One year post op

Good morning - and in many ways it is a good morning, because your treatment plan is identified, and you get your holiday in.

The combination of radiotherapy and hormone therapy is, statistically, as good as surgery.

With both you will, almost certainly, have at least kicked the cancer far enough into touch for other treatments to evolve.

I can't speak to the AUS but I can reassure you that although you WILL suffer from side effects, with your present attitude you will adapt quickly.

It is not likely to be as bad as you think.

Hi Al985 - I’ve just read your biography.  OMG what an awful story - almost a farce. The surgeon and his nurse practitioner should be ashamed.  The thing is that they fell in line with your natural instinct to “get it out” (which I often warn about), and offered you a “cancellation “ for a quick operation with no chance for you to properly consider the chances of success / side effects.  I’m so sorry to see this happening.  On the plus side, full pelvic radiotherapy (that’s what the 33 fractions will give you) should offer a great chance of cure.  AW

Hello Alan (Al985 ) 

Well you have moved from the "dark side" into the light. You have a consultant you can trust and the AUS is on.

Radiotherapy and ADT does have it's worries and side effects BUT with the AUS you are looking at a plan which should lead you to a "curative pathway" and resolve all of the issue you now face.

It's time to put the past into a box, lock it away and concentrate all your energy on keeping fit and the new treatments. You can do this and look forward to a great future with no more worries and regrets.

Best wishes - Brian.

To all the people that have responded, I am so grateful for your support.

To say the least  it has  not been easy. But dipping, into this forum every now and again, it gives me the strength to carry on, and for that.I say thank you.. When I spoke to the surgeon yesterday about having the AUS i explained that I was not prepared but aware of the possible side effects and issues that might arise. But if we had achieved any of the objectives that we set out with, then I would be in a better place. But literally everything failed. As you have all said, it's now time to look to the future. The new oncologist was absolutely amazing, she understood where I was coming from spending well over an hour with me and my wife  making sure I was comfortable and well informed.And that I was making the right decision. She insisted the holiday go ahead but arranged for me to see her on the Monday to siacuss my blood results which she expects to hit the magic 0.1 to allow the PET scan,  which she will arrange for when I get back.

Feeling positive for the first time in a long long time.

Al985

…. And that, my friend, is because you are now being properly and empathetically supported by the medical profession. AW