Hi,
I am one year post operation to remove my prostate. I have joined the group to offer support to others going through this experience. My current situation is, after three scares about spread, I am cancer free and my latest PSA is 0.05.
Back in January 2024, my journey began with a trip to the doctors after I had a rough time over Christmas with mental health issues. These were due to my problems with going wee. My problems were weak stream and increased frequency. I was diagnosed with enlarged prostate and given treatment, but the doctor also felt it was best I had a PSA test. The PSA result was 9.8 and I was sent for an MRI scan in March. The scan found a suspicious mass and a biopsy in March confirmed it was cancer and a Gleeson score of 4:3. A CT Scan confirmed there was no evidence of spread.
When we met to discuss treatment options, I made sure the team knew I had Ulcerative Colitis. This information changed my treatment options to surgery.
In June 2024, I had the operation and started the long road back. I went home with a Catheter and a Blood Drain still connected. The blood drain was removed after 7 days and the catheter was removed after 24 days. As soon as the catheter was removed, I went down with a water infection that took three weeks to clear up.
As I started to move around, I started to have hip pain. When I went to the GP, an investigation for spread started. This turned out to be a muscle problem from the operation and some physio helped this to improve.
After the operation I had a lot of fatigue and some brain fog. In December this was not improving and I was sent for some blood tests and this time the concern was possible spread to my liver. This turned out to be fatty liver.
In February 2025, I had blood in my urine and was back on the fast track with the NHS. A mass was found in my bladder and a biopsy was taken. After a scary long wait it wasn't cancer.
From an incontinence perspective, I regained a level of control in November 2024 and was dry by Christmas. However, the Bladder biopsy led to the return of my incontinence. I am now back dry about 8 weeks after the biopsy. The pelvic floor exercises really do work!
Along the way, my wife has been amazing, the NHS has done a wonderful job, and I have needed some Cognitive Behaviour Treatment to come to terms with the cancer and the changes the operation (non-nerve sparing) has made to my life.
Hello Paul (Paul65plus10)
Thank you for your post and offer to support others going through/after surgery. It's much appreciated.
To make a permanent record of your journey that anyone can read and you can add to it as time goes along (you can read mine by clicking on my name or avatar) why not copy and paste the above and add it to your profile.
To do this on your home page click on the chair (top right) - then Profile and then edit. Once you have added the details don't forget to click on save.
Many thanks and I wish you well moving forward.
Best wishes - Brian.
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
Strength, Courage, Faith, Hope, Defiance, VICTORY.
I am a Macmillan volunteer.
