RT. What it looks like....

I am ashamed to say that I have not visited the forum in recent times but I still follow the charity on Facebook and am often reminded of the superb support I received from them through my treatment. It seemed appropriate to update you all on how things have gone since I first posted and since my treatment was completed.

I'm pleased to say that overall it's been a success story. As you'll see from my posts on this thread and on others I was a staunch supporter of the HT/RT route. I researched all options from surgery through the various forms of RT and decided that private treatment didn't offer anything over what the NHS could offer. Although I have to add that I was very privileged to be treated by Christie's in Manchester. 

Since treatment ended and the inflammation of the bowel subsided I've been in good health. A little run down and tired for a few months but nothing limiting. I did have a dose of Shingles the next autumn which the GP said might have been related to my immune system being lowered but it was short lived and although I do seem to get recurrences every few months they are nothing more than a mild annoyance. 

My urination pattern hasn't really changed post treatment. I still tend to pee for England but with management of caffeine and alcohol levels it varies from 90 mins in the mornings to 180 mins later in the day. Urgency was a problem for about six months and can still cause issues but I found that the 330/440ml Lucozade bottle became my greatest friend. The larger neck accommodates even the biggest boy!

I usually manage through the night on one visit to the loo but more recently I've noticed an undisturbed night is not uncommon. I never suffered any problem with flow rates etc. Everything is much as it was before. 

From the virility aspect not much has changed. I was never going to be a 'Cavalier amongst Pork Swordsmen' again at 63 anyway so whilst the ability to gain an erection is reduced, with half a tablet of Sildenafil normal service is resumed. Luckily my wife and I don't regard that aspect of our forty year marriage as too important anymore but I hope I can reassure younger men that RT doesn't mean the end of your sex life.

My PSA scores have gone from 12 pre treatment to 0.36. I hit 0.50 on one check but it's back down again. I have been discharged by my Urologist and I will have my last annual review with Christie's next month. 

There is a common syndrome that anal bleeding can occur around 18 months down the line and indeed I have had the odd occurrence but bowel screening has repeatedly come back clean and I find that so long as I don't indulge my passion for hot curries more than once a week everything is good. In fact I would say that my bowels now function better than they did before. 

All in all I feel much as I did pre-treatment. Any differences are more likely due to age rather than PCa but who knows. What I do know is that having taken on the illness in my own way and decided my own path I feel all I can do is be grateful for the support I received here and the treatment I received through the NHS. 

For those of you just starting out on the journey. Stick in there. You can come out the other side feeling as you did before. You'll never stop looking over your shoulder at Cancer but it can be treated and you can come out the other side without it changing your life forever. 

Good Luck. 

Sounds like your treatment has been very good with a fantastic PSA response.

All the best going forward.