New here. Recently upgraded to the Deluxe Prostate Experience

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Hello everyone,

I’m new to the group, recently inducted into the illustrious and involuntary fraternity of men with prostate cancer. I didn’t apply, I didn’t audition, and frankly, the benefits package is appalling, but here we are.

I’ve joined this community because someone wise (or possibly my radiation oncologist in a moment of caffeine-fueled honesty) told me that support groups are where you go to meet people who actually understand the absurdity of peeing 18 times a night, having the testosterone of a garden snail, and calling it “treatment.”

I’m currently navigating a thrilling journey through ADT, radiation, brachytherapy, and "medical whack-a-mole”, and I thought it might help to connect with others who have stared down a PSA score and muttered, “What fresh hell is this?”

My goals here are simple:

  1. Learn from those further down the path.

  2. Share anything useful I accidentally discover.

  3. Find solidarity in the shared weirdness of it all.

  4. Occasionally make dark jokes about bodily functions without being escorted out of the room.

Thanks for having me. I look forward to meeting the tribe, learning the ropes, and possibly locating my sense of humour again—it seems to have been left behind at the last urology appointment.

Cheers,

Hans 
Still radioactive, but emotionally stable(ish)

  • Thanks, your "story" made me smile, thank you. I got diagnosed in November last year, started the "sex change " treatment and today I have my 1st radiotherapy zapping, I got some good news the other day about my PSA , down from 0.4 to 0.075. It was never high but my gleeson score was 8 , 3+5. Don't stop the " dark  jokes" that is what keep me going. Thanks

    M Watt

  • Good morning Hans  and you are very welcome. You made my husband laugh out loud with your post as he started his treatment for life almost 5 years ago and has had 3 lots of "whack-a-mole" along with chemotherapy and different types of hormone treatments to keep him castrated and shrinking his "bits".

    I am assuming that you are on a curative pathway? If so then have you been given any guidance on how to help with your penile health such as tablets to help with blood supply to your "bits" along with a vacuum pump and manual stimulation.

    Also, depending on how long you are going to be on ADT, it could be a good idea to ask about calcium and vitamin D supplements as the hormone therapy can cause bone thinning.

    Some men worry about developing "moobs" whilst on hormone therapy - if this is you then something can be done but it must be started soon. My husband has developed a nice pair but hasn't resorted to raiding my underwear drawer -yet.

    Exercise, exercise, exercise, especially with weight bearing can help with the fatigue which seems to be common with the treatment.

    On a more serious note, the ADT and a cancer diagnosis can affect you mentally which can be difficult to deal with but help is available if you want it.

    Hot flushes are another common side effect and we have tips for you if you start to experience them - especially from the ladies who have been through it!!

    Please ask any questions and we will try and help you through this new world that you are navigating.

  • Hello Hans ( ), welcome.  After 8 years on HT I still don’t understand how the bits you don’t want to shrink and the bits you want to stay small manage to get it so wrong!  There should be humour in this journey, I am with you on that.  You have probably gathered by now that you can ask anything or just vent if you want.  We have a dedicated ‘non PCa’ post in No Specific Topic for general chat.  David

  • Hi  .  I love your sense of humour and it would appear that you are a fellow “Brachy Boost Brother”!  Maybe we should all wear black pork pie hats and form a band! Anyway, I’m further down the line, so click on my snowy scene for an approximation of what may lie ahead.   AW

  • Love your dark sense of humor and that's what gets me through , so important to be able to take the punches and roll with it (though rolling not a good idea if you're carrying a bag strapped to the leg ) I wasn't offered the brachy route and elected  for the robot style approach. Then radiotherapy when it mysteriously appeared on the radar again ! Now awaiting date with a specialist to determine next attack on the big C as radiotherapy seems to have not cleared it all and its in the pelvic lymph nodes now. What a ride !! Keep the faith brother ....