Stressing

Hi !

Of course statistics having intraductal carcinoma, cribriform and PNI comes with worse statistics recurrence and so on. But you also have to remember that radiation therapy and other modalities have come a long way, with much higher precision and the possibility to boost dosage where best needed. Not to forget adding hormone therapy and perhaps also 2d gen drugs as Well, creating extremely hostile environment for the cancer to survive in.

So, yes it’s a cancer form that is more aggresive but I also think today that with double / triple therapies the results are much better even if having aggresive forms of cancer.

Anyway, best of luck and kick the cancer into total submission

Hi Darksal - if you are Gleason 3-4, you are in the early stages of prostate cancer (histology is king, is my mantra). The 4 element is only just getting going and the introduction of this element is the bit that’s aggressive : BUT it’s only just got going.  Interestingly, for a 3-4, you’re having 37 doses of 2Gy of radiotherapy - this will be 74Gy to the whole pelvic area, so your team are taking a thorough & cautious approach.  The term “throwing the kitchen sink at it” springs to mind. You will be fine.  AW

I suspect a lot of men diagnosed with PC do as you did, search online for information, but it can lead you off course very easily, full of gloom and doom.

It's hard not to be inquisitive but our modern communication systems can be as bad as they are good.

Restless nights with my mind churning things over just made me feel even lower.

But there is a lot of support out there, this group, Maggie's at my hospital and now after treatment a monthly meeting set up by our NHS, Macmillan and Maggie's has worked wonders for my mental health.

Keeping myself occupied works takes away the streets of sitting worrying.

In the early spring last year I purchased the bricks and timber to rebuild my huge shed workshop, 28 boards of Osb3 weigh in at over 30kg, twelve bags of motor 54 concrete block, easy peasy. Then a fall down the icy steps,which hurt my leg saw me visit my doctor, a visit that led on to them discovering I had PC , so the rest of last year was taken up with treatment for my PC, radiotherapy and hormone treatment hit me hard.

Today a year after having my first hormone injection followed by the  radiotherapy has left me feeling very weak, but half my shed is coming along fine, I sleep better and don't worry so much.

My partner tells me not to lift anything too heavy,  a 12 kg bag of dogs food leaves me exhausted.

But I do have a secret weapon on my side, I still ride a motorcycle, I told my doctor that when I'm out on it I feel like I'm 17 again, he smiled, his only comment was be careful.

After 60 years riding one I'm still trying to be careful.

Things do get better, I didn't think so last year, but with the care of the NHS, GP the organisation that I mentioned above and most of all my family I have come through what was a very bad experience for me, I discovered that I am as vulnerable as everyone else.

Cyril

Hello Darksal 

The one thing on a Prostate Cancer journey you don't want to do (I know it's easy) is to start using Dr Google. "Stuff" there is old, wrong or just outdated, never mind the amazing cures.

Just think in simple terms, - there's no spread, your bone scan is clear and you are on a "curative pathway". The HT has put the cancer to sleep. The RT will kill it off. job done.

Darksal said:

In stressing

We all worry about our treatment and if you need that extra bit of help and support please do call the Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm 7 days a week) they can help you. 

If you have a "Maggie's" near you just drop by for a brew and a chat - this is a cancer support charity - link here:

Maggie's.

I hope this helps, if I can do anything for you please do drop me a message.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thank you. Really appreciate your response.

Thank you. Dr gave me the option so I asked for the entire pelvic area. which to me was a deciding factor in choosing my treatment path.

Thank you . That is reassuring.

Thank you. I really appreciate your advice.