My Prostate Cancer News

Hi Kayjay, sorry to hear your news. Please don’t panic!  We panicked when we were told my husbands diagnosis and felt it was the end of the world! I then went into 6 months of constant tears and thinking it was the end of the world….but it’s not!

first of all, you need to know what the MRI scan showed your staging - it will give figures for T ( tumour) N ( lymph nodes) M ( metastases - secondaries) and your biopsy Gleason score. You will probably have had a bone scan, too?  

the fact that you are being offered surgery suggests that your cancer is considered curable.

the next thing to do is your research. Try looking at https://prostatecanceruk.org. They have lots of downloadable information files. On these you can look at the different treatment options and potential side effects - surgery is not the only option!

my husband opted for radiotherapy and hormone therapy. We were so frightened of the dire side effects but the whole thing has not been as bad as we were warned to expect although everyone seems to be affected differently. He absolutely did not want surgery!

and, radiotherapy now behind us we are slowly picking up the threads of normal life and planning holidays…..and discussing the possibility of a new car!!! We are determined to live life to the full!  You, too, can get through this - just hang on in there and read some of the inspirational stories told by some very brave people on this forum

…..and, let us know how you get on and whether we can help you get through this

oh, and please remember, prostate cancer is often very slow growing so you don’t have to make a decision today!

I understand everything you say Kayjay, it's never easy when first diagnosed and also the issues when considering  surgery.

Some more stats would be helpful.

Have they not talked about Radiotherapy because that is a good alternative to surgery with potentially fewer side effects.

Best wishes

Steve 

Hi Kayjay - welcome to the club - I know it's where you don't want to be but you are in the right place for support. Worried wife above has said what needs to be said and I agree 100% with her - I can't put more into it apart from:

* It's a slow growing cancer - it's been found and you are looking at the various way to resolve the issue - take your time and research all the options open to you and ask questions, both of your medical team and people here who have "been there and done that".

* Sone of us have charted our *journey*, we are all different but if you click on the icon of the beach you can see where I have been. I didn't have  the option of surgery - other have and have done well.

Keep us posted, ask anything - we are with you on this - don't let he worry and confusion get to you.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Kayjay, look at the various options, I looked at surgery had a consultation with the surgeon then one with the radiotherapy consultant. I chose radical radiotherapy 20 sessions following one hormone injection. At the start of the radiotherapy my PSA was 16 Gleason score 3+4 my PSA nine months later 1.4. Side effects mainly fatigue. I have some ED issues but I can live with those. I was apprehensive about the Radiotherapy

I did Google it and found two excellent videos on YouTube one from the John Radcliffe NHS Trust at Oxford the other from the Plymouth NHS Trust following the journey of two patients. 
Going through radiotherapy my issue was drinking the water making sure I was fully hydrated and tracing an 80 mile round trip however a bottle and towel became essential travelling ac you all the very best for the future.

Best wishes 

Kim

What to do is a personal decision, albeit maybe not easy. When I first heard I had PC, before even talking about options I had decided on a RP. I just wanted it out, also if it came back, I could still have RT, whereas it does not work the other way around. Incontinence is a nuisance, but after time we learn to live with it and for 98% it resolves, ED, likewise if nerve sparing surgery performed.. My view was I did not like the thought of the side effects, but the alternative was a lot worse. I am 6 month post and still have ti problem, can take a year to resolve, keep doing the exercises. I have a friend for whom the incontinence did not resolve, and the ED did . Another friend the incontinence resolved and the ED did not. It has not had a serious effect on their lives.

Robotic or open, makes no difference to the outcome, only the skill of the surgeon, other than one heals fast than the other. I had open and could walk up stairs two days after surgery, no pain med from the 2nd day. Back to my normal activities.This is something that is in the back of ones mind, but we must not let it become who we are, just something we have to deal with.

Hi Kayjay.

Take a look at my journey, described on my profile. There is considerable hope, trust me.

HH

Hi I’ve had surgery, they need to advice possible side effects doesn’t mean it will happen, same as crossing the road could mean you get run over, generally I was okay after surgery (don’t forget most on here are either new or unfortunately like me are further on) Ed has treatment and having pc entitles to best treatment I.e viagra etc. ensure you do kegal exercises and incontinance is a minor risk especially in comparison to cancer. I’m generally okay regarding incontinance although being on hormone therapy ed cannot be avoided 

Hi Kayjay

My husband is on the same journey and has his surgery booked for this coming Saturday  -15/4/23 (see my bio for details). All I can say is that we both felt surgery was the best option for him as it still allows RT afterwards if needed, but surgery is generally not an option as a back up the other way round. It is of course completely a personal decision though and both routes have their pros and cons. he is also only in his 50s and feels completely normal. It was a bolt from nowhere for us. 

I wish you the best in whatever you decide and can definitely say that this forum is full of some very helpful, kind and empathic people