After a long time of frequent nightly visits to the toilet I finally made a doctors appointment in March to get this investigated. PSA score came back at 7.6, & after an MRI scan & biopsies prostate cancer was confirmed with a Gleason score of 4 + 3 = 7.
To my great relief, a bone scan confirmed the cancer hadn't spread outside the prostate, & after the Oncology appointment in early June, have been on Hormone therapy - daily Bicalutamide tablets & 3 monthly Decapeptyl injections.
I have opted for SABR radiotherapy which will involve a higher radiotherapy dose per session but mean far fewer sessions, namely 5 over a 2 week period. The planning session is booked for the beginning of August with the radiotherapy provisionally scheduled to start mid September.
Has anyone in the group had experience of SABR & any hints & tips they can share?
I must also add that I can't fault the professionalism of all the NHS staff I have come into contact with concerning this. They have all been extremely helpful, understanding, but most of all friendly which has made the whole journey much easier to deal with.
Thanks Buzzers and thanks Grundy for the information. I am slow online but I get there eventually 
Will certainly let you know how it all goes Grundo.
I always find the most stressful part of going to a hospital appointment isn't so much the journey (20+ miles each way), but more the struggle to find a parking slot 
Hi Buzzers
A couple of hints
* Check with your Radiotherapy department - some offer free parking for RT patients - mine at Christies Oldham had a gated car park for us.
* My wife has some appointments at Salford Royal - parking there is like wining the lottery. I use an app "Your Parking Space" (other apps are available) and as soon as her appointments come up we rent someone's drive for 4 hours in the morning across the road from the hospital. It's £5 - no looking for a space, just turn up and park.
I hope this helps.
Kind Regards
Brian.
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
Strength, Courage, Faith, Hope, Defiance, VICTORY.
I am a Macmillan volunteer.
Update.
Welt, it took me 3 attempts to complete my planning session & am now booked in for the first of 5 radiotherapy sessions over 2 weeks on the 13th September (fortunately it's not a Friday 
).
There were no problems with having an empty rectum, it was a full bladder that was causing the issue despite drinking 2 litres of water a day. Finally solved by drinking over 1 litre before leaving home for a 9 a.m. appointment & then another 1/2 litre when I got there (helped by my partner nagging me). By the time I had completed the preparation & than drunk the allocated 350 ml I was ready to pee for England.
I must admit that I was getting a little concerned as to how many attempts to pass they would allow me to have, so after passing I felt a wave of relief (in more ways than one) & celebrated with a coffee & doughnut.
I never used to drink anywhere near 2 litres of water a day (mainly tea & coffee) so initially found it difficult to do so, but each day it's getting easier so will continue doing so going forward.
Hi Brian
Well done - another step completed on your journey and you also have your dates for Radiotherapy.
* Keep up with the exercise and be aware that fatigue can sneak up on you during the treatment.
* Be aware that HT/RT can weaken your bone structure and check if you need to be prescribed Vitamin D/ Calcium tablets - often missed by oncology/GP.
Keep us posted with your progress.
Best wishes
Brian
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
Strength, Courage, Faith, Hope, Defiance, VICTORY.
I am a Macmillan volunteer.
