We arrived at the Cancer Center yesterday feeling calm. It was a beautiful spring day with cool breezes and blue skies. It felt a little surreal to me as I watched my husband check in at the reception desk. All around us were older folk in various stages of health. Many of them were weak and in wheelchairs. Some were seeing their oncologist and others getting their regular treatments.
This was my husbands first visit. After they got all of his measurements, he met his doctor. The doctor was friendly and seemed down-to-earth. He talked a lot, showed us the PET scans and explained where they saw cancer in the bones, lymph nodes, and prostate. He told us that my husband has Stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer. Then he explained the treatment that he was proposing.
We agreed to follow the doctor’s plan of getting hormonal therapy. He’ll take injections every three months and pills every day. This will block testosterone and hopefully shrink the cancer. He’ll also receive infusions to protect his bones from osteoporosis. He may have hot flashes and weight gain, and maybe other symptoms like women get in menopause. If this therapy works, he will take it for up to 2 years. This should give him 18-24 months of remission. Because his cancer has spread, there won’t be a cure. The doctor said that a reasonable prognosis is 5 years.
Hubby was relieved that the doctor didn’t ask for surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Although that could be needed later, it won’t be the first treatment. We’ll be praying that this hormonal treatment will work well for him and give him lots of good years with us.
He’s chosen now to stay at home where he can get complimentary treatments from our holistic general practitioner. He will offer hubby Vitamin C IV therapy and Ozone Therapy. He’ll also recommend specific nutritional supplements.
I was exhausted after the trip and appointment. Hubby feels rejuvenated. I hope and pray that he’ll be able to function well when these treatments start. He’s lost a ton of weight and looks weak to me, but isn’t feeling bad or having any pain.
I hope that I will feel good enough to accompany him to his appointments. The doctor said that when we get the appointments regulated, there will be 2-4 weeks between each visit. This will leave us with enough time to finally get visits to see our new granchild and our other grandchild. I can’t wait for those trips!!!
Visiting with loved ones helps to expand our support system to the extended family, which should bring in a lot of positive emotions. This should also give him many reasons to fight his cancer, because he wants to be a grandfather for a long time. I hope that we can be good grandparents together for a long time. It’s the strongest urge I have.
Having something that makes you want to fight for your health makes all the difference to me. Having chronic illness can just naturally make one want to give up. The natural urge is just to let depression take over and sleep all day. I love that there are many people and things in my life that make me want to live each day to the fullest and plan for many tomorrows. I’m thankful to God for this day and the hope of tomorrow.
@2021, copyright Lisa Ehrman
Disclaimer: I’m not a medical expert. This post contains my experiences and opinions, and is not meant to be taken as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please consult your personal physician.
Praying for you and your husband, Lisa.
Thank you! Prayers are being answered in that he is staying positive and fighting, which is not easy for him.
Praying for your husband and you, Lisa. Im glad to hear you both are staying postive ♥
Thanks so much! I know God will hear 🙂