This is the ‘other’ Dr Elrod, filling in for Jerry today. I’ve been wanting to share some thoughts and experiences and I guess this is the most available opportunity. So here goes!
The first disclaimer is that, as a woman who is in her senior citizen years, my perspective is that of observer, albeit in my case, a very loving observer. My husband was diagnosed with very aggressive prostate cancer 18 months ago. He is 70; I am 65. I’ve had some experiences in the past 18 months that I hope will be helpful to other senior women, wives, significant others and observers of men with prostate cancer.
We women don’t walk in shoes of men who have prostate cancer, and we cannot know how it feels and how it affects them. Don’t judge. And don’t be critical of their responses, even when you want to choke them.
Honor his choices. If the diagnosis is highly aggressive cancer, as it was in my husband’s case, honor his choice to live even when it means losing some dignity…