Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment
My inability to get an erection began as soon as I began hormone therapy before radiotherapy started. I don't know if radiotherapy also affected my libido. I talk about this more later. I've not had sex for over two years. It will affect men and their partners in different ways. Mentally I've had to look at it as a trade off. Yes, I've lost something that was very important to me. But I'm still here, we still love each other and I can still play tennis!
Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment
I lost my chest hair. I didn't have much to begin with, but it does look strange to me. I also have very little now under my arms. I seem to have retained most of my pubic hair. It was something I hadn't expected but hasn't bothered me. The hot sweats I've found annoying and occasionally rather stressful. They wake me up to 10 times a night. I do not get drenched, but if I throw off the duvet, I cool down after about ten minutes. During the day they are less frequent. I find it hard to pick the right level of clothing - I often seem to be over-dressed and have to throw off coats, jumpers. I have put on some weight around my waist and for the first time in my life I have a 'belly'. Some trousers have been sent to charity shops. These have been changes I have noticed in the last 2 years. But I'm still alive and I can cope with them!
Tips and advice for any mental and emotional side effects of treatment
The end of my sex life has been a major mental problem for me. My wife and I were still having sex regularly at the time of my diagnosis. At 68 I thought I was a very lucky man! I've considered the artificial ways to create 'an erection' but have dismissed them. Maybe I should have had some counselling, but we have talked it through a lot. My wife says she's just glad to still have me around. I miss the intimacy, but this has faded as the months have gone on. I still fancy her but don't get that stirring in the loins anymore - I'm sure at my age, it would have happened at some point anyway.
How this treatment impacted my life the most
My sex life as described above.
Why did I give this answer?
Because the radiotherapy and hormone treatment have saved my life. I had a close shave, the cancer had begun to spread. Fingers crossed, the treatment has been successful and my wife and I can grow old together and enjoy seeing our children and grandchildren for many more years.
