16th January:
So much has happened so quickly that I have to remind myself that is was only 17 days ago that I received my cancer diagnosis.
OK - so, all my medics are singing from the same song sheet. Their recommendation for treatment is hormone therapy plus a course of Radiotherapy. My own research points in the same direction too. Of course, the more reading you do, the more outliers and opinions you come across. Eventually, however, I believe that you have to say to yourself, "Do I trust my medical team?". After all, they are the professionals and they are helping people through this maze all day, every day. Aside from the people involved, the facilities and equipment at my local hospital seem as up to date and as good as anywhere in the UK. Also, they participate in elective clinical trials, when available.
My prognosis is for a good outcome, the pathway is "curative". I am feeling cautiously positive. (My stats are in my bio).
Like everyone else, I have been loaded up with information. Booklets and pamphlets to read, websites to visit, support groups to join and of course my own dear old brain chiming in with all the how, why, when and what-ifs. Luckily, my wife is very supportive and willing to talk things through without bias.
I did momentarily consider the Radical Prostatectomy route on the basis of (as surgeons might say) "If in doubt, whip it out" and be done with it. Except of course, it's not that simple. In reality, "you pays your money and you takes your choice". We're all looking for the best possible outcome given our circumstances and it seems to me that whichever treatment route you take, the real question is which set of side and after effects do you think you can best tolerate?
Well, I have decided on my treatment pathway. The catalogue of potential side effects, long and short term are well documented. I might be lucky and get just a few or I might get the lot. Time will tell. Like everyone in this "club", I would much rather not be having to make these decisions at all.
So, tomorrow I start taking Bicalutamide tablets in preparation for the initial HT treatment injection in a week's time (Decapeptyl or Zoladex). Exactly when I will start the RT is not yet confirmed but it's at least 3 months away and probably longer.
Right now, I am still undecided as to whether or not to go on the PACE NODES trial .............. 
More questions, more decisions ...........
More to follow .............
