Newly Diagnosed. Upset, angry and terrified

Hi J

I assume you are still T3a which means just escaped the gland but Def still potentially curable.

I would go for RT and HT but hopefully starting HT as soon as possible to prevent further spread.

Have they suggested starting on HT soon?

I understand the anxiety but when u start on a treatment plan u should start feeling better.

All the best

Steve 

Hi Steve. Appreciate the reply. I just keep thinking my life's over. It's a really horrible dark place. I'm waiting for appointments with the 2 consultants to discuss each option. I'm told Radiologist is 4 weeks away. I guess 4 weeks should be a risk given my PSA stayed at 5.3 for a year (I Hope!). I've sent you a friendship request. Regards, John

Hi John

Haven't used the friends section before but I have accepted if that is wot I was supposed to do.

Any queries just ask away but I would try and get on the HT as soon as u can, not that keen on the non urgency that they are putting out there

In my mind ,T3a is one of those critical junctures, u need to keep it there with the HT to begin with 

Regards 

Steve 

Hello JPMG, I hear and recognise your pain!. I had a really bad depressive episode some 20 years ago. I know it’s a horrible place to be. I summed it up as being at the bottom of a very deep, black hole of despair.

if you have just started the sertraline, you need to be aware that there may be about a 6 week delay before your mood begins to lift. Just have a bit of patience with yourself and just hang on in there. The pain you feel right now will subside. As sure as night follows day, you will get out of this. Please believe me! If I could do it, so can you! 

I hope having the counselling will help you come to terms with this diagnosis and all that has happened and is happening in your life.  I found exploring my childhood quite difficult and disturbing but, when I emerged, blinking in the sunlight, I realised that I was a much stronger person for the experience - just as I hope you will!

in the meantime, keep reaching out to all those both here and around you who can give you the support, reassurance and hope that you need. You can and will get through this bad patch even though you are doubting this right now.

Hello John.

I see that you are beginning to think about your options which is good. Your main goal is to get rid of the cancer with a technique which will give you the best quality of life afterwards. Can I suggest you view this video which will help give you some perspective on this. It can maybe help you to realise that there are choices beyond just surgery or radiotherapy and give you an idea of some questions you need to ask the experts.

https://youtu.be/ryR6ieRoVFg?si=8TrBGl7ZHJ9jbdJ6

What comes across very strongly is that the outlook is very good for men like you who have a choice in the first place.

I feel your pain mate, when I failed my medical 3 times in the fire service and had to retire on a pension I went into severe depression, it is black bottomless and you feel no hope, Honestly if it was not for family I could have ended it all, it was honestly worse than my cancer diagnosis, I started to listen and read books by eckhart tolle, honestly got me out of the black hole I was sinking in to. 

WW. I had to come off the sertraline. It was making me really bad

Hi John, I didn’t want to say anything to you, but I had to come off it too! Has your doctor prescribed an alternative or are you managing without?

I hope you are feeling a bit better today?

Hi. I was on it for 7 days and I had the worst 2 days ever on Monday and Tuesday. My whole body was tingling, my head throbbing, speech a little slurred and couldn’t concentrate on anything. Panic attacks. I had to stop. I do feel a bit better today. I’m going to try and beat this without medication. I still have anxiety, why me? Cancer! Why me? Anger and a feeling of loss of the life I had before diagnosis. So feelings of low mood and gloom is still there WW. Your words and those of others have been so helpful and supportive. Please keep it coming. I need it more than ever as I step closer to making my decision on pathway 

its an illness and medication works, great you are trying without it but if you need it  take it.