Feeling low.

  Mr U  Thanks for taking the time to reply. Sometimes I cant get the words out in person to actually say the word cancer, and Ive found its easier to write on here. I do appreciate the help you and others have given to me and I hope I can be as helpful to others one day.

Hello Crown green2e787e 

The journey does get easier once you have a diagnosis and a treatment plan set up - it's getting to this point which is hard as your whole world revolves around results, tests and meetings.

To help you moving forward here are the links to our information on your possible treatments in no specific order:

Prostatectomy-for-prostate-cancer. (Surgery).

Hormonal-therapy-for-prostate-cancer.

Radiotherapy-for-prostate-cancer.

Brachytherapy-for-prostate-cancer.

Enjoy your lunch with Mrs CG and you know where we are for any questions.

Best wishes - Brian.

Well done, cancer is a word the conjures up the worst feelings so I’m not surprised you’re struggling. But small steps will get you moving in the right direction. Don’t expect it to be easy, it’s not, but when you need it we will be here, to support you in any way we can.

It’s a very positive thing you have written to look forward to helping others in time. That is such a great attitude.

Good luck.

 Crown green2e787e You are not being miserable.  The first month is really hard.  I was gleason 3+4, intermediate risk.  I took the Hormone and Radiotherapy treatments.  Now I'm over 3 years in Remission!  It's not all doom and gloom.

Is there no way one of your children could accompany you to your Oncologist appointment?  I know you said you didn't want to upset them.  They might be more upset if you don't.  Children are very understanding! 

About writing things down, I have kept a 'thought' diary since the day I was diagnosed, over 4 and a half years ago.  It's great to offload, rant, swear, etc... 

Now all this time later, reading it back makes me glad I started it when I did!  It was my partner's idea.  I never thought anything would come of it!

I find that counselling helps.  This Macmillan forum really helps, the people are great!  My local Maggie's Prostate Cancer Support group is great, all of us being in the same boat, all at different stages in our cancer journeys.

Take care 

 Stevecam My son originally told me he was too busy at work to come with me which was partly why I felt so down. Ive spoken to him again to explain its important for me and its hard to take everything in on my own . He has now said he will ask work for the time, so Im hoping that will work out. 

The MDT recommended AS and at my appointment with the surgeon he also seemed to hint towards AS mentioning only a 3% benefit to surgery although they say its my decision. I plan to discuss radiotherapy with the oncologist, but at the moment it seems to be my preferred option if I cant manage the anxiety of AS. Im tempted to see what happens with my next 1 or 2 pas tests on AS before I make a final decision.

On a more positive note my worry seems to have eased over the last couple of days and we have had a gentle country walk this morning so I am feeling better. Once my wifes operation is over next week that will be another worry that will improve.

Thanks for getting in touch.

I'm not sure about AS your figures are low so I say get in there and get it zapped I have a friend who has been on AS for 4 years and now he needs treatment,once you decide on your treatment etc it does get much better 

 Crown green2e787e I'm glad it's looking like your son will be with you at your appointment.  It will be positive for his future to learn all about P.C.  He will be more prepared for the future when he can get tested.

When I was on A.S. I hardly ever thought about it.  The hormone and Radiotherapy worked for me.  I still have E.D. (Erectile Dysfunction) nearly 4 years later... but it did it's job!  I don't regret going for that option. I would love to be able to make love again, but if I can't... It's not the end of the world! 

Hope everything goes smoothly for you.  Give your wife my best for her hip replacement operation next week.

Hi Crown green2e787e ,

I know your position.

First off, when I was told I had cancer it left me in a complete daze, with intervals of complete misery. It was very much what you described.

This waned very slowly as test results came in, and disappeared almost completely after I met with the oncologist and had a treatment plan. Notice I said "almost" completely. I still get bursts of relatively mild moments of panic. I think it is the word "cancer". To our generation that meant death. Sometimes it still does. But sometimes it also disappears into time.

This will pass.

Second, the matter of the appointment. If you can take someone, it WILL help. My wife couldn't come to my first oncologist meeting, so I took my two daughters (both wanted to come). It seemed to me that the oncologist might have been mildly intimidated by them. They certainly terrify me.

I came out of the meeting with much more confidence, which has grown slowly in the 18 months since.

This is a disease which can be beaten. It's not always easy, but it is being done in more and more cases.

There is always help here.

Think about it. At my discussion with the oncologist we agreed on a treatment which is to last for 3 years. 

It struck me that I was supposed to last for at least that long.....