From both sides now

[TNNurse]

Soon will be the 11th anniversary of my mastectomy. That was followed by chemo, radiation and 5 years of estrogen blockers.
It was hard, there were times I thought another dose of chemo might actually kill me. Lost 50 lbs, passed out and fell in the bathroom from low blood pressure and had to have two transfusions. It was hard.

Now, my husband is beginning treatment for prostate cancer. It has not spread. He is taking testosterone blockers and will have radiation. He is angry, worried and yes, scared.

I knew that he struggled while I was sick. I knew it was hard on him.
Now, I understand how hard. I cannot fix anything, I try to make things better, but it is he who has to go through it.

If you are a cancer patient, it is normal to focus on yourself. You have to do that. But please focus on those who love you.

I now understand that it is incredibly hard to watch and not be able to fix anything.

Harder than I imagined.

[multigraincracker]

1. Best of luck to you

and your husband. My wife is an RN and has saved my life several times. She is an angel.

[MLAA]

2. I so agree, nothing hurts as much as seeing your loved one hurt, weakened and afraid.

However, you are doing something. Something important, you are loving him and holding his hand and being there for him to lean on but I do understand first hand the feeling of helplessness.
Sending you both 💗💗💗💗💗💗.

[Bayard]

3. I hope you both can stay strong

[Solly Mack]

4. Hoping for the best outcome. Being a caregiver is draining.

Watching your loved one suffer is draining. My husband was there for me, and I am so grateful he was, but I know it took a lot out of him.

Take care and keep us posted.

[Nac Mac Feegle]

5. Prostate Cancer is very common for men

One person I talked with said that if a man lives long enough, he will get it.

I was caught early and was able to get radiation therapy for it. I had an uncle that wasn’t caught early and had a very bad time of it. I didn’t know how bad a time it was until a long time later. A very bad passing.

Getting it discovered early is a Very good thing.

[TNNurse]

6. We are both retired RNs

Heard many times what you said about living long enough. They used to say if you were not diagnosed by 70, you were in the clear. My 73yo husband resents that he is now stuck with treatment.

Avoiding bone mets is a very high priority.

I swear having cancer is easier than watching the stress of this.