QUE SARA SARA

Hi Brian.

sorry to hear this but your team are in it and will be rooting in the toolbox for you.

wishing you all the very best x

Millibob said:

I have had 3 years where I was unable to get my PSA down as low as others on HT

My dear Millibob Yes..  together with your presenting PSA, histology and the above, I was expecting this too, for the same reasons. HOWEVER, we both know that there are some exceptional tools in the box and - don’t forget - that your initial, straightforward hormone therapy jabs have not failed you : you simply reached the end of the initial 3 years on it. During that time, your quality of life has, of course, been diminished but not to the extent where you can’t still enjoy life, family, and holidays in your second home in Turkey, to the full.  Furthermore, your NHS team are proactive in ordering a PSMA PET scan - the best way to find out what’s going on - and this should show where the PSA is originating. I’m not raising your hopes without researched reasoning behind it - if the PSMA PET scan shows precisely the location, that can still be hit with radiotherapy.  Of course, you already know this.  It just takes your good friends on here to remind you of the facts, as you deal with the emotional fallout from receiving the news.  Come on, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and laugh in the face of the devil. You’ve proved yourself so many times before so we know that you’re strong enough. Onwards.  AW

Hi Brian,

I know that you had pretty much resigned yourself to this but, now, as you said yourself, they are going to find out where the little buggers are hiding, and do them in properly. It's another hurdle, but one within your capacity to jump.

The toolbox still available to you is fearsome indeed, and, looking online, Christie's reputation is equal to or even exceeds the big London hospitals that get so much of the praise. 

Interesting thought for you, though not directly related. The grandson of one of my friends at Church had a brain tumour. He was in his late teenage years. He studied well enough to get good grades on his 'A' levels, but was not well enough to go forward to University. UCLH in London took on his case, and said they were going to help him. They told him that they were going to go to town on him, and make him really miserable for a year. Once the chemo was done, there would be radiotherapy. They told him that, at the end of the year, he would be able to put this behind him and go to Uni.

He was up for that, and went through it like the hero he is. At the end of the chemo, the tumour had shrunk significantly, but was now in a place that was really difficult to reach. They were concerned about following through with the radiotherapy because an even more accurate treatment was required.

This was at the time that proton beam therapy was being introduced. UCLH had the facilities but not the experience, so he was packed off to Christies where he was treated.

He did well. I think he is about to leave University. Not sure if he has sobered up yet.

It's a good hospital. It is a toss up whether you are in the best hands in the UK, or the second best (Royal Marsden might wish to argue) but you have a lot going for you.

Keep going my friend.

Wow! mstev2 - what a fantastic story and endorsement that is!!   AW

I'm really sorry to hear this Brian, but like others have said I think you knew this was coming. I watched my own PSA climb very slowly for about 2 years and by the time I needed more treatment it was around 8 years past initial diagnosis and RT/HT so I got off lightly by comparison. However it's far from easy to see it coming before it inevitably hits you.

The PSMA scan should show exactly what's going on and should enable effective treatment to be targeted exactly where it's needed for a long term, hopefully still curative, solution. All is not lost by any means.

Let's see what happens, if you follow my path I'm more than happy to try to help with practical tips for dealing with it.

I wish you all the best for now, and will open another cold beer here in Lanzarote to toast your good health for many years to come.

Derek.

Hello Alpine Wanderer and mstev2 andDj manic and Hanandy 

Well an afternoon walk in the sunshine and a couple of pints of J W Lees's finest draught bitter and yes I am in a good place. Yes I knew this was on the cards and it's no surprise. 

Worried me? no - right from the start of my journey and the more I I have worked on the Community the more I was aware of this so - hey - ho  - lets carry on. Normal service is resumed.

Life is good, 4 children, an amazing wife 4 grand children, and a pad in Turkey - hell if Prostate Cancer thinks it's going to get me it better think again!!!

I will say the support from you lot is amazing - and yes I thank you all for it - but hey, let's carry on  - what we do is fantastic so I will keep you all posted with my scan results etc but lets carry on helping those who are less fortunate or who need our help and support.

Thanks again - Brian. - You are all 's.

Cheers Derek excavator 

Spot on with your post - as I said to you - possibly 12 months ago - I am watching you with interest because I feel I will be there at some point!!.

Have one for me!! (and enjoy it - life is too short!!) . and thanks for your post - be sure that once I get me results if I am heading down the same path as you I will be re-reading your blogs and having a word!!

Thanks you foe your message - it means so much - sometimes a little message means so much!!

Thanks again - Brian.

Hi Brian (Millibob ), just read your post and although not a great surprise it sure is disappointing.  Your attitude will get you through I am sure.  David

Hi David (David2017) 

It's part of life's rich tapestry - I thought it was coming and lo and behold it has. I am fine with it - it's just another part of the journey!

Thank you for your support -it's very much appreciated.

Kind Regards - Brian.

Millibob said:

It's part of life's rich tapestry - I thought it was coming and lo and behold it has. I am fine with it - it's just another part of the journey!

Hi Brian. Sorry to hear that but you have everyone here behind you as well as Lorraine, the children, grandchildren and dogs! Keep us abreast of your scans and good luck with everything.