Ongoing treatment, recent channel TURP and feeling alone.

Hello Graeme (Graeme ) 

Welcome back - I remember you posting just before Christmas when you didn't have your full diagnosis. Well it looks like things have progressed, you have a full diagnosis and treatment is in full swing. Having to deal with cancer and the side effects of the treatment is bad enough but having no family for support can't help.

Here's a few ideas to help you (and to help us to help you)

* How about detailing your journey on your profile (you can read mine by clicking on my name or avatar). To do this on your home page click on the green round disc top right, then "profile" then "edit". Once you have written something remember to save it - once we have more details about you we can tailor our replies to you.

* On the cancer chat group there's a general chat thread - here's the link to it:

 Awake and up all night 

Even though it's called "Awake and Up all Night" there's always someone to chat to - they may have other cancers but it's a general chat thread - I put some pictures of my greyhound up this afternoon for example.

* Would you like your own personal Macmillan "Buddy" to chat to once a week - you can chat about anything - here's the link you need:

Macmillan Buddies Service.

* There are other Support services out there too - "Maggies", Andy's Man Club and Men's Sheds to name a few.

Another option is to keep this thread going by telling us a little more about yourself - your rough location (not your address) your occupation, your interests etc - we are all happy to chat and some of us have hidden talents - it's amazing what people have done once a conversation starts.

You are not alone here - this is the prostate family - and it's a great band of brothers (and some sisters).

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Millibob,

Thank you for the reply.

Indeed you are correct I did post when I first started down this path.

I have updated my profile with my diagnosis journey and will further update it with my current treatment 

I  have also completed the Buddies application as I think this would be good for me as I feel I just don't have anybody to talk to.

I will also look at Awake and Up All Night.

Kind regards

Graeme

Thanks for the reply Graeme (Graeme ) 

I have met a couple of "the Buddies" and they are dedicated to helping - if I didn't spend as much time on the online Community and a couple of other Macmillan off line projects I would have undertaken the Buddy Training.

I had issues with my flow and the TURP operation sorted me out - as I had an indwelling catheter for 10 months before the TURP I had to learn to wee again!!

If you post anything on this thread - it's open to all the Community so you may well get replies from other members - I wish you well moving forward.

Do let us know how you get on with "your Buddy".

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Graeme

I hope you find the extra support that you need from Brian's excellent suggestions. Although it is my husband who has PC I have found posting and reading here  a real help in navigating his journey so far.

i just wanted to say that in many ways your story is similar to his. He also went to his GP about numerous trips to the loo in the night as well as problems in the day. His PSA was 57. His MRI showed a suspicious area in the transition zone mostly on the right but wrapping round to the left. The subsequent biopsy showed Gleason 9 (4+5). He too had a PSMA PET scan but luckily this was clear for spread. However, due to the highly aggressive nature of his cancer, he was put on HT injections for 6 months to be followed by radical Radiotherapy, to include seminal vesicles and abdominal lymph nodes. He will start this in the middle of May.

Like you, he had to have a channel TURP a month ago and I must say it has really improved things for him! 

As I say there are a lot of similarities to yourself and if there is anything you want to ask or compare please feel free to do so

Wishing you all the luck in the world with your journey.

Karen