Hello, this is my first post, just wanted to introduce myself. Having recently been diagnosed I thought it would be good to get educated in the ‘real world’ as it where, booklets and handouts are much needed and appreciated however, reading/discussing things with real people in real situations can give another perspective. Having visited my doctor because I was having trouble peeing I had a PSA test that afternoon, was rung at home by the doctor the next morning and then within the space of ten days I had had every test and probe and scan than I ever thought possible! This must be serious I thought, these things take weeks and months to arrange normally. Obviously it was serious, and the speed at which the system managed my diagnoses was a real tribute to the NHS, when the things get serious they always seem to come through. Once my diagnoses had come through however, (Gleason 7(4+3), PSA 66, T4, NX, M0) things started to sink in, questions where forming in my head, realisation (OMFG!!!!), mortality, (will I outlive the dog), practicality (those over 50 adverts suddenly seem appealing!) all of these things appeared quite quickly. Once I sat down with my Oncologist I realised that they don’t like those kind of questions, and only reply (understandably) with statistics, forecasts and test results, it became clear that I needed to talk with like-minded people in similar situations and day to day issues. So here I am, my treatment plan has started, I’ve started hormone therapy which will continue for approx two months before Chemotherapy (ouch), then Brachytherepy (double ouch) with some hormone treatment continuing for the rest of the two years, he has given me the option of the Stampede trial too which sounds like fun. So there we are, that’s me, forgive my jollity, but poking fun at this thing is a defence mechanism that serves me well. I’ll be around, reading and asking questions as they arise, hope to converse with some of you soon. SB