First Appointment with Oncologist Today

Hello Porthleven 

I can answer the Radiotherapy question. From diagnosis to Radiotherapy was almost exactly a year.  This was due to me having issues with "the waterworks" and waiting for a TURP operation so I no longer had the catheter.

Best wishes - Brian.

My radiotherapy was six months plus Christmas after my diagnosis.

The oncologist said it was to shrink everything and give the RT a better target. I was all for that.

I wouldn't worry about the 6 months. It seems to be relatively standard.

Thanks, that’s good to know. I understand that Abiraterone has only been available in England on the NHS for a few months, so fortunate to be able to have it prescribed. Oncologist said the RT could start right after Christmas so quite a while off, but as you say, not an issue.  

Hi Porthleven,

It sounds as if the oncologist is on the ball in arranging for a PSMA PET scan to double check for any possible spread.  It's also good to hear that they covered all the questions you had prepared which gives added confidence that they are treating you as people rather than just one of a caseload.  

Although my RT started almost exactly 3 months after commencing HT, I had been diagnosed as T2a whereas I see that your husband is a T3b so I would be happy with the 6 months she is recommending.  Funnily enough my consultant was  female as well & also had good people skills.

Best Wishes

Brian

Thank you Buzzers. Yes, she did give us confidence, our appointment was over an hour late, but we could see that this was because she spent time with people and didn’t rush them through. When you have no medical background it can all be a bit daunting, but I’ve learnt a lot in the past few months. The urology department didn’t seem keen on offering a PSMA Pet scan, we didn’t have to ask her if it might be possible, it was one of the first things she mentioned. We’re a bit concerned about the possible side effects of the Abiraterone, and the steroid, but it’s been recommended so he thinks he should go for it and see how he gets on. 

Hi Porthleven nice to hear from you again and it all sounds very positive. You obviously have an excellent oncologist. To answer your question, my radiotherapy was only 3 months after starting ADT, but that was because they didn’t want my 25cc prostate gland to shrink too much as they needed to get about 70 brachytherapy seeds in it.  My radiotherapy external beam started a month after that, as the effects are best done concurrently.   In your dear husband’s case, I think 6 months is perfect, because he has the devastating (for cancer) combination of abiraterone (stops the cancer receiving) and ADT (stops testosterone being made), so expect undetectable PSA very soon!  He (and you) are in a good place and this will take the steam out of things regarding the frantic diagnostic pathway / decision process.  You’re obviously in good hands.   AW

My oncologist is female too, very empathetic, great people skills
Met her for the first time just 39 hours ago.
I started off by pointing out I'm a theorist, I'll want to research, I'll want truth, no sugar coating.
My wife got through breast cancer 11 years ago, I recently lost my Dad to Hodkins Lymphoma, and my younger brother was taken from us 18 months ago with agressive multi focal brian cancer.
I also have a very close friend who was treated for stomach cancer 11 years ago is now running ultra-marathons
Everyone journey is different. But an empathetic oncologist really helps! My a Dad's Oncologist/Hematologist was so supportive for the three years of my Dad's non-curative treatments.

Thanks, the first few weeks and months were very stressful, but as a few of the lovely people on here said at the time, once all the diagnostics are done and a treatment plan is sorted you settle in to the ‘new normal’. 

Hi Portheleven,

Similar path to mine and seems like you are in good hands. Well done on getting the (expensive) PSMA scan to check for lymph nodes involvement. So glad it found mine in pelvis and zapped them at the same time, even if I suspect the extra radiation added to fatigue.

My RT was only 3m after HT but I do /did have a v small (20cc) prostate, so no shrinkage needed. 

Only SE with Abi/Pred for me is fatigue but I'm pushing through with it. Just back from an enjoyable holiday in SA, despite or thanks to the daily naps. 'Listen to your body' and 'OK to rest' is my new normal.

Please have a look at my profile for more detail on my journey to date.

All the best

David

Thanks for replying to me, I’ve just read your profile to my husband, he’s of a similar mindset to you regarding exercise and mental attitude, as hard as it is you have to keep positive.  Someone on here said “don’t let the worrying about tomorrow ruin today”, so true.