18 months on ...
Actually as I finish writing this in December 2015, it is now a bit longer, but I have been writing this for a while. I hope it may be of some use and reassurance, particularly to anyone who has just been told they are affected by prostate cancer, and is wondering what lies ahead.
I am now 58. I first went to my GP to ask for a blood test when I was 51. He pretty much dismissed me out of hand, suggesting that the thinking that any man over 50 should get tested was a waste of time. Nevertheless I insisted and he agreed, so I had my first PSA test which came out at a PSA of 6. Not a regular reading, so I started having tests more regularly.
I then let things lapse a bit as 6 was “my number”. I had not been for around 14 months when I went for a test in November 2013, which showed a PSA of 8. By then I had a more understanding GP who called me in for a chat and asked me to get tested in February 2014.
By then my PSA was 11, clearly a concern so I started on the round of tests, biopsies, MRI, etc. On St George’s Day, April 23rd 2014 I learned I had prostate cancer, Gleason Score 3+4 at age 57. That was the worst moment of my life until I told my daughters 3 weeks later.
I was offered a range of treatments and chose the route of Hormones, HD Brachytherapy, followed by 15 sessions of Radiotherapy.
I read all I could, and remained petrified. My family were an absolute blessing, they supported me 100% and while they too were frightened, they treated me normally and were understanding.
The actual treatments were not as bad as I feared, Brachytherapy sounded like it was barbaric, but I got over it. I was doing a lot of exercise before, and I thoroughly recommend that.
I finished my daily radiotherapy at the end of September 2014. I gather I had an easy time of it. The chap who had the appointment after me each day did suffer, so I believe I was fortunate.
I saw the consultant a few weeks later and by then I was feeling over it. I was taking, and still am taking, hormones and Tamsulosin every day.
12 months later and I have just seen the consultant again. I was pleased to be able to say I lead a normal life. I tried to come off the Tamsulosin, but felt uncomfortable so will stay on it.
I will be taking the hormones for 6 more months. I did get concerned about gynaecomastia along the way, but a once a week tablet (Tamoxifen) seems to have sorted that out.
I have had a couple of urinary infections, but that seems to be a recognised consequence.
The one big thing I have changed is my diet. No beef or dairy products for me, and very little red meat, I do pay attention to ingredients on food packaging. There is a lot of concern out there about the relationship between dairy and cancer.
I take a few supplements including Pomi-T. I am not convinced they will have a dramatic effect, but they help me feel I am doing something.
I hope this helps someone, I know I have been fortunate. Initially things are a day at a time, then a week, then months go by.
I wish you well, much strength and happiness.
Pierre
Edited by member 02 Dec 2015 at 16:34
| Reason: Not specified
|
User
Four and a half years since I last posted, time marches on, I just became an OAP.
It is just over 9 years since it was confirmed that I had Prostate Cancer. I started hormone treatment 9 years ago today, and my PSA at that point was 11.2, having been 8.0 a few months earlier.
As well as the hormone treatment (for a little over 2 years), I had HD Brachytherapy, and Radiotherapy. I adopted a healthier, dairy free diet, and still do not eat a lot of beef.
Re-reading my previous posts brings back a mix of memories. I hope that "ressurecting" this thread helps give some perspective.
I still get 6 monthly blood tests, PSA has never been higher than 0.2. I know I am fortunate.
So for those who are newly diagnosed, and those who are worried about them, there is hope, keep positive, I wish you well!
Pierre
Edited by member 05 Jun 2023 at 08:16
| Reason: Clarifications after receiving private messages.
|
User
18 months on ...
Actually as I finish writing this in December 2015, it is now a bit longer, but I have been writing this for a while. I hope it may be of some use and reassurance, particularly to anyone who has just been told they are affected by prostate cancer, and is wondering what lies ahead.
I am now 58. I first went to my GP to ask for a blood test when I was 51. He pretty much dismissed me out of hand, suggesting that the thinking that any man over 50 should get tested was a waste of time. Nevertheless I insisted and he agreed, so I had my first PSA test which came out at a PSA of 6. Not a regular reading, so I started having tests more regularly.
I then let things lapse a bit as 6 was “my number”. I had not been for around 14 months when I went for a test in November 2013, which showed a PSA of 8. By then I had a more understanding GP who called me in for a chat and asked me to get tested in February 2014.
