Wednesday morning, I go to see the consultant to discuss my recent PSA results. I have had these in advance of the appointment and they show two consecutive rises. Most people will look at my results 0.04 at eight months and 0.07 at 12 months, and think what is all the fuss about, Including my surgeon. The problem is, I have two routes for advice, The first being my cancer nurse specialist and the second being support forums like this and prostate cancer UK. I have also read hundreds and hundreds of articles. The consensus seems to be that although the numbers are very small, they do need addressing. My problem is the anger I feel for the consultant who for whatever reason did not tell me about the perineural invasion in my core biopsies, I only found out 10 after my prostatectomy. The advice I have received from prostate cancer UK is that I should have spoken to my consultant as a matter of urgency but when I tried to set this up my CNS basically basically blocked my access to him. From what I have read perineural invasion means that nerve sparing surgery is more of an issue in relation to a recurrence. I am a gambler. I like a bet on the horses and the occasional night at the casino., I do not take bets with my life So if I had been made aware of the paraneural invasion, I would definitely have said no to nerve sparing in surgery. The biopsy results from the prostate showed positive margins, No doubt contributed to buy the nerve sparing surgery and the presence of perineural invasion. I have discussed the situation with my GP who advised a second opinion and a discussion with pals. This was also the suggestion from Milibob who I have relied on quite heavily during my journey so far. I have also read that even though my figures are low an appointment with an oncologist is a good idea. If my surgeon suggests wail and see I do not know how I will cope?
I am struggling and I am worried that my anger will make it impossible to discuss future treatments rationally.
I have set up an appointment with Pals and for a second opinion, but in reality what good are they to me now??
I go over this time and time gain to the point I am unable, to sleep and am being a right old grump as I can’t think bout nothing else.
