Hi, newly signed up. Interested to hear the opinions and advice from others diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.

 Rob_ , you might find it easier to use your profile on here to act as a diary. It also helps others to understand your journey.  Well done for taking the first steps.  David

 Huffies , glad you are Cancer free.  A friend of mine in a local "Prostate Cancer Support Group" (can't say the name but it rhymes with 'Raggies'),he had an artificial sphyncter fitted as he ended up being basically totally incontinent.  This radically changed his life.

I hope yours is doing the same.

 Rob_ , I know the feeling when you were told that you have Prostate Cancer 

Rob_ said:

Got back to the car and it started to hit home ’did I just hear that?’

Luckily I had my partner with me as it went straight over my head.

As you will know there are lots of caring people in this forum.

Please keep us updated on your progress.

Take Care 

Hi Rob_ - as you have seen, everyone has been so kind and supportive.  However, with a rising PSA now at 15, you really need to get cracking on.  When making your choice, have a look at several biographies on here (click on name or icon) to gauge diagnosis v treatment and don’t forget to look at side effects.   AW

Thanks AW

Made an appointment to speak with surgeon face to face in two weeks to review stats and most probably elect for surgery.

I have been under active surveillance for Gleason 6 PC and upstaged to Gleason 3+4 PC positive in two cores in the right lobe and one in the left. Maximum tumour length 4mm.

Post second biopsy psa was 19 however this was considered to have been taken too close following the biopsy so was repeated and result was 15 which is up from 9 and 11 in the past.

I am trying to get my head around having surgery. 

Hopefully when I have this second discussion my mind will be made up and I’ll feel comfortable with the decision.

Just to add that we haven’t told our daughter as yet. She is 20 and doing really well at uni. I’m sure she will be very worried to learn of my diagnosis but it’s difficult to tell. She was under a fair bit of stress with workload and deadlines prior to Christmas and. We didn’t want to add to that. 
I’m thinking perhaps once I have agreed to have surgery that would be a good time to let her know.

I would welcome any thoughts on this

Thanks R

Hi Rob_, it's good to hear you have your appointment with the surgeon, and in only 2 weeks, and are leaning heavily towards surgery, as is your choice, but I would advise everyone to talk to their oncologist before making a final decision.

I can't really help as to when you tell your daughter, I'm sure as you know her better than anyone you will know when, or indeed if to tell her, though I have 4 kids, all mid 30s and older, I had no option but to tell mine.

Eddie  

Rob (Rob_ ), we are all different and only you know what is best.  From my point of view I would have wanted my parents to tell me, but that’s me.  I found out I had treatable but non curable cancer and telling my kids was hard but that was years ago.  I think they appreciated it and have been very supportive.  Good luck with your decision.  David

Hello Rob (Rob_) 

Good luck with your surgery, but I am with Eddie here. Make sure it's right for you and talk to an oncologist as well.

I didn't have any choice in telling my adult children I had cancer - I was in hospital for 10 days and my wife is a nurse so they did the math 2 + 2 = Cancer!!

I don't know if helps but we have this advice - talking to children and teenagers I know your daughter is 20 but it may help. We now tell them all everything and they are happy to be kept in the loop.

Best wishes - Brian.

Rob, it will be hard telling your daughter, but it would be better coming from you rather than her finding out from another source.

See how others told their children.

Hi Rob_ 

I totally understand your pain . My OH didn’t want to tell anyone . It took its toll on me as our adult kids were asking questions about us not being away on holiday etc.

He was diagnosed in March and it was June time I just said enough is enough . I wasn’t lying any longer. We got both of them , explained and although they were upset I honestly think they knew something was going on .  We have grandchildren and only two of them are aware of his diagnosis & prognosis . We feel it’s too early to explain as there are no visible signs he is unwell other than fatigue. 

it has only been very recent ( Monday ) he told a friend as it’s now a bit easier to speak about PC and not get upset. 

Everyone knows their own children better than anyone .  You will find the right time to tell your daughter.

Best wishes 

Liz & OH xxx

Liz, we don't have children so at least I was spared that task.

Telling anyone was unbelievably hard at first.  I could start the sentence " I have been....." but the word 'diagnosed' just wouldn't come out without me bursting into tears!

It did get easier, the more I got used to the diagnosis.

Before the diagnosis I didn't know anyone with Cancer, but now I know many more people who have or have had Cancer.