Hi and welcome from me,
You've been diagnosed and you have to make a decision as which route to take , surgery or radiotherapy? Conflicting advice abounds and we each have our opinions and experiences to offer to confuse you further !
So here goes for me, T3a , Psa 33.5 , Gleason 5+4+3 . Local spread to lymph nodes and seminal vesicle - Age 57 upon diagnosis.
I could not have surgery but I am on HT and had 37 sessions of RT. I have not had any Incontinence problems, nor had to wear any pads nor bags during or post treatment but have had hot flushes, no libido, fatigue and teariness , which should cease after I finish HT. There were very short lived bowel and urinary issues during RT treatment. Again there are current ED issues which are being addressed ( which affects most men in some form or another whichever treatment choice they make) and should rectify after HT ceases. Like many on this site I have had some very difficult days to contend with, but I'm sure I'm through the worst now.
My 18 month post RT Psa reading as of last week, showed as completely undetectable, and can only be recorded as <0.1. It took some time achieve this result but I am delighted with the treatment I received and this latest result obtained . My oncologist made me aware though that there is still the risk of recurrence and I must not become complacent.
I have a friend who had RP and is now awaiting confirmation of salvage treatment, following upward Psa levels over the past 2 years following surgery. He is now asking me what's it like to have HT and RT. As he says, he's lucky to have this further option.
Good luck with your decision and travels with this disease,
John