Waiting for my biopsy result

Hi Derek

Yes, the waiting is always the worst part, just not knowing what’s ahead. In my case it was the MDT meeting that finally decided my staging, which was changed…for the worse😟 if you have a CNS contact them and see if they have the results of the biopsies. I now bypass my GP for my PSA results as they take at least a week, when the results are normally available 1/2 days after the test. I now just phone my CNS and someone phones me back. It really helps with the anxiety.

Withe regard to what you want…

1. yes we all want to be cancer free but the likelihood hood is that either of the options is likely to come up with a similar outcome. It may be with T3a you are more likely to require SRT If you have RARP.
b. My feeling (and it’s only in my experience through Maggies) is that the side effects of RARP are more predictable than HT/RT. RARP is major surgery, you are going to be out of action for a while and need to take your recovery slowly. Most guys I know suffer from fatigue, ED and incontinence after the Op…to varying degrees and length. HT/RT route however seems to depend on the individual, some get off very lightly, others (like me🤣🤣) get every side effect going. It hasn’t stopped my life however, just changed it. Joint ache is by far the worst for me, still trying to do something about that. Others I have had…anxiety, insomnia, ED, zero libido, brain fog, hot flushes can be managed but joint ache is affecting my QOL. If you go down this route you might be on HT for 3 years and the advice I would give anyone on HT is to keep as active as possible.
C. With regards to your football, there’s no reason why you can’t continue playing during HT/RT. Some men get very fatigued but that’s the only side effect I haven’t had! If you have RARP I think it will be a while before you a4e back playing football.

Again, only through my experiences I would say if you go for RARP allow, 1 year to get your energy and fitness levels back to what they were. Going down the HT/RT route you might have side effects lasting up to 3 years or longer, but if you’re fit(and lucky!) you might be able to carry on your life as normal.

All the best whatever you decide.

Derek

Hi DerekZQN. I remember being at your stage, waiting for the biopsy results. The scores on the doors at that point were similar to yours - probably have cancer but only the biopsy result will tell for sure. I was really irritable, frustrated, angry even, couldn't sleep. It is the worst part of your journey (mentally at least). I note you are keen to resume your walking football and that is something great to focus on through your treatment. Decho mentioned about a year to get back to full fitness after RP but I suspect you will be able to get back to your football a good bit sooner, if that is the route you take.  I had a prostatectomy (open surgery) and I reckon I was back to pretty much full fitness after 6 months. I have just looked through an old calendar and noted I did a 20 mile walk in the Peak District at 5 months (without difficulty). The only thing that was different was the incontinence and having to change pads twice during the walk. Good luck.

I had Retzius sparing RARP with neurosafe back in nov 2019. I was back in the gym building my weight training back up steadily 12 weeks later. Does take a year for things to properly settle and scar tissues to soften but never looks back. It’s major surgery and have to be careful on what you do for the full 12 weeks and follow the doctors instructions. I was up an around day rafter surgery and apart from the wounds and catheter felt top notch. Another patient and I were out giving the nurses some banter 🤪😆🫢

Hi Derek,

It’s a life changer no matter what the treatment and you’re probably looking at a long road ahead. I’m 7 months into 3 years of HT, had 6x3 weekly chemo, brachytherapy and today just had the 5th of 20 EBRT radiotherapy sessions. It’s wrecking my body and I want to get out on the mountain bike, but in the mean time doing my best to keep active dog walking.

I wasn’t offered any options other than the brachytherapy, the treatment plan determined by the MDT. I put my trust in it/them.

Do some research, but my advice now would be to make sure you get a really good night out with plenty of fine beer and wine before your treatment starts 😬.

All the very best of luck, and if you do have choices to make I hope it works out for the best 🤞🤞

Cheers

Spongebob