(Originally posted in the New to the Community section, sorry for the duplication!)
Hi, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in October (aged 47) and initially it was thought there had been no spread and I was on course for surgery. But bone scans showed something on my ribs and now further scans have confirmed spread to ribs and possibly pelvis and spine. I've already started on the hormone therapy.
It has completely knocked me sideways. I'm now waiting for my first appointment with an oncologist next Thursday, and know it is now about controlling it rather than curing it - but I'm struggling to come to terms with that and understand what it really means. I made the mistake of googling it when the first scans came back, and am now ping-ponging between despair at having no time, and trying to remain optimistic about what the treatments could do for me.
Just feeling a bit lost and overwhelmed - hoping that the appointment next week will give me some more info.
It's been helpful already just to read through some of the forums here, so thanks already to everyone!
Mike
Hello Mike
Well that's pretty good news I would say. Hormone Therapy combined with Radiotherapy - let's hope that cracks it.
Like you the oncologist was unsure if mine had spread - I had a dark mass on my MRI - so at Radiotherapy it was decided to blast my lymph nodes on the pelvis as well to be sure - a great relief.
Hormone Therapy has it's side effects so be aware of them - and fatigue will catch up with you too - but as a 47 year old whippersnapper you should be able to keep fit.
Radiotherapy is so easy, you just lie still on the "sunbed" for 20 sessions - The hardest bit is travelling to and from the hospital everyday and parking. (I am lucky my hospital is a mile from home!).
So sit back enjoy Christmas and look forward to a great 2024.
Best wishes - Brian.
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