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Start of journey post recent diagnosis

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User
Posted 15 Aug 2024 at 11:03

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
There is no right or wrong answer and both treatment plans appear to have similar 'curative' outcomes.

It really depends on how the treatment fits in with your life - surgery is disruptive for 2-3 months but then is generally all done with unless a short term HT/RT follow up is needed.

Starting with HT/RT takes longer and depends a lot on how you react to the HT - for some this is minor but some people have issues significant discomforts from it.

For me, getting the Mothership out of me was important - hence my choices :)

Good luck!

Hi Spongebob and Steve, many thanks for the responses and view points. The bits in bold in the quote are the 2 aspects that I find myself leaning towards surgery.

I know there are no  guarantees with any of the treatment paths but at least with the surgery I'll know sooner rather than later if I need additional treatment.

Dave

User
Posted 15 Aug 2024 at 11:25
Hi Risca, I was diagnosed 2022 scans, biopsy etc was graded T2c elected surgery to get rid of the pesky thing however once the prostate was under the microscope in full I was upgraded to T3b with positive margins. Initially undetectable PSA however approx 6 months ago it started to rise. Referred to oncology and started 33 sessions of radiotherapy last week. I have no regrets about having the surgery. Unfortunately I was one of the ones who have had a biochemical recurrence. Good luck in what ever treatment you decide. It is a difficult decision with pros and cons.
User
Posted 05 Sep 2024 at 08:32
Ok so latest update. After what feels like an age and much mind changing I am now booked in for RARP on 1st October. Had all the pre-op assessments yesterday and all good to go.

Dave

User
Posted 05 Sep 2024 at 08:57

Good luck Dave 🤞

User
Posted 05 Sep 2024 at 12:15

Hi Dave, 

If you haven't already, I would recommend that you start doing pelvic floor exercises between now and your operation. 

Good luck. 

Kev.

User
Posted 05 Sep 2024 at 15:02

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Good luck Dave 🤞

Ditto from me, Dave.

User
Posted 06 Sep 2024 at 08:25

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi Dave, 

If you haven't already, I would recommend that you start doing pelvic floor exercises between now and your operation. 

Good luck. 

Kev.

Cheers Kev, been doing them a couple of weeks in readyness

Dave

User
Posted 06 Sep 2024 at 11:58

Hi Dave

I thoroughly recommend the "Squeeze Men" app for the iPhone/Android. Costs £2.99 and it really helps with remembering and performing the exercises. 

User
Posted 03 Oct 2024 at 00:53

Ok so had the RARP yesterday and feel like I’ve been kicked by a horse 😂.

It seems already that I may have made the wrong decision as the surgeon has already advised me to be prepared for further treatment, bit gutted to be sat in here in so much discomfort knowing it looks like it may have been for nothing.

oh well, at least at this stage they are still talking curative for now at least.

Dave

User
Posted 03 Oct 2024 at 07:24

Hi  Dave,

I'm sorry to hear that you are in pain and that the surgeon feels that'll you'll need further treatment. We're you given a pre op cancer staging? Reading your previous posts it seems that you were either T3a or T3b?

Edited by member 03 Oct 2024 at 07:31  | Reason: Additional text

User
Posted 03 Oct 2024 at 07:43

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi  Dave,

I'm sorry to hear that you are in pain and that the surgeon feels that'll you'll need further treatment. Were you given a pre op cancer staging? Reading your previous posts it seems that you were either T3a or T3b?

Hi Adrian, they said T3 a/b (couldn’t tell any further than that due to PET scan not working as expected). Shouldn’t really be a surprise I guess thinking about it.

Dave

User
Posted 03 Oct 2024 at 10:07

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

bit gutted to be sat in here in so much discomfort knowing it looks like it may have been for nothing. 

Risca ,there are some medics that see removal of the mother ship as being beneficial.

Take it easy but try to keep mobile, hopefully the pain will ease over the next few days.

Thanks Chris 

Edited by member 03 Oct 2024 at 10:08  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 06 Nov 2024 at 08:28

So time for a bit of an update.

Had post-op follow up with the surgeon yesterday. Started off with the bad news that the pathology report had upgraded me from Gleason 8 (4+4) to Gleason 9 (5+4) and confirmed that the cancer had breached the prostate capsule 😪

He followed that up with confirming that the Lymph nodes and other tissues removed had all come back negative and he was pretty happy to state he had got it all so no further treatment at this time just a PSA test in 6 to 8 weeks😀

To say I'm happy with the outcome is an understatement and even the incontinence now suddenly feels bearable and I must admit seems to be getting a little better (though the leather thongs won't be making an appearance any time soon.

Dave

User
Posted 06 Nov 2024 at 10:18

Hi Dave.

Thanks for the update mate.

Our post op histology results are remarkably similar, and twenty one months later, my PSA is still undetectable at <.0.02.

Best of luck with your further tests and continued recovery. 

User
Posted 06 Nov 2024 at 10:26

Hi Adrian,

Funnily enough you were the first person I thought of (outside the family) when I got the results. Couldn't believe how similar a path we have trod.

Dave

User
Posted 06 Nov 2024 at 17:55

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

To say I'm happy with the outcome is an understatement .....

 

 

Great news Dave, - touching the odd horse shoe does work sometimes 😬.

All the best.

 

User
Posted 06 Nov 2024 at 20:16

Yes Dave that’s good news, you can now concentrate on your recovery but take it easy!

All the best,

Derek

User
Posted 06 Jan 2025 at 15:47

Latest update (and what a wonderful feeling to post this one)

First post surgical PSA test results today and confirmed by the specialist nurse that my reading is <0.4 and undetectable 😃. Next test in 4 months.

Also for the last 10 days or so I'm down to 1 pad per day and a fresh one for bedtime though neither of them is showing a whole lot of drips, just enough to not give me the confidence to go without just yet, but at 3 month post op I'm happy with that.

Even though I feel that is definite light at the end of the tunnel and not just another train coming, I'll be staying around, in the hope I can help other people just starting their journey. This site helped me so much to get through a s*** time, I hope I get the chance to give something back.

Dave

User
Posted 06 Jan 2025 at 16:20

Great news, Dave. I'm so pleased for you mate. You are making a terrific recovery. Long may it continue! 👍 

 
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