HT and RT following a prostatectomy

Hello Whittaker . The statistics are that between 25 and 45% of men have to have salvage radiotherapy and hormone therapy following a radical prostatectomy. The risk of needing it tend to depend on the higher up the T scale you are, whether there any risk factors on the biopsy report, the expertise of the surgeon, initial PSA....

Hi thank you for the info not good statistics.   If we had known he was T3b when we decided on the op as against RT and with those percentages we might have opted for RT but they said he was T2b.  Anyway water under thr bridge we are where we are.  Just hoping his side effects from HT and RT are nit too bad.  Not looking forward to 6.5 weeks every weekday at the hospital and the parking charges are ridiculous but needs must.

Regarding parking charges, I've had two separate courses of chemo and one of RT carried out at two different hospitals and in all cases parking was free for patients undergoing these treatments. It's worth asking next time you go.

I hope the treatment goes well and is a complete success.

Derek.

Hi thank you we will ask.  Looks like the treatment will be in Preston

Hello Whittaker,

As far as I am aware, Government policy is that hospital trusts should ensure that where someone has to attend an outpatient appointment on a regular basis (memory says 3 times a month upwards) then parking should not be charged.  

When I was having my RT treatment last year at Derriford Hospital Plymouth, I was given a slip of paper each day with a code that had to be input at the exit barrier for free parking.  I could either pick this up from a reception desk in the main foyer or from the RT department reception desk.  It was one less thing to worry about, & a real bonus when the appointments were running late.

If you have a look at the hospitals own web site you should be able to check their policy, otherwise make sure you ask about it next time you are there.

Best Wishes

Brian

Thanks again we definitely will as its nearly £7 a day at Preston Rosemere Centre

Hello Whittaker 

I agree with Brian Buzzers - I was "zapped" at Christies in Oldham - we had a gated car park for the Radiotherapy unit and we were given the code.

One other option which I often use when visiting Salford Royal where parking is to say the least impossible is I use a "Parking App" - I rent someone's drive 200 yards from the hospital £4 for 4 hours - I know I have a space and no worries about parking and being late.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thank you Brian I will look into that if we can't get a pass 

Hi hubby having a wobble and talking about not having the HT and salvage RT.  The oncologist did say that it could be upto 10 years before it may spread to bones hubby is 68 and quite healthy but I am not convinced. PSA level has gone down slightly to 0.25. He has an ache in his shoulder which they don't think is connected but i have asked for a hone scan to be sure. This to be discussed at next appointment on 7th January when he has to let them know what he has decided to do.  I could persuade him to have the treatment but am frightened of doing the wrong thing as i wanted him to have the original op thinking it would be gone and obviously that hasnt happened.  Has anyone else made the  decision not to do anything else after recurrence following a prostatectomy?.  Apologies for going on but I am worried to death 

Hello Whittaker,

I'm afraid I can't answer your direct question because I decided to go for treatment on recurrence. However, I do know exactly what it feels like to wobble, as I did with distinction.

I had 3 options for 2nd line treatment (my profile has details) and I wobbled several times before making my final decision after much debate with my wife. You have until 7th January to decide so a while to deliberate yet.

I don't know but suspect hubby's 2nd line treatment is still with curative intent? If that's the case then personally I would go for that whilst it's available. It's one thing a consultant saying it might be 10 years before it spreads to bones but there's no guarantee of anything in this game.

All the best,

Derek.