Recently Diagnosed - In a state of shock

Hello Blueman 

Hello again, I am pleased you have found us  So this is all my personal thought, I am not medically trained - you can read my journey bu clicking on my name or avatar.

For me - if the cancer has left the gland - I would give surgery a miss - you don't want the surgeon in there spreading the cancer cells about - it's fine if they are contained in the gland. For your information - here's our guide to surgery:

Prostatectomy-for-prostate-cancer.

If it's left the gland and is in your bones, then it's not curable, so I wish you well with the bone scan results.

Your next choice would be a visit to oncology and a combination of Hormone and Radiotherapy - again here's a link to our information;

Hormonal-therapy-for-prostate-cancer.

Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer.

I hope the above helps. Whatever treatment route you go down there will be side effects and they will affect you both.

It would help us to help you if you add some details to your profile - journey to date Gleason Score TNM Score and PSA results. To add to your profile on your home page click on the computer screen - top right, then profile, then edit. Once you have written something don't forget to save it.

Ask anything you want - nothing is too trivial and you will get honest answers here.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Blueman,

I am sorry that cancer has led you to this forum and I so hope you get good news from the bone scan.

The first piece of advice I would give is read loads on this forum.  There is tons of good information from those who have been through the mill.  My prostate cancer (PC) journey started in March 2024 and initially I was given the choice of hormones and radiotherapy or the operation to remove my prostate.  Once I made sure my team knew that I have Ulcerative Colitis then my choices become operation or nothing.  So, please make sure your treatment takes into consideration any other conditions you may have.  Hopefully you have no others but if you do then never assume any health professional knows it despite how many times you tell different people.

The next advice I would give is slow down and give yourself time to get your head around the diagnosis.  I had the operation in June 2024 and in November 2024, I was recovering well but then I hit the wall with my mental health.  Having read loads of other's journeys I can say this is a common experience.  I was lucky as I had asked for some help from psychologist via the NHS and that therapy started just when I needed it.  Sadly in my trust such professional help is over a 9 month wait, so you might want to ask for help now.  The therapy helped me to deal with the life changing permanent changes to my body, especially the loss of the ability to have natural erections.  This may not happen to you but its worth asking - if I have the prostate removed will you have nerve sparing surgery - if its not nerve sparing then its almost certain you will also have to deal with the loss of erections.  I can't talk about the journey for those who had hormone treatment, but hopefully someone else will give you more information on that route.

There is a lot more I can talk about, but I want to finish on a positive note.  There are loads of people on here who have survived PC for a decade or more.  It is not a death sentence and you can overcome it.  My two years since the operation have been very magical and the experience has taught me to treasure life even more.  I am not out of the woods as sadly my PSA scores are climbing and it's possible I have spread, but I refuse to let my life be ruined.  I hope you can find that same place and make things as magical.  You mention your wife and please don't forget this journey is going to be hers as much as yours.  My wife has been vital to help me have that positive attitude and she is the best medicine I was ever given.  

Brilliant 

Thanks for this Paul. I have made a note of mentioning other conditions. My wife is amazing and it’s our strange journey together. She is amazing. Have the bone scan later this week, then back to the Consultant.

Hi Blueman

I agree with Millibob, once left the gland go for the Radiotherapy which will include HT for a while .

Don't think they give HT with surgery but could be wrong there.

Anyway fingers crossed not in the bones, U don't give any PSA figures or a Gleeson which can help 

best wishes 

Steve