One of the problems with forums is that those with straightforward success stories tend not to join us, so we get a skewed view of things.
I'm delighted to be able to balance that up a bit by letting you all know that this morning I reached the light at the end of my journey, my 6 month PSA following radiotherapy is now back to normal.
If there is one thing I've learned, it's that trying to be highly analytical and understand every nuance of every result we get along the way does no good. The only thing pretty certain is that our conclusions will be wrong, so it's not worth analysing, just stick with the big picture, and save your mental strength for the battle.
I always took the view that the NHS know far more than I ever will, and if I had a big question, they provided a succinct answer. I trusted them, and I concentrated on battling through the nasty side effects. That was my part to play.
What I was confident of was that we caught it early, before it had chance to spread, and so I was one of the vast majority of people for whom recovery is highly likely, and not to be enveloped by feelings of doom. To be honest, on occasion, particularly early on its difficult to stop waking up at 3.00am in a panic, so it needs practice.
Most of us are old enough to remember the days when the word CANCER was whispered behind hands, and when it was effectively a death sentence. That's not the case, the chances of a cure (or control) are excellent, and we should not assume the worst. That's not to minimise the fact that a few will lose their own battles, and I have the greatest sympathy for them.
So grit your teeth, battle on with optimism and hope, don't try to be too clever, and hopefully you will reach the end of your own tunnel. (The great majority do!)
Be quietly honest with your friends, they will be quietly supportive of you with gentle words of encouragement, with a smile and a gentle touch on the arm. Take their kindness on board and use it when you are tired (as you will be!)
So crack on my friends, and the very very very best of luck to you all.