Hi Emily,  my dad was discharged into GPs care with 3 month injections and when he stopped eating, and was in pain a young doctor just have him indigestion tablets. I don't know what she was thinking.

I don't think the GPs always have a clue who their patients are.  I managed to talk to my dad's regular GP it wasn't easy and my dad had to come on the phone and give consent at one stage  but I was able to initially  state concerns to him.  I worried about intruding on my dad's privacy too, he's a proud independent person, but I wish I had done it sooner.  The crunch point came when I called 111 one weekend and I had to put him on the phone. Difficult or what and then  the tendency is for them to say, 'oh I'm coping' to others.  The doctor who came told me to call the surgery and that's when I started to tough it out past the receptionists to talk to the GP.  They can only say yes or no.   If no, call back later and you might get a more experienced one. Dad did accept I was doing it to help and after that even started to pass the phone to me.  Also try Marie curie or Macmillan for advice.  It's a traumatic time for yourself too. 

Hi Emily,

I am so sorry to hear about your father. One thing that I have realised is to not be afraid to be assertive and ask. I have been very demanding and asked to speak my mother's consultant several times and he has been great at getting back to us. From what I know they all have a secretary, so get their number and give them a call which is what I have done.

ps. My mum has also been exhausted, sleepy and after a blood test her blood count was very low, so she is now booked in for an Iron Infusion to get this up!

Hope this helps!

Kindest Regards

Glyn

Hi Emily

My dad is the same age going through the same thing.

If your dad felt comfortable on the previous medication he can always go back on it till he is ready for his chemo if he asks his Cancer Dr. Does he have a cancer team they normally have someone they can contact or just get in touch with the oncology team.

Please tell him he doesn't have to suffer there are so many things that he can have to make him comfortable. My dad had to have a catheter because it was so bad he couldn't pass urine as the prostate was pressing on his bladder. I wonder if he is embarrassed to say his symptoms. My dad never said too until it got so bad and he then wished he had not waited before he spoke out. My dad is now getting ready for his 3rd Chemo on Tuesday. Like your dad his levels wasn't coming down on medication and it got to the point he sat in a chair for 48hrs and he couldn't walk. He lost so much weight it was heart breaking. An ambulance was called and that's when they started him with Chemo. 

Don't wait that long. My dad is battling He classes food like medication as much as you hate it you need it to keep strong. If your dad is still sick he can have medication to help with the nauseous feeling. Tell him he doesn't have to suffer there is so many things that they can do. The hardest is because of Covid treatment has took a back burner just keep pushing and never give up. It's a tough road.

Explain that just because he gives you permission to talk to the Drs doesn't mean it will stop him having a voice he will still be able to talk it's just your on the list so you can order his prescription's and be his voice when he's exhausted It's always a great help having someone. You don't have to be a carer it's just a form to say you can ring places and help on there behalf.

I would check his GP knows he has cancer ....the weird thing is our Dr didn't even know my dad had Cancer and it's only been a year...that was definitely bizarre.

Prostate cancer is weird how badly it effects the bowels and urine tell him he definitely needs seeing by his Cancer Dr because he will need CT scans my Dad was suffering and it was all because of communication from one Dr to another he should of been seen a lot quicker than he was.

My thoughts are with you xx