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 again newtoallthis
You are quite correct to say
there are several options to the drugs that can all do the same thing,
and it will be up to your team to decide which is their treatment of choice. As you are starting Bicalutamide this will at least put an initial block on the cancer spreading further.
I assume the second operation you are heading for in January is a TURP where they shave the bottom off the prostate to open up the urethra. I have had this operation myself and confirm it works!!
I wish you well moving forward. Please do keep us updated with your progress, at the same time do ask any questions, nothing is to trivial.
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.
Good Morning (newtoallthis (f921149654f6446490766ad8a90a0fdb))
Ah! Thanks for that. In that case good luck with that then. I am aware that surgery can cause issues with the urethra, the most common one being to make it shorter.
To put it mildly you have been very unlucky with your treatment - and look to be taking the follow up very well.
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.