By then my PSA was 11, clearly a concern so I started on the round of tests, biopsies, MRI, etc. On St George’s Day, April 23rd 2014 I learned I had prostate cancer, Gleason Score 3+4 at age 57. That was the worst moment of my life until I told my daughters 3 weeks later.
I was offered a range of treatments and chose the route of Hormones, HD Brachytherapy, followed by 15 sessions of Radiotherapy.
I read all I could, and remained petrified. My family were an absolute blessing, they supported me 100% and while they too were frightened, they treated me normally and were understanding.
The actual treatments were not as bad as I feared, Brachytherapy sounded like it was barbaric, but I got over it. I was doing a lot of exercise before, and I thoroughly recommend that.
I finished my daily radiotherapy at the end of September 2014. I gather I had an easy time of it. The chap who had the appointment after me each day did suffer, so I believe I was fortunate.
I saw the consultant a few weeks later and by then I was feeling over it. I was taking, and still am taking, hormones and Tamsulosin every day.
12 months later and I have just seen the consultant again. I was pleased to be able to say I lead a normal life. I tried to come off the Tamsulosin, but felt uncomfortable so will stay on it.
I will be taking the hormones for 6 more months. I did get concerned about gynaecomastia along the way, but a once a week tablet (Tamoxifen) seems to have sorted that out.
I have had a couple of urinary infections, but that seems to be a recognised consequence.
The one big thing I have changed is my diet. No beef or dairy products for me, and very little red meat, I do pay attention to ingredients on food packaging. There is a lot of concern out there about the relationship between dairy and cancer.
I take a few supplements including Pomi-T. I am not convinced they will have a dramatic effect, but they help me feel I am doing something.
I hope this helps someone, I know I have been fortunate. Initially things are a day at a time, then a week, then months go by.
I wish you well, much strength and happiness.
Pierre
Edited by member 02 Dec 2015 at 16:34
| Reason: Not specified
|
User
Seize the day indeed Pierre, you've certainly done that.
Sorry that life (other than Prostate Cancer) has caused you even more stress and I hope that it is more settled now.
Condolences on your losses, not an easy thing to deal with when you have a potentially life threatening disease yourself.
You seem to have your condition under control and yours is another positive posting this week which will help members going through a current rough patch
*******
We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails |
User
Great post Pierre. I had exactly the same treatment as you five years ago. I too have a maximum PSA post treatment of 0.2. I don't think any of us can say we are "out of the woods" but the longer one goes without a problem, the more confident one feels about the future. Seeing a post from someone four years further down the track is reassuring.
Most posts on this forum are from people with problems, that means readers of this forum are not seeing that for the majority of people with prostate cancer the outcome is very good.
|
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Good morning Pierre
I read your update with interest and I am sure it will help others on their various journeys.
I hope the way things are going that it' continues in the right direction.
You may have been luckier than some in the same situation, but hey, there are others luckier than you too my John being one of them.
Keep smiling and laying off the dairy. I was told many years ago that red meat and dairy have a bad effect on arthritis so diet must play an important part in our health.
Best Wishes
Sandra
We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails |
User
This is a good report Pierre - I thought I remembered you from last year but it seems you only joined yesterday so welcome to the forum :-)
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
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User
All positive stories are welcomed here. Keep up your progress and keep posting as it will be helpful to those who will be using this forum in the future. People need to know a diagnosis of PCa can be treated successfully.
Paul
Stay Calm And Carry On. |
User
Hello Gents,
Seven more months on, so I thought I would post an update. As before I hope it may help any gents who have just been told they are affected by prostate cancer, and are wondering what lies ahead.
I was diagnosed in April 2013. My first post was in December 2015, and now it is July 2016. Since my first post, I had a rough patch of haematuria, but that was sorted out. Maybe a side effect of my treatment, maybe something I would have had anyway, it is fixed.
My status now is that my last PSA reading was less than 0.1, something like the 6th or 7th in a row. So positive there!
I maintained my diet, I avoid dairy / beef. I added farmed fish to the ban list and eat a lot more vegetarian meals (meaning no cheese). I take a few supplements, take a look at Pomi-T
I came off all my meds, so no Tamsulosin, Bicalutamide, Dutasteride in a 2 week window. I also came off Tamoxifen about 4 weeks later. All following my consultant's advice.
