Next Steps

Hi !

A short comment back. I think with your low grade prostate cancer I think they actually mean Active Surveillance and not Watchful Waiting as they have offered you active treatment as well with radiation or prostatectomy.

i Will be reading more of your posts but I just noticed this and you definitely sound like a candidate that also might be on AS.

Best wishes - Ulf

You are, of course quite right, the one of the triology of offers  was AS, my layperson speak in haste! Very many thanks.

Hello RodR 

A warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Prostate Community - although I am so sorry to find you here.

It's a hard choice to make treatment (I didn't have a choice!!) so I always tell folk to make a list of the pros and cons of each treatment as to how they affect you - not anyone else - you. Do your research using trusted sources, here and Prostate Cancer UK (not Dr Google) and ask us questions, although reading between the lines you are sure which way you are going.

As for the catheter, nothing to worry about there, I had one for over 10 months with no issues. It's bit strange at first but it's fine. (You can read my journey by clicking on my avatar or name).

I hope the above helps. Fire away with any questions - however trivial, we are all happy to help.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi !

Good to clear that out 

Regarding treatment, in the end after evaluation of possible side effects you like all of us will have the treatment that feels right for you, also with good support of the medical team working with you.

You have a lot of treatment options with curative intent to,choose from. I know there are some very good profiles in this forum that can give you their prostatectomy stories with pros and cons, how everything have worked out and lots of tips and trix on how to help out best in your recovery and with the cancer hopefully gone ones and for all after your treatment.

Then of course if you want to have some experience / real time stories of the radiation treatment pathways there are equally good profiles in this forum (for example Millibob) giving you equally good experiences from there different types of radiation treatment modalities that you might have for your low grade prostate cancer; of course also with curative intent.

Best wishes - Ulf

HiRodR and welcome from a wife. When men are first diagnosed I usually point them in the direction of a book they can download for free which gives a bit more information on your treatment options so that you can have a more informed conversation with the experts as there are different types of surgery along with different types of radiotherapy. It is a very personal decision and you have time to make the decision which feels right for you and your partner. Do your list of pros and cons for each treatment modality and then decide what you can live with. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will get back to you.

From a wife's point of view can I ask you to make sure your partner is coping ok as this is very much a couples disease which can have a significant effect on both of you.

https://issuu.com/magazineproduction/docs/js_prostate_cancer_guide_for_patients_ezine

That’s a very good point as my wife seems to be struggling sometimes more than me as I’m usually focused on h my health and fitness but she’s a strong Woman who will carry me through at the final curtain (sorry for the pun) Robert

Everyone tells me I am strong, including the doctors. Even so I still have wobbles when things can seem overwhelming. The effects can be insidious like not sleeping well which in my case led to high cholesterol and glucose levels which I decided to try and treat with intermittent fasting (it has worked to bring levels into the normal range), however the insomnia is still a real problem. Extra hugs and cuddles really helps plus ensuring that we don't bottle things up.

Hello Robert1 

Robert1 said:

as my wife seems to be struggling sometimes more than me

Just a reminder the support line is there for all and we can provide support for Mrs Robert1 if needed. Just give the support line a call on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm 7 days a week).

It's a known fact that 1 in 2 people who have cancer or cancer in the family struggle with their mental health.

I know you are battling cancer on two fronts but when I last checked on your profile things were going well - long may it continue.

Best wishes - Brian

Hi AH, the positivity you present here is fantastic and helps all of us! Forgive us if we have taken this for granted and overlooked your own ‘wobbles’.  I think all of us wives have such wobbles from time to time! I think, too, that this is allowed :) please know that, at times of your own’wobbles’ we are here for you just as you are here for us. You are not alone in your ‘wobbles’ . Thank you for your help in directing all of us to the right sources of info and your brilliant research efforts for all of us!

take care

Janet

Cheers Brian,Yes I have my moments too but this forum really helps and steadies me up again,we’ve both got a lot of support in place locally for when the time comes but the misses won’t look that far and that’s fine it’s her wee way off coping I’m ok with it and I’m ready hopefully not for a long time xx