Frightened and alone

Hi Tim,

Welcome to this forum though sorry for the reason that brings you here, Your nervous apprehension is experienced by probably everybody to some extent concerning both tests and possible treatment for cancer should this be the prognosis when all tests and scans have been done. You don't say whether you are having a template biopsy ,usually done under anesthesia or the TRUS one where cores are taken from the Prostate through the rectum. There is a greater risk of infection from the latter but even if you were one of the unlucky minority to have one this can be dealt with by antibiotics. There is very little pain; it feels like being flicked quite lightly with a rubber band.

If you are diagnosed with PCa, your cancer journey will to a large extent depend on how aggressive and advanced your cancer is and your treatment will be tailored accordingly. Where PCa is diagnosed, treatment aims to be curative where possible but otherwise to further restrain what is generally a slowly developing disease. Try not to panic, even if you do have PCa and this has still to be established, there are various treatments that can be given which are becoming increasingly effective.

If you should be diagnosed with PCa, I think it helps to learn more about this disease and possible treatments and I would suggest you download or obtain a hard copy of the 'Toolkit' available from the publications dept of this charity.

Anyway, let us know how you get on and if you post details of a prognosis under your Profile, as many here do, it helps us have a better idea of how an individual is affected and to post more meaningful replies.

Edited by member 24 May 2019 at 12:18  | Reason: Not specified

I'll reiterate that the procedure is not painful, just a bit uncomfortable. The anticipation of it is much worse. Wishing you all the best for today, and let us know how it went afterwards.

Actually, I would say that none of the diagnostic procedures I've had have been painful, and I've had most of them (because my PSA is significantly higher than the level of disease they found, they kept looking for more).

By the way, don't be alarmed when you next see your semen. It will look like something that the make-up artists on Holby City would be truly proud of. That's absolutely normal. Again, that's not at all painful.

Sorry to hear that, Tim but, as I said in my previous reply to you, please don’t feel that you have to go through this alone. This community is here to support you.

Do you know if your G7 is “3+4” or “4+3”?

Best wishes,

Chris

Yes, I’m afraid that whatever treatment you opt for, the results will be life-changing. There’s no escaping that fact. It would be worth seeing both a surgeon and an oncologist so you can hear the options for both surgical and radiation-based treatment.

Best wishes,

Chris

This may seem impossible to believe at the moment, but the knowledge that you do have cancer eventually becomes "the new you" and you'll start enjoying life again. Just take it a day at a time until the worst of the shock wears off, and you'll get through it.

As Ido4 says, the PCUK specialist nurses are very helpful. I would suggest giving them a ring on the Freephone number at the top of the page and having a chat.

Best wishes,

Chris