I have been lucky in life having reached 70 without significant medical issues. However I think things are about to change. 18 months ago I started to experience problems with urinary flow and retention. My doctor thought I had an enlarged prostate and I had a PSA blood test which came back as normal. I was put on Tamsulosin and Finasteride and told to return if symptoms got worse. In the last couple of months the frequency of toilet visits have increased, so I asked for another PSA test. This came back with the same score, but this time the doctor arranged for an MRI scan. I had this last Thursday and was surprised to get a phone call on Friday from a urology consultant who apologised that he was going on holiday but he had to tell me the MRI scan showed significant abnormallities with a score of T3 / T4 for prostate cancer. He said he would arrange for an urgent biopsy and would arrange to meet his team once he returned from holiday.
Now 48 hours after this phone call I have started to Google this information (probably not the best idea) and am now awake at 03:00 wondering what is in store for me. Can anyone advise me about the sorts of questions I should ask, when I meet the consultant next? Anyone got any suggestions on how to return to normal sleeping patterns and reduce anxiety levels? How does one support a very anxious wife who has seen a complete personality change in their anxious and depressed husband?
Thanks, Chris
Hello Chris (Chris126)
A warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Community, although I am so sorry to find you here in these circumstances. I am Brian one of the Community Champions here and I am in the fourth year of my personal Prostate Cancer journey,
The Community is divided up into various cancer specific groups or forums and to meet with others on the same or similar journey I would advise you to join the Prostate Cancer group - here's the link you need:-
When you click on the link and the page opens up, just click on "join" on the black banner at the bottom of the page. Once you have joined us, why not introduce yourself in the "New Here - Say Hello" section of the group. You can do this by either copying and pasting or reposting your original post. You are assured of a warm welcome and plenty of replies.
Two points I would make now are:
^ Avoid Dr Google - for information use trusted sources, Macmillan, Prostate Cancer UK and Cancer Research UK.
* 98% of men with a Prostate Cancer diagnosis die WITH it not OF it.
I hope this helps and look forward to "meeting" you again in "our" part of the Community.
Best wishes - Brian.
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