Just been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer that has spread to my hip and rib

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Hi, I've just been told that from a PET scan following a removal of my Prostate in August that unfortunately they did not remove all the cancer cells which has meant that they have now spread to my rib and hip. This information was told to me over the phone and it was a Big shock. Up until that call I have been in the mindset that I had some remaining cells left in the prostate bed which was detected after two separate PSA Blood tests, one at 0.2 and the 0.3 hence the PET scan. I was expecting to be guided to Radiotherapy to get rid of the remaining cells in the prostate bed but now that has been cancelled and am looking at Hormone treatment for the rest of my life to help contain the spread.

I did what most people do and looked on the net last night to see exactly where I'm heading but I did only look on the Prostate UK site to try to minimise any differences between various other sites.

I have already been prescribed the drug Bicalutamide from my Macmillan Cancer Nurse who called me which I begin tomorrow but have yet to have a face to face appointment with my Oncologist which is not until the 19th of Dec. Just reading through some of the blogs since joining a short while ago I seem to get the impression that there are several options to the drugs that can all do the same thing, am I correct in that assumption?

To add to my ongoing problems since my Prostate removal I have a tightening of the urethra caused by the scaring after the op, basically its where they cut through to release the prostate during the surgery which means I have great difficulty in peeing!! So another op booked in for the 27th Jan, Great

Feeling very nervous and a bit lost

  • Hello  

    A warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Community although I am so sorry to find you joining us. I am Brian, one of the Community Champions here on the Community and am in the 4th year of my personal prostate cancer journey. (You can read this by clicking on my user name or avatar).

    The Community is divided up into cancer specific groups or forums and I would advise you to join us on the prostate cancer group - here's the link you need:

    Prostate cancer forum 

    Once you click on the link I have provided, click on "join" on the black banner at the bottom of the page. You can then introduce yourself in the "New Here - Say Hello" section. You can either copy and paste or repost the post above. You will have plenty of replies and I can assure you we are a friendly bunch!

    I look forward to "meeting" you again in our part of the Community.

    Best wishes - Brian.

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    Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • Thank you Brian, I will do that

  • If you are having difficulty peeing and the usual medications don't work you can talk to your care team about intermittent self catheterisation.

    I've had the training and it gives you a backup plan if you are struggling.

    Hope this helps. Rob

  • Thanks Rob, I have heard of that but am hoping to hold out till my op. Its not totally blocked just takes me for ever to have a pee!

  • No problem hope the op goes well. All the best Rob