Hi all,
Firstly just wanted to thank all the contributors to this forum, so much good information, and also the specialist nurses who are brilliant.
Been thinking about telling my story here for a while and decided to go for it.
Early June I had a work medical and was offered a PSA test. I have a family history of Prostate Cancer with my Dad diagnosed and successfully treated age 61. My Father-in-Law was also unfortunately diagnosed with advanced disease and a PSA in the thousands this time last year so it felt right to take the test. First PSA came back raised at 4.02, repeat ten days later was 4.40 and I was referred to a Urologist.
I’m very lucky to have private healthcare through work and had a first appointment a couple of weeks later. DRE normal (small and soft!) but PSA 4.52 and sent for MRI, which I had in early July. Results were PIRADS 2/3, with a 22cc Prostate but a PSA density of 0.2, everything else appearing normal.
First dilemma, progress to biopsy or not. MRI report stated a low index of suspicion but I was anxious at this point having seen what advanced disease looks like and with my wife and two young sons (13 and 10) to think about decided I needed to know what was going on.
I had the Transperineal biopsy on July 29th. Received the results the day before I went on holiday on August 9th. Multifocal Gleason 3+3=6 in 9/30 cores, 4/6 segments, longest focus 9mm and highest volume 90%. Staged as T2c.
So many mixed emotions, shock and sadness at being told you have Cancer, relief with the Gleason score and no signs of perineural invasion but concern at risk with multifocal disease, worry for the future and my family, anger, why me at my age?!
I met again with my Urologist, who recommended surgery. I also got a second opinion from another specialist Urologist and also spoke with an Oncologist. All recommended surgery in my case over AS or Radiotherapy as did the MDT. Reasoning was the multi focal nature of my disease, my age and relative fitness and all feeling it was only a matter of time until definitive treatment was needed. It didn’t take me long to make the decision in the end and surgery was booked for last Monday, September 30th.
I’m now day 6 post surgery after a two night stay in hospital. Recovery is good if a bit up and down physically and emotionally. I felt really good yesterday but maybe overdid it slightly and sore again today. The catheter is annoying more than anything, it’s uncomfortable but not really painful I’d say. I have an appointment for catheter removal and post surgery consultation next Friday. The surgeon said no surprises and everything looked as expected post op but can’t help have some anxiety about the full pathology and thinking ahead to first PSA test in 8 weeks time.
The mental side has probably been the hardest thing over the past 3 months or so. I know I’m lucky compared to many with hopefully localised disease and a supportive family and work environment but it doesn’t always feel that way at my age! I’m sure many will recognise the anxiety that it might not be cured, the worry about treatment side effects ( I had nerve sparring surgery but no guarantees and the incontinence side is a real worry), the impact on family life and my kids. Some sleepless nights for definite and I think it’s going to take some time before I can get my head round it all.
Anyway, apologies for the long post, it’s helpful to write it all down like this and I’m intending to update as the journey continues.
Edited by member 11 Oct 2024 at 14:33
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