I do not self-diagnose, but I do try to understand my condition. I also try to appreciate that my GP is a generalist not a specialist and allow for gaps in his knowledge.
It has been tough but today, I feel "normal".
In the same timeframe of all of this, my Father became ill and died, my Uncle died of prostate cancer, I was made redundant, we had many other family stresses, I looked for a new job, I started a new job (stressful), we had the (apparently) normal stress of dealing with my Father's death, estate, etc. I know I don't have a monopoly on bad fortune.
I am now on 6 monthly PSA tests, the next is in November 2016. It will be higher than 0.1, I know that. From there we will see what happens.
But today I feel good, the sun is on my back and I don't feel like the bloke in Macmillan cancer promo stood alone, freezing in the cold. My family made sure of that.
Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero Carpe Diem
Pierre
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User
Seize the day indeed Pierre, you've certainly done that.
Sorry that life (other than Prostate Cancer) has caused you even more stress and I hope that it is more settled now.
Condolences on your losses, not an easy thing to deal with when you have a potentially life threatening disease yourself.
You seem to have your condition under control and yours is another positive posting this week which will help members going through a current rough patch
*******
We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails |
User
Sometimes I wish you could bottle "sheer bloody mindedness" and then take a couple of spoonfuls when needed. "Keep going" tablets would be great too!
flexi
User
Hi Pierre
Its always good to read success. Hope it gives encouragement to those not going down the surgical route.
Icing on the cake to help others would be a summary or more of this post on your bio.
Keep doing well.
Ray
User
Hello all,
I haven't visited in a while, I hope you are all well.
It is now nearly 3 years since I was first diagnosed.
Since my last post in this thread in July 2016, thankfully things have continued to go well.
I am so glad to be off the medications, I realise now what an adverse effect they were having, but am glad they have played their part in getting me to where I am. I feel back to normal now, with no side effects.
My November PSA was 0.2, so was last week's test.
I am not going to take things for granted, last week I met an old friend who had a relapse and is terminal, but still seizing the day. It was a sobering experience just before I got my results and gave me the jitters.
So for those who are newly diagnosed, and those who are worried about them, there is hope, keep positive, I wish you well!
Pierre
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User
Great update Pierre - another brachytherapy success story. Sorry to hear about your friend though - what was his primary treatment?
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
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User
Hello again all,
The gap between my posts gets longer each time it seems, and that is a good thing. More than 18 months this time.
It is now over 5 years since that first worrying blood test when I was 56. More than 4 years since my brachytherapy and radiotherapy treatments. I have been off all meds for two and a half years.
I get a PSA blood test every six months. Since my treatment most results have been PSA = 0.2. Today I learned my most recent was less than 0.1.
I am not taking things for granted, and plan to retire soon. Since I was diagnosed three of my uncles also were. As a previous post, one has passed, one is terminal, and the third is on watchful waiting.
I can only end this post the same way as the last one. So for those who are newly diagnosed, and those who are worried about them, there is hope, keep positive, I wish you well!
Pierre
|
User
Four and a half years since I last posted, time marches on, I just became an OAP.
It is just over 9 years since it was confirmed that I had Prostate Cancer. I started hormone treatment 9 years ago today, and my PSA at that point was 11.2, having been 8.0 a few months earlier.
As well as the hormone treatment (for a little over 2 years), I had HD Brachytherapy, and Radiotherapy. I adopted a healthier, dairy free diet, and still do not eat a lot of beef.
Re-reading my previous posts brings back a mix of memories. I hope that "ressurecting" this thread helps give some perspective.
I still get 6 monthly blood tests, PSA has never been higher than 0.2. I know I am fortunate.
So for those who are newly diagnosed, and those who are worried about them, there is hope, keep positive, I wish you well!
Pierre
Edited by member 05 Jun 2023 at 08:16
| Reason: Clarifications after receiving private messages.
|
User
Great post Pierre. I had exactly the same treatment as you five years ago. I too have a maximum PSA post treatment of 0.2. I don't think any of us can say we are "out of the woods" but the longer one goes without a problem, the more confident one feels about the future. Seeing a post from someone four years further down the track is reassuring.
Most posts on this forum are from people with problems, that means readers of this forum are not seeing that for the majority of people with prostate cancer the outcome is very good.
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