Husband just diagnosed

Hi Nancy 

Always a difficult one, surgery or RT.

Surgery is over fairly quickly with some side effects which can sometimes be long lasting particularly ED and urinary issues.

Radiotherapy is over in a few weeks with potentially fewer long term side effects, ED probably less of an issue, maybe no issue after treatment is over.

Only problem with RT can be the hormone  therapy which runs for sometime before RT starts and for some time after it finishes although sometimes it can finish sooner.

There can be some side effects with the HT which will hopefully end when HT finishes.

See what others say and take your time, I see you have an appointment. Re the RT in a few days so talk it thru with the specialists then 

Best wishes

Steve

Hi

Its a tough decision deciding on which way to go, many on here have had the surgery, also many have gone the way of robotic surgery or just radiotherapy and hormone tablets or injections. Some have had side effects from the surgery and the radiotherapy, I know this is telling you nothing that you might have read, but the thing is he’s young and curable, so whatever you decide he will do well. 
As regards your children, I told everyone in my family, mind you I’m incurable they were all upset, but 100% behind me and my wife, who is now my carer. 
stay safe

Joe

Hi Joe   

Thank you for your reply,  I really appreciate it. Your right, my husband is so lucky to be young and curable. I'm really sorry you're in a different position. I hope that you and your family are OK and I'm glad you have got the support.

Hi, 

Similar boat here with my dad except he is 71 and his lesion was a pirads 5. T3a which means its just broken out of prostate gland, but as far as we know no spread otherwise. Still waiting biopsy results to see how aggressive it is. 

With regards to treatment, in my anxiety ridden state I've done a lot of reading and you basically just have to weigh up the pros and cons of each. Surgery doesn't necessarily mean the cancer won't come back, but then side effects of the HT and RT can effect everyone differently. With HT, he will gain weight so recommended to be in good physical health before doing either option. 

It's a major surgery and he will have a catheter for 3 weeks. I know if my dad is offered surgery, he won't be happy about that at all, it depends how your husband feels about the potential aftermath of the surgery. But he is young and will no doubt recover well from any treatment.

Just look at pros and cons and decide together what you both think is best.

Sending hugs, I know it's a scary time x

Hello,

We’re in our seventies and my husband had a Gleason score of 7 a year ago. He chose to have brachytherapy, which seems to have worked well.

Hi,

Thanks so much for your reply. I'm sorry about your Dad and I hope he's bearing up OK.

I am trying to read as much as I can, until today I didn't realise that the radiation therapy has to be with hormone therapy too. We received his appointment today for bone scan in 2 weeks time which is good to know.

Thanks again and take care x

Hello Nancy, When I was diagnosed in August the Urologist gave me the choice of surgery or radiotherapy / hormone therapy (monthly prostap injection) but I would need a bone scan. Bone scan showed the cancer had gone into my ileac bone so surgery was out of the equation. I had decided anyway to plumb for radiotherapy / hormone injections. The radiotherapy regime (6weeks) was ok as long as you followed the advice from radiologists. Hormone side effects have been troublesome especially hot flushes and sweats and fatigue. I wrote down questions to ask as inevitably you forget in the consultation. I also have a cancer co-ordinator who has been very helpful in answering questions or arranging stuff for patients. As for family I told both our children as soon as I was diagnosed and they have been great with my daughter raising money during 'March the month' last September (£700) for Prostate cancer. She wanted to focus on 'doing something.' Hope all goes well for your husband and your family, take care. Best wishes, Graham.