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Prostate Cancer - How did you tell family and friends about your diagnosis?
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Courtney_J
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Courtney_J
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Last activity on 08/08/2022 at 11:09 AM
Joined in 2020
1,340 comments posted | 9 in the Prostate cancer Forum
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@PTaylor16 Hello Paul, welcome to Carenity. I'm sorry you're going through that, receiving a diagnosis like that can be hard to process, especially if you're going it alone. Let me tag some members who may be able to share their experience.
Hello members, I hope you don't mind that I've tagged you. How did you tell your family and friends about your diagnosis? Did you wait a bit to process it, or did you tell them straight away? In person? Over the phone? What worked for you? Can you share any advice with Paul?
@JosephBosch @Billy10 @Ibrock324 @mchase54 @FranPro @Noggin @Gonzo8 @DannDon @dsmith45 @breeze @mikev1979 @Thatcher @Jagcbs1953 @Mpie22 @Igypop @waynemerrill875 @chuprin @oregonroofer
Take care,
Courtney
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Courtney_J, Community Manager, Carenity US
FranPro
FranPro
Last activity on 11/14/2020 at 6:05 PM
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2 comments posted | 2 in the Prostate cancer Forum
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Paul,
Hearing the C word will throw you for a loop for sure. Telling your family depends on the age of the kids. Mine were all over 20, so I told them over a family Sunday dinner. If my kids were young, I would handle it differently.
I have been dealing with this for 15 months. I chose surgery first, then the PSA started creeping up over the next 12 months. One year post surgery to the day, they determined I needed additional treatments. Over the past year and a half, I have learned a ton about my condition and found some great resources. I would be happy to share my email if Courtney can make that happen.
You are your own advocate. The more you know, the better your outcome will be.
Russ
Unregistered member
Paul, I didn't have the family announcement to much because the cancer runs in our family, my father, brother etc. My 2 children were very supportive as were my friends. I was 75 when diagnosed and my doctor did not want to do the surgery at that age, I did the heavy 5 day radiation (the 30 day lesser seemed like along time then) but i need up doing 40 days in the bariatric chamber for an hour or so a day. I still have some bladder problems, wear pads. I exercise everyday and play a lot of golf. Any questions that I can help you with feel free to ask. I am 77 now
PTaylor16
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PTaylor16
Last activity on 12/07/2020 at 11:34 AM
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9 comments posted | 8 in the Prostate cancer Forum
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@FranPro @looper Thank you both for your advice. I managed to break it to my wife but I haven't talked about it with my friends or kids yet what with the virus going on and some friends having health conditions that made them isolate. I figure it's a conversation that needs to be done in person.
superman
superman
Last activity on 06/04/2020 at 7:19 PM
Joined in 2019
6 comments posted | 6 in the Prostate cancer Forum
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@PTaylor16 Do it in your own time, when you're ready. It's your body, your situation, do what YOU need to do to be ok. When I told everyone I made sure to let them know that I needed them to be normal and not treat me like a ticking time bomb. Most of them got it and gave me my space to breathe and come to them if I needed. I think telling them that helped.
PTaylor16
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PTaylor16
Last activity on 12/07/2020 at 11:34 AM
Joined in 2020
9 comments posted | 8 in the Prostate cancer Forum
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@superman Thanks, that seems to be an important thread in it all and that's what I ended up doing. I hope this can help future members too.
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I made the decision to have my proste removed and it was not an easy time... just as hard as finding out you had prostate cancer... I was advised by my doctors the surgery was the best option because of my age and the harmful affects of radiation longterm. For me, once I made the decision, I did have the peace of mind knowing that the actual cancer was "removed" instead of just treated... which, I guess, did give me some sense of comfort.
The biggest issue for me once the surgery was done and I was on the road to recovering was the effects it had on me emotionally/psychologically, which many people in my opinion overlook. I encourage anyone and everyone, when diagnosed with prostate cancer, before and after treatment and during, to seek psychological help... there is nothing wrong with it. Medications, counseling, and just talking about your feelings can help tremendously. Do not hold it all in and try to battle the anxiety and depression because this diagnosis will affect you, no matter how strong you may consider yourself to be.
The sexual effects treatment has on you will also affect you mentally, because your sexual ability and ability to have kids will likely be affected. Your performance ability can be likely fixed, but it can still affect you mentaly. Take care of yourself.
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Unregistered member
I made the decision to have my proste removed and it was not an easy time... just as hard as finding out you had prostate cancer... I was advised by my doctors the surgery was the best option because of my age and the harmful affects of radiation longterm. For me, once I made the decision, I did have the peace of mind knowing that the actual cancer was "removed" instead of just treated... which, I guess, did give me some sense of comfort.
The biggest issue for me once the surgery was done and I was on the road to recovering was the effects it had on me emotionally/psychologically, which many people in my opinion overlook. I encourage anyone and everyone, when diagnosed with prostate cancer, before and after treatment and during, to seek psychological help... there is nothing wrong with it. Medications, counseling, and just talking about your feelings can help tremendously. Do not hold it all in and try to battle the anxiety and depression because this diagnosis will affect you, no matter how strong you may consider yourself to be.
The sexual effects treatment has on you will also affect you mentally, because your sexual ability and ability to have kids will likely be affected. Your performance ability can be likely fixed, but it can still affect you mentaly. Take care of yourself.
See the best comment
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PTaylor16
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PTaylor16
Last activity on 12/07/2020 at 11:34 AM
Joined in 2020
9 comments posted | 8 in the Prostate cancer Forum
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Hi, I just found this site so this is my first post. I hope I'm doing this right.
I've just found out that I have prostate cancer and I'm reeling. I know that I need to take the time to understand this myself, but I'm already thinking about the next steps. How am I going to tell my family? My friends? I don't know what to do or say and I don't want it to be a big dramatic thing. I know I need to tell them, but when? How?
Can anyone give me any advice? When did you tell your family and friends? How did you do it?
Thanks,
Paul