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Time from diagnosis to treatment

Ian086
  • 68 replies
  • 191 subscribers
  • 4730 views

Hello all

I  was reluctantly given a PSA test June 22 by my GP after a lot of persuasion which came back at  9.5. A bit of a shock as I am a reasonably fit 59yr old with absolutely no symptoms.

So far I have had an MRI, TP biospy under local, bone scan and tomorrow I have a PET-CT scan.

Scores so far are T3aN0M0, 25mm lesion, PI-RADS 5, Gleeson 3+4=7. At the consultant meeting post biopsy in November I was told that the tumour was contained but pushing into the capsule wall on one side of the prostate. I am hoping that after tomorrows scan it will not be much longer before I have the meeting with the team to talk about available treatment. As has been mentioned by numerous posters the waiting for the tests and results is a nightmare. The specialist nurse has assured me that the 7mths I have been waiting so far will not have compromised my health but seeing posters reporting HT the day they have a high PSA or having treatment within a couple of months of being diagnosed I am taking this with a huge pinch of salt. Does 7mths, so far, seem unusually long to wait with the results I have had so far?

I am being treated in S Wales and wondered if anyone had undergone treatment at the University hospital of Wales in Cardiff as I am sure that this is where I will be treated. Unfortunately it seems as though the Welsh NHS likes to keep its cards close to its chest when it comes to divulging surgeons success rates etc.

Thanks for reading ,best wishes and good luck to all.

Ian

  • in reply to BW

    Hi Barry

    Thanks for that. I'm grateful that I seem to be having all the tests that are available and what you say re PET scan before HT makes sense and is reassuring. The consultant and nurse were adamant that the wait would not have any effect on the cancer so I guess they are the experts and to be fair the consultant although pretty direct seemed very confident. I am going for a 10 day break to Tenerife next week to chill out before , hopefully, a meeting with the med team and I will post an update, with probably more than a few questions, after that.

    Thanks all

    Ian

  • in reply to Ian086

    Ian - Enjoy your break - As soon as I've finished my RT sessions i think I will be off somewhere warm!!Thumbsup

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  • in reply to Ian086

    Have a great break. And let us all know how you get on with the consultant/treatment plan.

    L

  • in reply to Ian086

    Have a good break, Ian. Incidentally, did you manage to get reasonably priced travel insurance and, if so, can you recommend the company you have used?  We are desperate to get away once my husband has completed his radiotherapy!

  • in reply to Worriedwife

    Hi WW

    I went to Oz after my treatment finished and I found Insurancewith were very competitive. I was quoted anything up to £1700 for a months cover! 

    Insurancewith were the only company who asked in depth question about my PC and the reasons for all medications I was taking. 

    Give them a try- they were by far the cheapest by best part of 50%.

    Regards

    Stuart 

    Trying to get fit again!
  • in reply to Scampidoodle

    The cheapest insurance we were quoted was £2800 for 2 weeks in the Canary Islands! Will try insurewith once radiotherapy completed!

  • in reply to Worriedwife

    Hi WW

    Wow!

    Trying to get fit again!
  • in reply to Scampidoodle

    Yes, we felt that this was exploiting cancer and refused to buy! As 1 in 2 people now can expect to receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, I feel this is an issue which should be addressed!

  • in reply to Worriedwife

    Hi WW

    I am sorry but I cannot help with insurance suggestions as , whisper it quietly, I have not booked any. After having a quick peek I decided that as I am , at the moment, fit and healthy I would take a chance rather than be ripped off for an obscene amount of money for a policy that there is little to no chance of me claiming on. To be honest, at the moment I could not care less about insurance and all i am focused on is having as relaxing a break as possible before the trials to come.

    Best wishes to you both, I hope that you do manage to get away, Lord knows you deserve it.

  • in reply to Ian086

    We did consider doing this! We only wanted to go to the Canaries for some winter sun. But, I don’t speak Spanish and, if anything were to happen I knew it would have been me to have to sort. I couldn’t have relaxed knowing the risk. I have always been ultra cautious about all insurances - an insurance salesman’s perfect customer. But I could not justify paying more than a holiday just for peace of mind. After all, I would not pay £300k to insure a £250k house, car or whatever!I hope you have a wonderful break. We are hoping to go away when the RT is finished. Lord knows, I need it!

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