I found this forum helpful, so thought I'd post my story in case it can help anyone else.
I felt I pee'd a lot, if I was in the pub drinking pints I'd always be the first to go, and towards the end of the evening I probably pee 2 times per pint (needless to say I didn't go out drinking much by this time).
...but it go me concerned and started having PSA tests, but they were always low...
...then they weren't. PSA rose from being in region of 5-6 to 13.
I had an MRI scan, followed by a biopsy. The biopsy was so painful, meaning I tensed up so much they could only get half the number of cores they wanted, but they got enough to to give me a Gleason score of 3+4 and put me on active surveilance.
After a few months a friend mention HIFU, which to me looked interesting, less invasive, fewer side effects, quicker etc.
My local hospital did not offer this but they sent me down to Basingstoke, where they do. Here they redid the MRI scan, and did a new biospy (under full GA), but came to the conclusion I was not a suitable candidate for HIFU due to the position of the cancer.
However, on seeing the new/full scan I was advise to opt for treatment over further active surveilance.
Due to my age (61) I was advised RP surgery was the way to go, on the basis radiation can weaken surrounding organs which I may well want to be using for a few more decades yet.
Three month waiting list, during which time I focused on getting fit, specifically pilates, as that focuses on the core, and although not specifically advised by doctors, strenthening up the muscles "down there" seemed like a good idea. It also resolved a sporadic back ache.
Surgery day came, I was booked in early morning and came home same day, with zero pain in my groin area, but quite signifcant pain in my shoulders. This is common and due being pumped full of air for the procedure. Pain killers controlled this pain
A Da Vinci robot was used, look on Youtube if interested, there is a film of the entire procedure, but I chose not to look until afterwards.
I knew I would need a catheter but was surprised (and delighted) to see it coming out of my groin and not where I expected it to be. (Supra pelvic catheter). Using and sleeping with the catheter presented no problems, in fact it was helpful to be able to sleep all night without getting up to pee
After 10 days I was instructed to remove the catherer myself (easy and painless) .
After the catheter was removal things were immediate;y back to their healthy norm, both in the "bedroom" and the "bathroom" department. This was a complete supprise, but obviosly I was delighted.
I appreciate first and foremost I was very lucky, and had a brilliant surgeon, (who focused on nerve sparing), but l also think being very fit, not overweight and not smoking or drinking by this time, played a part.
I also appreciate many men have severe and life changing after effects, and this story won't help them, but if you're young and recently diagnosed, don't get bogged down in negativity, having RP is not necessarily as "bad" and you may think it may be....
I have nothing but praise for the NHS in how I was handled, from initial diagnosis to operation.
((and as a secondary positive side effect, whereas before If I pee'd I would struggle to pee further than the end of my shoes, now I can pee over a barn door)).
Good luck to anyone embarking on this journey - I wish you the very best of luck....