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User

Posted 23 Aug 2014 at 12:36

I heard about the website through another website.The link from the other website didnt work so i went through the web and have eventually joined the community.I have just been diagnosed.The surgeon telling me all samples taken were positive.I live in lanzarote the canary islands so treatments and proceedures will obviously vary.I now want to seek as much knowledge and offer any info about prostate cancer as i can.When i first found out i had a swollen prostate i spoke to my brother,who is 3 years older than me.He told me that he had also had a biopsy in which one out of 30 samples had come back positive and he was under treatment.

User

Posted 23 Aug 2014 at 18:11

Welcome Mark.

It would help other members if you could give a bit more detail.

You've seen a surgeon so presumably have had a biopsy.

What was your original PSA

what is your Gleason score

What has been advised treatment wise

What treatment is available in Lanzarote?

In the meantime, until anyone else comes along it just remains to say Best Wishes

Sandra

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 23 Aug 2014 at 22:06

Hi Mark.

Welcome to the group. Sorry you find yourself here. I was diagnosed 4 months ago & had a lot of investigating to do before I chose the treatment path for me.

My options were, removal (radical prostatectomy), Radiotherapy or Active monitoring. I visited lots of specialists, discussed all the pros & cons and decided on removal. I've just had a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy which is removal via key hole surgery.

Let us know your PSA level if you know & if they gave you a Gleeson Grade. This will allow lots of knowledgable folk on this forum a good guide as to what your options are.

Sounds like you're young, active and fit & will have lots of options to think of & a great opportunity for successful treatment.

Best wishes

Life's a Marathon. Run in peace.

User

Posted 23 Aug 2014 at 23:02

Hi Mark

One of my favourites places, Lanzarote, so lucky you http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif. You can check out my profile, total no hoper who's been around for years http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif despite the prognosis but I hope that you are in a much better position. As Sandra advised, a profile would be useful before we can offer meaningful advice http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif. Sometimes it can be hard to find the right information or peer support group. PCUK is an excellent start with lots of information and good support. You are also welcome on one of the offshoot forums :

http://pcasupportforum.proboards.com/

It's a bit less formal but full of "old hands" when it come to prostate cancer http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif

Nil desperandum
Allister

User

Posted 24 Aug 2014 at 19:35

Hi Mark,

Treatment options are likely to be heavily influenced by your 'Staging' which is normally established from biopsy and scans,althoug scans are not always given where PSA is very high and cancer presumed to be advanced. Basically, what this indicates is whether the cancer is well contained in the capsule, is in the process of breaking out or has escaped the capsule. When caught at an early stage the chances of a cure are very good. Conversely, as the cancer moves towards what is termed 'Advanced' radical treatments are much less likely to effect a cure but the rate the cancer progresses can be slowed by HT, various drugs and chemo alone or sometimes in addition to radical treatment. A good place to obtain information is the Toolkit on the main part of this charity. web site.

Barry

User

Posted 24 Aug 2014 at 23:54

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Welcome Mark.

It would help other members if you could give a bit more detail.

You've seen a surgeon so presumably have had a biopsy.

What was your original PSA

what is your Gleason score

What has been advised treatment wise

What treatment is available in Lanzarote?

In the meantime, until anyone else comes along it just remains to say Best Wishes

Sandra

sorry Johsan my initial blood test gave a reading of 98.This was taken three months after my first visit to my gp she then put me on the waiting list to see a urologist and take a .4mg tamsulosina teva once a day until i see the urologist.three months later i saw the urologist who put me down as urgent for a biopsy that was the last week in july and last thursday i had the results and the surgeon said it was advanced and we will be doing all the other scans and tests to determine if the tumour has entered anything else.I am still waiting to take the next step within the next three weeks according to the surgeon consultant.I looked on my original score sheet but i cant see the gleason thing you are talking about so maybe its a uk thing.Treatment in lanza is also shared with the hospital in gran canaria in las palmas dr negrin hospital.

User

Posted 24 Aug 2014 at 23:59

thanks also to Carlos,Alister and Barry for helpful info and kind words i will keep you all posted on progress once again thanks

User

Posted 25 Aug 2014 at 13:57

Hello again Mark.

I would have thought the Gleason score would have been international but perhaps it's called something different in Lanzarote.

Once the scans have been assessed both you and your medical team will have a better idea of treatment.

I didn't suggest it before (although I know one of the other members did) because I wasn't sure if PCUK would post abroad but if you order THE TOOLKIT through this site it is very helpful.

Even if you cannot obtain a hard copy I think you can still view the various aspects of it online.

