Husband's shock diagnosis

[alisonrb]

Hi everyone.  I am really struggling to come to terms with what's happened.  My husband ( together 28 years and married for 24) has always been very fit being a cycling obsessive, we've always eaten healthily, no family history of pc, he's not a big drinker and never smoked.  He's also only 57.  He was given a diagnosis of probable pc on October 14th.  I say probable because he still hasn't had a biopsy due to him having lost weight and not being well enough ( there is a slight possibility it could be neuroendocrine ).  The speed this has happened has been truly shocking.  He started feeling a bit 'off' about 6 months ago ( but didn't say anything me at that point).   By mid July he was complaining of chest and leg pains and shortness of breath.  GP sent him to A&E.  Did a few blood tests, and ECG and chest scan which found a small clot.  Sent home with a follow up scan booked for September.  Had been worried about heart disease ir a DVT but told he was ok.  Carried on as normal and went on holiday to Croatia early to mid September,  swimming in the sea and walking round the sights.  About 2 weeks after getting home things take a dramatic turn for the worse.   His legs are swelling and he can do longer ride his bike.  GP again sends him to A&E only to be told it's muscular pain and to go home.

Still thinking it's something to do with his legs, we pay for him to see a vascular surgeon.   This is on October 9th.  Ultrasound confirms that his veins are fine but as he is slim from all the cycling, checks hus abdomen which shows enlarged lymph glands.   He has also started having bad night sweats.  Private dr has contacts at the local hospital and arranges for him to be admitted as he's concerned about possible lymphoma.   in hospital finally gets a CT scan of his abdomen and we get the dreaded phone call on the 14th..  It was something we were not prepared for and new little about at that point.  It still takes over a week for the specialist to get back to him and a further week for an appointment.   By this tine, he has deteriorated rapidly and lost weight and has been readmitted to try and get on top of his pain. He is now back in for a third tine as he is really struggling to eat and put weight on for a biopsy.

I am struggling to understand hiw we can go from cycling at least 100 miles a week to this in such a short period of time.  I am just not prepared to lose him so young.   I've only recently come to terms with losing my mum suddenly too with pneumonia (anniversary is later this month too).  Reading other people's stories, I see my story is not unique.  I was the one with health problems who was supposed to go first, who was the looked after one.  I am beyond heartbroken.   Many thanks to Rachel, the specialist nurse here for her support.