I received my diagnosis less than a month ago

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I received my diagnosis a month ago of Prostrate Cancer - Gleason  4:3 but with a T3a report.  As a result things have been moving swiftly.  I have met my surgeon who ordered a bone scan that was done five days later and I was called to tell of my appointment for a Pre-Op medical assessment the following day.  I am now awaiting the date for surgery which will be a radical prostratectomy.  It all feels rather surreal.  I have no symptoms.  This process was started by my GP who noticed I hadn't had a full bloods test for some time and arranged this then called to say my PSA level was high.  It had more than doubled in less than 2 years, I had a PSA test at the rugby club before arranged by the Prostrate Cancer UK.  I was called for an examination and discussion, referred for an MRI that found an anomoly which generated an appointment to got to Urology for a biopsy which provided the evidence for the diagnosis.  

I'm 66 years old, recently married, fit, healthy, cycling regularly. I have been a triathlete and competed at National Championships, a rugby player and coach, completed many marathons and many other feats.  This all feels out of step.  It's beyond existensial.  I am coping, I think, its hard to tell with so much new territory, thoughts, and fears.  Its harder for others my wife in particular but children friends family are all affected.

One benefit is that I managed to raise over £700 for Macmillan by riding the Etape Loch Ness a couple of weeks ago.  66 miles around Loch Ness with some awesome climbs up into the highlands.  I was going to do it as a challenge after surgery on my ankle to cure arthritis but a little before the event I received all this and dedicated my ride to Macmillan.

How do others cope?

  • Hello  

    A warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Community, although I am so sorry to find you here. For a 66 year old, you have done very well keeping fit and cycling as you do - and a BIG THANK YOU for raising the funds to keep Macmillan and The Community going.

    Gleason 7 and a T3a, you say 

    I have met my surgeon

    May i ask did you chat to an oncologist to consider the other options, Radiotherapy, Brachytherapy and Radiotherapy and what influenced you to pick surgery?

    Great news that your GP is one who checks PSA  - I wish they all would!! Good luck with your surgery, do keep us updated with your progress - let us know if we can do anything to help.

    Best wishes - Brian.

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  • Hello  , welcome to the club  no one wants to be a member of, sorry to find you here. 

    Greetings from a fellow triathlete.

    It is surreal and existential, but you get used to it. There is life and sports after diagnosis though expectations needs to be different. 

    I'm also T3a and my treatment is radiotherapy and hormone therapy, it's worth checking your options before committing to a specific treatment path. 

    Well done on your charity ride! 

    Any questions you have please ask, we're a friendly bunch and we understand what you're going through. 

    Btw, if you click on a person's name in the forum, you'll get to their biography. This is where we put a summary of our cancer journey. It's useful to see where people are at, you can start populating your journey in your biography section of your profile.

    Regards 

    G