It's full of info re treatments, side effects, expectations etc. Well worth a look

Keep strong. Keep posting with questions. Somebody will have been that route and will know the answer or how best to advise.

Best Wishes

Sandra

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 23 Oct 2014 at 14:11

Hi all again im still here,i would like to thank the website for enlightening me on medical terms and things to expect.My prostate cancer has developed into advanced and ive had three scans.The full bone scan was negative and on of the other scans revealed the cancer had reached the pelvis and the liver so they have put me on casodex 50 mg for minimum of 3 weeks then an injection into the prostate followed by more casodex for another 3 weeks and then a revision.My initial psa had jumped from 90 to 140 in 3 months.By the way these casodex tablets are mental i think ive had all the side effects twice over lol.Once again thanks to all on the sight and good luck.http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif

User

Posted 07 Mar 2015 at 13:08

just an update i said on my last post an injection into my prostate which should have said leg.my last psa came out at 13.8 and i have had an ultra sound on my liver which showed the lumps as benign.I have just had another blood test for psa and have another chat with the consultant on monday the 9th so once again thanks to all and wish everyone well Mark

User

Posted 07 Mar 2015 at 18:47

Prostate/leg - not a lot of difference Mark.
Good job consultants don't make mistakes like that. Could have been awkward !! http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif

Glad to see the PSA has come down drastically. Well done you and the docs.

Good luck on the 9th. Keep us posted.

PS since your October post I have holidayed in Amadores, Gran Canaria.
Beautiful part off the world

Edited by member 07 Mar 2015 at 18:48 | Reason: Not specified

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 12 Mar 2015 at 09:22

Hi Johsan im glad you enjoyed your hols in gran canaria,nice scenic walks and hikes in the hills and lovely beaches.I finally met an oncologist yesterday.My psa down to 2.4 but i found out they do have gleason scores in the canary islands and mine is 4+3 so im now going to have a p.e.t. and im having a thing surgically fitted around my chest to take the chemotherapy which will be starting next week.My lymph glands are infected and he also said that my liver isnt as benign and he did say it was lucky is was so young.so upwards and onwards.

User

Posted 01 Apr 2015 at 09:24

good morning to everyone on the site and i hope everyone feels as positive as i do.Its day 8 after my first course of chemo and to say i was apprehensive was an understatement.Apart from feeling lousy saturday and sunday with the usual toilet issues/accidents.I took on board the lip balm idea and pineapple and i pigged out for the first days until i started vomiting.I then starved myself for a day until my system calmed down.Yesterday i was back to feeling normal once again thanks for the ideas and insights from everyone.stay positive

Mark

User

Posted 09 Nov 2015 at 16:30

Good afternoon everyone on the site.I hope all your treatments are working.Once again thanks to all on the site.I have now finished my chemotherapy having been given the all clear.They fed me docetaxil of which i had 8 sessions.The oncologist gave me the all clear then said i should have 2 more sessions which i agreed to.As i said before i had it administered through a hickmans line or as they call it here a porta cath.Seems an easy and good bit of kit.Feel back to normal now with a six monthly injection.Main side effect was the loss of finger nails but a small price to pay.I hope and wish everyone the best and once again thanks to all.I do have a question if anyone on the site could help.I am not religious and when i go would like to donate my body to science,not that im off any time soon,so if anyone knows of organisations for body donations much obliged.

Mark

User

Posted 09 Nov 2015 at 17:04

Hello Mark,

Glad it all seems to have gone well for you. Long may that continue.

As for donating your body you could try contacting the Royal College of Surgeons (switchboard 020 7405 3474) they may be able to point you in the right direction.

Or have you asked at the hospital you attend?

It seems you need to put your wishes in writing and by the way have you mentioned it to your sons?

I'm sure you have but you wouldn't want them to have any unexpected surprises would you!!

Best Wishes

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 09 Nov 2015 at 17:46

Hi Mark, only just read your story as I am a relative newcomer to this site(Feb '15), well done for getting to where you are now with your PSA score and completing chemo you must be very relieved to have come out the other side, even though you will be monitored.
I always feel for those that have to have far more radical treatment than myself and feel that I have been lucky enough to only have advanced cancer but confined to the prostate, so have had HT and just finished RT. Fingers crossed that it is sorted now.

Congratulations and best wishes

Chris/Woody

Life seems different upside down, take another viewpoint

User

Posted 14 Nov 2015 at 10:34

Thanks Johsan and Puffingbilly for the kind words and info,i will follow up with some phone calls.Hope alls well with you guys.

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