Just diagnosed

Hello James

That's great news, you will be fine - if I was not away on holiday I would be happy to come with you today. Good luck with the biopsy - at least it will put your mind at rest - it will be over and you will have some answers. 

When I was in NMGH it was a 7.00am start so you should be fine after the biopsy - plenty of recovery time that day. Just remember you are not alone on this journey we are all with you.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thanks Brian,

 The Pre Op went well at Oldham. Had the Biopsy done at Fairfield under a G.A. Don't remember a thing. I had to stay in that night because I have nobody at home. The Ward was F12 in a Five Bed unit. Terrific nurses took the time to help me with the huge anxiety I was facing. I cannot praise them enough. The surgeon was also incredible and shot the 80 samples in the foot which was a relief. Afterwards no blood in Urine just slight loose stools and no blood where the Ultrasound Probe went in. A Sore Throat where the Airway Tube went. He took the time to reasure me that having the G.A. and the procedure was far less risky than crossing a road. The whole Ward seemed to understand Mental Health problems.

Kind regards James.

Hello James

That's an amazing post from you considering where you have been with this in the past. I am so pleased the biopsy has gone well and that everyone had your personal situation in hand. I understand how hard it was for you to go through this and am pleased for you it wasn't at NMGH. Furthermore I thank you for keeping us updated with your personal situation - although we are here for you and wish you well.

Moving on I hope you are recovering well and that now the biopsy is over your fears are now reduced - I know the next hurdle is the diagnosis - however - it's good to know just where you are with this.

As I write this I am enjoying a holiday a couple of miles from the beach in my icon in Turkey - and although it's warm 24c - It's just like being in Oldham as it's raining hard!!

My best wishes pal  - we have come this far on your journey - I and the other Community members will be with you whatever the diagnosis throws up and we are all hoping for something good!

Brian.

Thanks Brian. I hope you are having a good holiday. You are an inspiration for me.

I am somewhat in limbo at the moment. I don't know how long it takes for Biopsy results to be processed. It unfortunately says on my discharge notes that I will be informed by phone or letter depending on the urgency of my next appointment. This strikes fear into me. Surgeons in general don't all seem to understand mental health problems and do not seem to think about what a Cancer diagnosis can do to someone off a more nervous disposition.

 Thank you all for your support.

 Kind regards James.

Hi James

You are bang on when you say that the health service doesn't seem to understand the implications of the diagnosis and delays on mental health. 

I was told 7-10 days to get result back and was given a date for a telephone appointment two weeks after the biopsy. A specialist nurse called me on the due day and told me the results weren't back yet and I would get another call within a week. This came and went without a call. I called the hospital twice more and was told it still wasn't back. Eventually I got a call from a consultant with the results, early Sunday morning, for which I was unprepared. 

All hospitals are different so hopefully yours will be quicker. My advice would be to take control. Call the specialist nurse after two weeks and tell them that you are anxious about your results. If they are not back call them every week to chase. It can't do any harm and it might speed things up a bit. A delay of a week or two won't make any difference to your diagnosis. It's just about your piece of mind.

Best of luck

Cliff

Hi James

Think positive - the diagnosis is over and the results may well be great - however whatever they are - you have many friends on here and where ever your Prostate Cancer journey takes you we will be with you.

Try and relax, enjoy doing the things you love to do over the next couple of weeks and time will fly by. I know how you feel and if you can take your mind off the wait that would be fantastic - I know it's not easy but whatever the results are there will be a treatment plan to be put in place.

If it helps, click on the icon of the beach and read my journey - it's been a hard one - but all is good now.

As Cliff said above

LTC61 said:

A delay of a week or two won't make any difference to your diagnosis. It's just about your piece of mind.

and he's right about following up your biopsy results too!

Stick with it pal -you are doing just great - enjoy the weekend.

Best wishes as ever - Brian.

From beginning until my diagnosis mate I tried to not think about it carried on living life as norm , I have prostate cancer waiting on op but I am still living life as norm stay positive merry Christmas and happy new year 

Hi James, wow you are doing so fantastic and you’re managing great. I know how scared and anxious you were due to your mental health but look how far you’ve come and how you’ve found the courage to be positive and follow through even although it takes all your strength to do so. I’m sure everyone here are all proud of how you’re coping and you have many friends now so you will always get the support you deserve.  Well done James and try and enjoy your weekend and relax, you deserve it.

Regards

Linda 

Hello James.

Just to say how pleased I am that you have managed to have your biopsy. I understand how big a hurdle that was for you but that is one more bite of the elephant . I reckon you have eaten your first leg now and am sure that all the wonderful people on this forum will help you on the next step. My husband is the one who suffers from depression and PTSD so I have a little understanding of the battles you face. You are lucky that you have a supportive doctor so why not have a word with him about getting your results as it may make it easier for you to talk through the information face to face, especially as you say you have been having problems recently. It is not easy for you to switch off the worry button so please keep posting if you find it is getting on top of you. We are all thinking of you and will do whatever we can to help.

Thank you all for your kind and encouraging comments. It helps a lot. I have scabs developing in the two places the Biopsy Needle went in. I hope that is normal. No pain however. It is nigh on impossible to turn the worry off. I wish I could. I really envy people who do not worry unduly about anything.

Kind regards James.