The wait goes on.....
Not sure of the point of the 62-day target between the referral and start of cancer treatment. Mine passed on 28 September and I still can't committment to a date for my robotic prostatectomy.
I contacted PALS at my treating hospital and as they didn't even acknowledge my concern after 14 days, I took my concern to the treatment commissioning board.
I got an apology for the missed 62-day target yesterday and told my surgery might be the end of December or January.
The delay and lack of any timescale is causing me anxiety. Whilst I am only stage 2, the biopsy showed cribriform architecture, hence the need for radical treatment and not just active surveillance.
A backlog has built up at my treating hospital and this appears the cause of the delay which could take me to six months post referral. Whilst I can't fault the service provided by the urology team, I had to raise my concern with the commissioning board as it just doesn't feel right that you are told you need surgery, but then there is an apparent open-ended delay as to when the surgery will be listed.
I was offered a further appointment with a consultant but I didn't think it right to take up time when they already have a backlog. Anyway, what can the consultant say? I'm sure he/she won't or can't guarantee that I am not being put at risk by the delay and therefore my anxiety isn't going to go away.
Every twinge, pain or new sensation below the waist scare the heck out of me as I fear the cancer might spread.
Family history - I am one of 5 siblings. Eldest sister died of throat cancer in 2021. Younger sister has a brain tumour. Two elder brothers - younger of the two had his prostate removed about 15 years ago due to prostate cancer. Eldest brother diagnosed with bowel cancer same day I was told I have prostate cancer. Despite his age (79) he's had surgery and is recovering.
I wonder if this exposure to cancer has made me more twitchy and less resiliant.
