New to the community

Hi CM - and welcome to the community nobody wants to join.

Your feelings are only natural, but this is a great place to get advice, and to read shared experiences. Some you will find very encouraging and all will be helpful.

Feel free to read my profile, which details my journey. It seems like yesterday I felt as you do now. It’s a scary time, but brighter times will hopefully lie ahead.

HH

Hi

welcome to our little group, Everyone goes through what your worrying about, the people who do this have been doing this for a long time, their excellent at what they do, they will walk you through the procedure, everyone suffers side effects of some description, usually only minor ones which clear up soon. Just be positive.

Stay safe

Joe

Hi CM. I’m a few weeks away from 62. I’m also a couple of steps behind you in that my biopsy results are due this week. 
I’ve done loads of research during this endless period of waiting! If it’s an appropriate option for me I will go for surgery, RT and HT can be used later in life if needed. 
Side effects of all the treatments are daunting, most are temporary. 
It seems surgical techniques are being improved especially in what nerves and small muscles can be spared if the cancer hasn’t spread. 
I’m not sure if it helps but I’m also terrified of what lies ahead and get quite low at times. 
Very best wishes to you. 
Daniel

Hi Canon Man. Are you sure you're not me. I was absolutely terrified of the op and the after effects. I was in fact convinced I wouldn't survive.  I too had never had an op. I was also totally embarrased and did not want to be a burden on anyone. Well the op turned out to be not a walk in the park but pretty close. A reasonably amount of discomfort which was quite bearable until the cathetor was removed after a week. Very little pain. I was discharged the day after the op. Yes I have incontinence still after 4.5 months. It is getting better slowly but I'm now use to wearing pads. I also have ED which is going to be treated and my little man is a bit smaller but these are things which I have got use to and can cope with. I feel so privileged to have had the op and the oppertunity to live hopefully a long and reasonably heathly life.Everyone who matters to me have been so supportive and understanding and helpful. I am sure you also will be fine.

Hi Cannon Man.

Welcome. Yes, hospitals and medical terms can be very frightening and like you if you have not been there before you have no idea what to expect.

I didn't go down the surgery route - I had no choice however I have had 2 spells in hospital - never having been before and in both of my stays 10 days and 2 days the staff were amazing and the treatment was great. The two points I would make are:

* The staff are dealing with to you what are your "private parts" and they will respect you dignity - It's hard to come to terms with at first but once your realise they are there to help you should be fine with it.

* Much is said about catheters - not many comments are positive. I had an indwelling catheter for 10 months and had no issues with the catheter at all - not with it being fitted, changed or daily use and there was no dribbling etc when it came out, although I had to learn to wee again!!

I can appreciate you being scared and I know it's the anticipation of the unknown - but we are all different - even our treatment. As HappyHacker says read our profiles and ask whatever you want for reassurance.

Let me reassure you - you won't be an embarrassment to anyone.

I hope this helps and that you have a smooth journey through this.

Kind Regards - Brian.