Hi all
Just wanted to give an update on treatment outcomes. Having been diagnosed with Gleason 9 and post surgery report of having spread to a lymph node and positive margins, Iw asn’t feeling overly optimistic. Biclautamide (150mg) and plently of radiotherapy to prostate bed and lymph node area were duly applied, which completley flattened me. My body didn’t cope well!
So now I’m out the other side, and living with lasting side effects of mild incontinece (stress dribbles), lymphodema, diminished penis size, altered (slight loss) of libido, general intolerance of aclohol, slightly unprecitable bowel, and always having to pack pads anywhere I go for overnight stays. Fortunately, full erections have returned!
On the plus side, my PSA has remained at <0.003. The latest test was three months on from finishing the hormone therapy, and is still holding. To celebrate, I did an endurance event yesterday – 22 miles of hill walking and rockclimbing in the rain, to mark this stage of recovery.
I think I mainly want to thank all of you for the support (often unwittingly) you have given me through this site, to the PCUK nurses and even the medical people who have mutilated me. It has been a hard two years of treatment that I struggle to recommend to anyone! I would also like to let other Gleason 9 people know that there can be good outcomes (so far…).
Keep going everyone, we’re not alone.
Very best wishes for your journey
Graham