Diagnosis day on Wednesday

I was 46 on diagnosis so know exactly where you're coming from. You are so right about there being two worlds brother. The cancer world, particularly at the beginning, seems so unreal because this time a few months ago, cancer was not part of your life - and now, despite your best wishes, it must be. No amount of advice will help alleviate the fears. However, in the early days, I used to alott two days a week to worrying about cancer, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and for the remainder of the week, it did not enter (nor I did not allow it to) enter my head. Every man finds his own strategy to deal (for good or bad) with his cancer and you will find yours too.

As far as your appointment, I strongly suggest writing all your questions down as the sheer significance of the day tends to cloud any rational thought and you end up coming out of the meeting confused and none the wiser having forgotten to ask the most salient of questions. So, write them down now then take a pen and paper to jot the answers down at your appointment. Ask for your Gleason scores, both the first and second numbers, how many cores were taken, how many cores were cancerous and if so, by what percentage. You may or may not be given a TNM score depending upon whether you have had any scans. Ask the consultant to lay out the treatment options for you and any further investigative work that many need to be done first. Remember, some consultants have a bent towards different treatments so I would firstly see what the options are then go home, absorb the news then start researching those specialists in your hospital/s who offer these treatments, if necessary making appointments to see them with your numbers to gauge their views on treatment efficacy based specifically on your biopsy.

After all this research, you should feel more empowered to make the right treatment option for you. Only you can decide that based on the meetings you have with the professionals. Remember one thing, knowledge is power so make sure on Wednesday, you go armed with a comprehensive checklist of questions so that both you and the medical professional can go forward in full knowledge of the facts. Until then, grab a glass, fill it with your favourite tipple, watch some TV, do some gardening, go for a brisk walk, plan a short break holiday, whatever you need to do to allow your mind to think about better things.

I wish you well brother and please do let us know on here what the outcome is. There are men who have experienced the whole gamut of treatments at all stages of disease and can advise, support and guide you right.

Take care

Bazza

Edited by member 06 Nov 2016 at 13:02  | Reason: Not specified

Hope Wednesday's appointment goes as well as it can. My sequence of events were, I saw the consultant one week after my biopsy, straight to the point sorry Mr C, 10 of 12 samples positive, you have Prostate cancer. He was very positive about the future outcomes. I went on my own and remember very little else, so take someone with you. I was told the options were RP or RT but all subject to MRI ,CT and bone scans.

Following the 5-10 minute appointment with the consultant I had too wait about 30 minutes to see the Urology/ oncology nurse,she spent about an hour with me and went through loads of info,and answered any questions and was very supportive.

Thanks Chris

Hi Walter,

On the positive side you have looked into Pca and getting to grips with treatment and expectations early. I went into my appointment thinking I had a bladder problem, even after my bio's and was hit by the cancer word for the first time 60 seconds in the door. I did however quickly take out my phone and asked if I could record the consultation and this I found really helpful afterwards. I did it for every consultation afterwards. My appointment lasted about 1/2 hr and was given the toolkit, etc, told what scans I would have and got appointment for consultant.

Good luck for your appointment.

Steven

Sorry for the delay in responding to your question. Since the start of my PCa journey, I've been on this website every day and I've been researching the condition and its treatments. I got to the point of exhaustion over the past few days and needed to stay away.

I'm not a member of the Lions Club - it was a public event they held. I have now told my family about the diagnosis and will be telling my work colleagues next week. I've also told my employers, who have been kind and supportive. Once I have told colleagues, I plan to contact the Lions to thank them.

Walter