in-laws are super supportive and there when I need a listener. When mine was first diagnosed it was a shock and felt ominous. Knowing more about his disease and the plan moving forward has helped relieve those feelings of dread. The plan is to manage the disease. There is no cure but there are lots of options to stop and slow the progression. If one stops working, we try another. Initially we weren’t able to think about the future because it felt like death would be right around the corner. But knowing that men live for many years managing prostate cancer has helped lift that dark cloud. If your husband does try Lupron there is a drug, Casodex, they give for several days that blocks the effects of the testosterone surge. I will say all these hormones mine is taking make him a bit more moody. Told him, welcome to menopause.

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Replies to "Good that he’s receiving treatment and sounds like his doctors have him on a plan to..."

If it helps, in my case the moodiness was worst during the first six months on ADT. After that, my body started rebalancing. By a year, I was mostly back to normal, mood-wise (I'll be passing my 4 year anniversary on ADT this fall). Even the hot flushes have become rarer.

And you're right that communication is key. Your husband or you need to ask the questions, and keep telling the doctors and nurses what he wants at every visit. Don't worry about repeating yourselves. Self-advocacy can be as important as any drug.

I have stage 4 prostate cancer. When I was diagnosed my PSA was 326. Extremely high. I changed my eating pattern and my last PSA was 1.10 after 6 months. I just completed 21 days of radiation. I’m also on Lupron and Erleada (apilutimide) . I do have hot flashes like no tomorrow but I feel that is a minor thing to put up with considering.