Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Hello Lee (String ) 

A warm welcome to the group although I am so sorry to read of your journey so far - we all arrive here with a story to tell, however yours shows how inept your GP was!

Triplet therapy is fairly new however group members who have had it all appear to be doing well with low PSA results so you look to be in good hands - especially if the spread is only to the pelvic bones.

I have picked up on the fact you are single and struggling mentally - and yes I can understand why as you don't have a big support network - can I suggest the following ideas? (Well I will anyway!).

* Do you have a Maggie's at your hospital? - this is a cancer charity where you can just drop in - have a chat over a brew and get some help.

* Are you aware of Macmillan Buddies.? if you sign up we can allocate you with a "buddy" who will call you every week for a chat - it can be about cancer, the price of fish or Rave music in the 90's (no boom boom shake the room please ) the link is there.

* There's Andys Man Club for local mental health support. They meet once a week.

* Don't forget our support line on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm 7 days a week) - they can offer support too.

We are all open on the group so please do continue to post. Some of us have our own story to read and you can do this by clicking on our name or avatar. 

If you wish to add your personal journey to your profile on your home page, click on the computer screen, top right, then profile, then edit - once you have written something remember to save it.

We all have our own coping mechanism - mine is the cancer won't define me and I am going to enjoy life, and carry on.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thanks for your reply Brian, much appreciated and some excellent advice on things that may help with me coping with my diagnosis, I will look into all the things you have suggested in the next week or so.

As for my GP, I consider their treatment, or lack of, which is more appropriate, as negligent and I am currently going through the official complaint procedure with my surgery.

I will indeed continue to post as my treatment progresses to let you know how things are going.  I had a meeting with my oncologist yesterday and my PSA has dropped from 49 to 0.8.  She said this is really good considering I've only had 2 cycles of chemo so far.  Hopefully the treatment will continue to go well. 

• Hi Lee, I’m Graham. I’m also a stage 4 incurable, diagnosed March this year. I was suicidal, I seriously thought of driving to my favorite place in the Lake District and jumping off it. Within a few days however I realized that it wasn’t just about me, it was about my beautiful wife, kids and family, even my wonderful little Cockapoo Alfie. I want to be here for as long as possible for them as much as me, which is why I decided to meet this challenge head on, completely changed my diet , no alcohol, caffeine, processed and limited dairy, salt and sugar. I’ve upped my gym training and adopted a positive mental attitude. Luckily for me I’ve responded really well to the hormonal treatment and have had very few side effects. My advice my friend is to do the same so that we are both still around for our loved ones for many years to come. Best wishes to you Lee

Hi Graham, thanks for your reply.  At last someone who understands as I have also had many days and nights early on in my diagnosis when I didn't want to be here anymore.  I have kind of come to a point where I have almost accepted where I'm at but things will never be quiet the same again.  I have also like you however been coping quiet well with my treatment so far, fingers crossed it continues.  Thank you for taking the time to reply and much love goes out to you and your family and your cockapoo.  Best wishes for the future. 

Hello Lee (String ) 

Cracking PSA result and I am pleased all is well - as for you GP - good luck with that and I hope you get somewhere - if only to help others who come after you.

Give me a shout if you need anything else or just want a chat - happy to help.

Best wishes - Brian.

Yes thank you Brian, yesterdays meeting was in fact very very positive, something my life has been seriously lacking since diagnosis.  As for my complaint I will keep you updated on how that proceeds. And thanks for your kind offer of support, I will definitely bear that in mind.  I am looking forward to getting Monday's cycle over and done with as that means I'm half way through.  I will post an update on how it's all going next week.

There are many more like us, keep the faith, stay strong, despite your shaky start there are some excellent medical experts who will help you overcome this in the short , medium and even long term as new treatments are developed and become available for likes of us. All the best

Thanks Graham, my shaky start has been a long hard slog to be honest and still ongoing.  I have good days and really bad days.  I'm impressed how you seem to be coping with it all.  Maybe I should take a leaf out of your book and try being stronger if only for my daughter.  Hopefully I will get to that point eventually, all I can do now is try my best I suppose.

Hello Lee (String),

I'm fast approaching 70 and was first diagnosed with PC in 2016. Unfortunately it recurred in 2024 and I was put on triplet therapy. I'm coming up to 2 years since completion of chemo and my 12 weekly checks continue to show undetectable PSA so all's well.

I began writing a blog when I started triplet therapy and, if you're interested, there's a link below to have a read. I got through 5 of the 6 docetaxel infusions, the 6th was cancelled due to side effects - but this was complicated by the fact that I'd had different chemo for a different cancer in 2014 and, believe it or not, my consultant told me I was still affected by that which made my docetaxel side effects much worse. 

I'm very sorry you're struggling, but things will definitely improve in time. Although my path is not what I expected, I'm living life to the max.. Currently in south west USA and will be celebrating, with my wife, my big birthday next week in our favourite city of Tucson, Arizona.

I wish you all the best for successful and event free completion of chemo. If there's anything you want to ask feel free.

Derek.