Post surgery expectations

Hello TheeAndrew 

If you are suitable for it -and to me you are  - you can ask your NHS Trust for a referral to the nearest Trust  providing the service.

Best wishes -Brian.

Hi again, please don’t think I am pushing you down this route, I am just letting you know other options are out there. I went round and round jumping from 1 to the other, it’s a really hard choice, but the more informed you become the easier it is, so try to learn as much as you can and talk to people and most importantly those closest to you.  

Hello TheeAndrew &Bluecloud1 

Here's our overview: (link here)

Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes - Brian.

With me, age was a factor. Being youngish, the forecast was that with nerve sparing the short term side effects should go away with time and all other forms of fitness/health are back again very speedily with one “quick” procedure.

The HT/RT route with three years hormone therapy and multiple radio therapy sessions seemed to indicate more long term side effects (albeit not as acute at first) such as muscle wasting, tiredness, loss of libido, etc.

Obviously I have no personal experience of those side effects, but the potential long term issues were what swayed us in the end. I am already fully fit again in every respect other than ED… which IS an issue - no doubt about that - but we have a plan for it and am overall very happy with the decision. 

A friend of mine has just finished his long term HT course after RT and told me those years were miserable as he felt exhausted all the time. again only second hand information, and there are a lot of lovely people here who will be able to give you real help!

Hello TheeAndrew 

Again, honest information from Fzh2p0 above.

So I have completed 3 years HT/RT (I wasn't able to have surgery due to my diagnosis but would have said no to it anyway).

The HT comes with many side effects, I have had most plus some extras. The hard one is fatigue - but i worked through it, never slept during the day. Itchy skin, man boobs hot flushes - yes all a small problem but no major issues. Loss of libido and ED yes I missed them (Mrs Millibob said "I still have you") and now they are both back so normal service there .

RT - Easy, 20 fractions - it's like being on a sunbed !! Small adjustment to my Number 1's and 2's but no issues.

Would I do 3 years HT/Rt for a "Curative Pathway" - Honest Answer YES!

Happy to answer any specific questions if you need any more information. (You can read my journey by clicking on my name or avatar).

Best wishes - Brian.

Thanks guys. Actually really good to have alternative experiences. I will find out more on Bracky and potential pathways to that should I feel it's an option. I have a suspicion it wasn't raised because it isn't offered. Not the best reason. So I'll need to push back a little to avoid missing out on something that's potentially a better treatment for my diagnosis profile