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18 months post surgery.

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User

Posted 08 Sep 2023 at 17:09

Hoping you luck and successful "cure" like me - my PSA has remained the same, <0.003, for the past 12 years. I still worry though!!

'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.' Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

User

Posted 08 Sep 2023 at 18:11

Vern, great result.

Thanks Chris.

User

Posted 30 Oct 2023 at 17:43

Hi All,

I'm now 9 months post op and was doing ok but last couple months have crashed on hopeless thoughts involving my health both physical and mental, very disturbed sleep which doesn't help I'm 4 years into retirement and should be doing better .

Any advice to how I go about improving things would be appreciated, feeling I need more than 10 minutes in GP surgery.

Regards to you all.

Vern.

User

Posted 30 Oct 2023 at 19:19

Hi Vern,

I am 2 years post surgery, but I do recall many dark days and moods approaching the first anniversary - ( even though like you my PSA was undetectable at 0.006) - perhaps a delayed post trauma reaction. Perhaps it is with darkening days of autumn ? Don't beat yourself up - I think it is just being human.

I retired post surgery, and keep myself busy with art painting as my main pastime, getting out and walking in nature for birds, orchids, butterflies, or fungi now as autumn progresses. Always trying to find small pleasures each day. What are your main hobbies ?

The first year was hard with slow recovery over incontinence, now only 1 pad a day, minor leaking. Ongoing ED a definite source of dark moods, but in this 2nd year there is recovery and progress in this area too.

I think it is thought, "oh one is healed from the surgery, so all should be ok", but it is more complicated and more drawn out than that. So I concur with the rollercoaster of moods and thoughts. Here for you.

Edited by member 30 Oct 2023 at 19:21 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 30 Oct 2023 at 19:33

A very kind reply and makes sense lots of things piling in on me including the ED and now 5 weeks from next PSA test, like you I love getting out and walking I tend to walk by the sea at least three times a week and happy place for me .

Also suffer from extreme anxiety over bad weather which we have plenty of at moment not sure anything can be done about that .

Again thanks for taking the time .

Vern.

User

Posted 30 Oct 2023 at 19:34

Ey up Vern.

Like you, I'm 9 months post RARP.

An examination of the removed prostate revealed Gleason 9 (4+5), Grade Group 5, Extraprostatic extension pT3a, left posterior, radial distance 1 mm. I've been told there's a 50% chance of recurrence but fortunately my last three PSA checks have been: <0.02, <0.05, <0.02 which are classed as undetectable.

My incontinence has virtually gone but I still wear a pad during the day just in case.

I'm prescribed Invicorp which is generally successful.

I'm fairly upbeat, I think my gallows sense of humour helps. However, like the vast majority of cancer suffers, there are times when I feel down in the dumps. Sites like this and speaking to online specialist nurses have helped lift my mood enormously.

Speak to one of these nurses they don't, unlike most GPs, have 10 minute time limits.

Best of luck pal.

Adrian

Edited by member 30 Oct 2023 at 19:51 | Reason: Spelling.

User

Posted 30 Oct 2023 at 19:40

Thanks Adrian,

I might give nurses a call I'm old school and don't find asking for help very easy .

Vern.

User

Posted 07 Dec 2023 at 15:14

Hi All,

Time moves on and I'm 10 months post surgery I had PSA results today and its < 0.006 down again from 0.007 last time and 0.009 six months ago, Consultant very pleased and put me on six monthly testing now.

My best wishes to you all.

Vern.

Edited by member 07 Dec 2023 at 17:22 | Reason: Not specified

Vern.

User

Posted 07 Dec 2023 at 19:03

Great result mate. 🙂👍

User

Posted 18 Dec 2023 at 11:44

I'd like to thank everyone for their help and encouragement on my journey this year it really has helped, helping each other is so important when things are difficult so let's keep it up.

So looking forward to going to football with my son on boxing day and making more memories.

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas.

Vern.

User

Posted 15 Jan 2024 at 13:23

Hi All,

One year on from surgery and one month from a undetectable PSA <0.006 and consultant saying move to 6 monthly PSA testing I've not been feeling great and appointment with GP shows blood in urine and thoughts please.

Vern.

User

Posted 15 Jan 2024 at 13:39

Hello again mate.

When you say you feel unwell, what exactly do you mean? Is the GP doing anything about the blood in your urine.

User

Posted 15 Jan 2024 at 13:44

Hi Buddy,

GP has sent urine sample to the Lab and having bloods tomorrow, just tired and general aches and pains.

Vern.

User

Posted 15 Jan 2024 at 13:59

Me and you seem to be on a very similar journey and we're both a very similar age. I had RARP on 15 Feb 2023 so almost a year on. Like you I've had 3x3 monthly PSA checks, all undetectable, and got a fourth in a couple of weeks time. I get very tired, but I'm putting a lot of that down to the general stress of dealing with the side effects of treatment over the past year and not sleeping as well as I used to. I think blood in urine can be caused by numerous things most are not serious. You seem to be doing very well to me and I'm sure your GP will sort out your latest concern. It maybe you're feeling a little depressed and that can make you feel fatigued and generally unwell.

Adrian

User

Posted 15 Jan 2024 at 14:33

Yes hopefully not to serious, I thought same about our journey's being similar I'll update later this week when results back .

Vern.

User

Posted 19 Jan 2024 at 15:14

This week's blood tests all ok , Lab urine test showed no infection but blood , GP has marked it down as no infection so will he follow up the blood presume so but not sure, Do i wait see if GP gets back to me or contact my private guy that did the surgery 12 months ago ?

Reminder my last PSA was < 0.006

Vern.

User

Posted 19 Jan 2024 at 16:36

Hi Vern, thanks for the update.

I would assume your GP would follow up the reason to why there's a bit of blood in your urine. A couple of my mates had a similar problem, they had a couple of tests, found nothing untoward, and situation resolved itself.

Adrian

User

Posted 21 Jan 2024 at 12:36

Hi,

Would tne bladder have been included in MRI scan looking at Prostate? Had mine year ago and can't remember if included.

Vern.

User

Posted 31 Jan 2024 at 07:13

Tried posting new but it was rejected so will do shortened version here .

One yr today surgery PSA < 0.006 end November, consultant happy " cancer free move to 6 monthly PSA testing, all seemed good but by Xmas feeling tired and aches and pains , went to GP blood on dip test and confirmed in lab has led to being out on suspected cancer two week pathway and appointment on 12th February for camara job , spoke to private consultant who did op he said happy for you to go NHS but he offered appointment tomorrow 1st February so taken that.

Sense of doom building at home feel this is heading only one way .

Thanks for listening this past year.

Vern.

User

Posted 31 Jan 2024 at 07:39

Hi Vern.

So are they now looking at possible bladder cancer? Let's hope they find another cause

My wife and I have both had the two week cancer pathway scares for suspected tumours, both were negative. Fingers crossed yours will be the same.

I've just seen your earlier query on whether our prostate MRIs would have covered the bladder. I'm afraid I'm not sure on that one.

Best of luck mate.

Edited by member 31 Jan 2024 at 07:52 | Reason: Typo

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