No news - is it good news? I don't think so.......

3 minute read time.
Well now - I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth. It's just that I have nothing much to tell - even tonight (Tuesday) nothing has changed. I still feel quite well (which must be good), I still have a job (which must be good) and I've just had a nice meal (which must be good). So, Dr Freud, does that mean that all is good? I'm not sure. Don't get me wrong - I'm nowhere near as low as I was last week. Nothing like it, at all. In fact, I feel really happy about life (and that's mostly thanks to you folks and your comments and PMs, which still keep coming. Thank You) My headache is that I haven't heard from the Consultant (Don't be stupid, man. You had the scan Thursday and it's only Tuesday night now. What do you expect?) Yes - I know. But.......does that mean that I'm not as bad as was first thought? The biopsy was positive - OK. But the MRI scan may have produced less important results, perhaps? So I drop down the list, in favour of more urgent cases. I'm all for that. There must be hundreds of people in the Salisbury catchment area, worse off than me. But...... (Yes, I know you all know what's coming........) That doesn't really help me, does it? They are really odd - the thoughts that are spinning around in my head. Let me try and explain. This time last year, I was a hulking great beast, full of life and thoroughly enjoying myself. Then, I went to my GP in October, because I didn't feel quite right. (What the heck does that mean, you fool?) Well, I didn't feel in October 2008, the way I felt in - say - April 2008. Strange but true! After a few tests and balances - and that awful Trans-Rectal Ultrasound, my world was gently flipped around a couple of weeks ago, by a lovely Clinical Nurse called Billy ( a lady called Billy?), who softly explained that the biopsies showed Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer. She gave me loads of information, papers, booklets and so on, then told me that the MRI scan would tell far more. The next evening, my GP called. He had heard my news and, if there was anything I needed to know - or if I had any questions - I only had to telephone the Health Centre. Wow! How's that for service? But now - it's all gone quiet. (Hell's Teeth, you idiot. Give them a chance to look at the scans.) Do you see where I'm at? I know there is nothing that can be done. Nothing anyone can say or do - but I think the main reason for this post is to try and help others who feel ...... let down (?).....by the system. You see, I know that I will be looked after. I have no doubts about that - Salisbury is fantastic and I'm very lucky to be with them. I know that if there is anything badly wrong, they will contact me. I know that I will be cured of this beast - one way or the other - before very much longer. Yes - I'm being positive. But, can you see how easy it is to ......want.......need.......more support? And that, for me, is where this site comes in. To all of the long-term members of the site, I say a huge THANK YOU. Thank you for being there, thank you for listening to Newbies like me and thank you for sharing your own long Journey. To all the newly-joined members - no matter if it's about you, a relative, loved one, partner - this site will be a fantastic source of love, comfort and, above all, knowledge. (Although I did watch a video of a prostatectomy using the da Vinci robotic system - and I'm not sure I should have done....!!!!!!!!!) Thank you for reading this far..........more on me as soon as I know. Much love Steve
Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Steve,

    the waiting is truely the worst part, anyone of us will tell you that.  Salisbury has a great reputation (I live near Bath) I'm sure they will be doing the best for you.  Try not to stress too much...easier said than done I know.  Fingers crossed for you mate, thinking of you!

    Indie xxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Steve.

    Be careful what you wish for.  As you know from our PMs, similar to yourself, I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.  Had a meeting with my consultant today.  Really nice person who was empathetic yet informative, took his time to explain everything and confirm that I understood the stage of cancer and possible courses of treatment.  The biopsy diagnosis is a high Gleason score but localised.  The MRI happened yesterday, the MRI team indicated the report would be available to the consultant in 2 weeks.  He however was able to fast-track the report within 24 hours.  The good news is that there is no evidence, from the MRI, that the cancer has advanced outside the prostate.  A bone scan hopefully will confirm that secondaries are not present.

    I now realise that the focus shifts from not knowing, to knowing a lot more.  At this stage all they can do is advise treatment pathways, the decision as to which treatment plan that is chosen is now determined by me.  Radiotherapy vs prostatectomy and the question-mark over long term side effects.  I was pleased to hear that if I choose surgery then my consultant will use laparoscopy rather than open surgery.  I also have a meeting with a clinical oncology consultant next week to get a perspective on radiotherapy.  A decision will have to be made by 14th May.

    Interesting my most pressing concern this evening was arranging travel insurance, now that I have a known medical condition.  Information from the forum about travel insurance was exceptionally helpful in getting a reasonable quotation.

    I hope you get a meeting with your consultant and that the news is good.  

    Best wishes

    John