Advanced prostate cancer

[Je1234]

My dad was diagnosed with stage iv prostate cancer November 25, 2018. I took him to the hospital at 3 am the night before for horrible back pain. That night we were informed that he had tumors and that further scans needed to be done. He was admitted that night and the tests confirmed that it was advanced with tumors in his spine. He had a prostate biopsy and a ureter tube stent placed during that initial hospital stay.His Gleason score came back as a 10 and he bagan his radiation which relieved the pain. I took him home and continued to take him daily for radiation treatments. December 24 I took him to the emergency room for shoulder pain and sure enough he had a small tumor that had previously not been seen. The doctor gave him his Adt shot and we came home for Christmas with pain medication and plans to start radiation the next week. He had 5 doses of radiation on his shoulder, but ended up admitted into the hospital for an infected radiation burn on both buttocks cheeks which were extremely painful. He also had pneumonia. He was released January 9, 2019 into an acute rehab for wound care and strengthening. He was also starting on Zytiga. His pneumonia was not cleared up and on January 21 he was admitted back into the hospital with a severe lung infection and a uti and placed on 120 mg of steroids. This caused steroid psychosis but his lung infection was finally cleared up. On February 7 he was discharged into a skilled nursing facility where he is today. He’s been weaned down to his 10 mg of steroids he takes with the zytiga,but he’s weak and tired. I have arranged medical transportation for his Monday oncology appointment and his ADT shot. He’s supposed to be discharged from the snf soon but I’m hoping he can build a little more strength because I can’t move him around. His tumors have not progressed since his last scans before he left the hospital and he doesn’t have cancer pain. He’s mostly recovering from the high doses of steroid withdrawals and the fatigue from everything he’s been through. I love my dad so much and I want to help him as much as possible. This entire situation is heartbreaking for everyone who goes through it.

[YostConner]

I’m so sorry for you and your dad. I hope things are under control now, and he recovers from all those painful side effects.

[Je1234 in reply to YostConner]

Thank you. I didn’t understand how a cancer diagnosis could change everything until now.

[Tall_Allen]

He's been through the wringer! Hopefully, now that he is on the right medications and having relief from the bone pain, things will improve.

[Je1234 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you. He’s really confused right now due to the steroid being lowered. I miss our conversations but I’m hoping to have a little more time with him.

[chalaan]

Hi, if you think that your father could benefit from a longer stay at the Rehab, you should try to make that case if you think it is a good place. As long as he is making progress, they will probably keep him. If he is still in a psychosis, they should realize that he needs to stay. My brother was in a psychosis for 3 months, stayed at the Rehab, had mets everywhere, but ended up walking out with little to no pain and a clear mind. Well worth it. Good luck.

[Je1234]

Thank you. These are my thoughts exactly but he’s very oppositional right now because of the medication so I’m hoping he’ll feel better after his ADT shot on Monday and the side affects wear down. Right now he’s feeling hopeless so he refused pt. The staff are doing everything the can to make it work (and show progress) because the charge nurse lost his dad to prostate cancer last year and they really have a good heart trying to help our family.

[pakb]

We had my dad's doctors contact insurance about a longer rehab stay. He doesn't have Pca- he has Parkinson's- butvwas in after a leg operation. He is 6'8" and my mom is 5'3"- the doctor did not think my mom could get him around at home so they kept him 6 more weeks in rehab. Can you talk to his doctors about it? Maybe they can reframe it fir him so he accepts it.

So sorry you've gone through all of that. Agree- you don't realize what a cancer diagnosis can do. I hope he is able to stay longer and is feeling better soon.

[Je1234 in reply to pakb]

Thank you for your encouragement. We see his oncologist in the morning and I have to call to request an extension of care.

[j-o-h-n]

Your poor Dad has been tortured...

Would you be kind enough to tell us his age, your location, treatment center, doctor(s) name(s). Sometimes this info helps us help you and your dad.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 02/17/2019 7:50 PM EST

[Je1234]

He’s 76. Bayhealth Dover Delaware. Dr. Sawhney.