My grandpa was diagnosed with prostate cancer last week, as most of you remember. My Dad went with my grandparents to their oncologist's appointments this past week, and has been sending along his notes so the whole family can know what's going on.
They started hormone treatment, and apparently have a new drug that has less side effects (mood swings and such) though he'll still get hot flashes and likely will have trouble sleeping, with some other minor side effects that are mostly just inconvenient. But he can do all his normal activities, including driving, as long as he feels up to it. After a month, they'll start radiation. They've got a targeted system so it won't affect his whole body, but he'll still feel weak, so he can rest as needed but otherwise keep exercising whenever he feels up to it. He won't even lose his hair!
All in all, they give him an 85% survival rate for 5 years, which is pretty good at his age. I'm relieved that the hormone treatment they're putting him on won't be as miserable as the old drug was supposed to be. According to the doctor, his life expectancy (considering his Mom lived until 105) is 12 years, so we're hoping to still have a good long while with my grandfather - hopefully he will even become a great-grandfather in his lifetime!
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. It's going to be a long road, but I'm feeling a bit better about this now.
