I knew that he would have to go through. There were many dark moments for Joe after his diagnosis and in the time prior to his decision to have the surgery. I could see the anxiety and stress he was under. However, once he made the decision to go forward with the surgery, he felt much better. His surgeon and the hospital staff made the procedure such a positive experience for him that it relieved a great deal of his stress.
Prostate cancer is a difficult experience to go through.
Although the prostate cancer was first and foremost about my husband's life, it would be the two of us who would have to fight this disease, both on our own and as a couple. One thing every spouse needs to do is to educate herself about prostate cancer. Get all the information you can so you are on the same page as your doctor and can ask intelligent questions. Communication is critically important, also. Even though he may never verbalize it to you, understand that your man is going through an extremely emotional time, with so many conflicting and oftentimes dark thoughts racing through his mind throughout the waking hours.