My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer approx 35-40 yrs ago. About 20 yrs after having his prostate removed, his PSA became elevated. His doctor suggested radiation, which my dad consented to with not good results.
In March of this year, he began showing blood in his urine. His urologist went in to his bladder and "zapped" the places bleeding. He said he believed it could be from the former radiation, and more than likely would return.
Since June of this year, he has been hospitalized 6 itmes - TIAs, fractured femur, a kidneystone, two kidney/UTI infections where white count was too numerous to count, fractured T12, rectal bleeding due to either or both damage from radiation or diverticulitis. His urologist looked over CT scans and ultrasounds from his recent visit with UTI/kidney stone. He told me my dad has lesions in his bladder and on his kidneys. He also said the T12 fracture was recent and may be due to a lesion there as well. His chest x-ray shows no pneumonia, but has a dry rattle upon listening with stethescope. Yesterday, his oncology diagnosed him with metastatic prostate cancer. He did not recommend treatment due to the following: 92 yrs old, vascular dementia, upturn in urinary infections. He told me he believes he has less than 6 months to live. He recommended my dad go under Hospice care as soon as I can arrange it. He currently resides in a memory care facility/skilled nursing. He says he is in no pain, however, since being diagnosed with vascular dementia 10 yrs ago (due to a fall, brainbleed, stroke) he has had little to zero pain reception.
Has anyone else gone through this with a parent? Your thoughts and ideas would be most appreciated.
There isn't very much to do, except to prepare for the final outcome. It's a blessing that he has no pain. From now on, the goal is to make him feel as comfortable as possible. Now that we live longer, we are more exposed to the effects of wear and tear in our organs. In the old days, people died after the failure of one single organ. Now, with all the advances in medical science, they slow down the deterioration of the organs. As a consequence more and more people live longer despite the organs being pretty well worn out. Then, when they finally fail, they all do it at the same time and people develop multiple medical conditions, like your father.
Hospice is now going to be your best friend. Ask what company they use most at his MC, because the MC folks will be familiar with the various nurses and it goes much more smoothly when they've all worked in tandem together before.
Educate yourself on the services hospice offers the family as well. They should give you a brochure that outlines everything and a social worker will talk to you, too. Take advantage of everything, if possible. Hospice is a godsend.
It's a lot to take in, I know, but your dad will now have an extra set of eyes on him, and they'll be sure to keep him comfortable as he progresses on this journey.
Lesions in the bladder usually means the onset of bladder cancer.