Hi, I'm really sorry your husband and you have been dragged into this situation which we all know is very stressful for everyone touched by it.
I can fully understand his reaction but the advice I was given here and the advice I would give you myself is to take things one test at a time. Thinking the worst of his symptoms at this stage is a big mistake, it wastes energy that he needs to navigate the series of tests and results that are coming towards you both.
I know this might not be a popular view but to be frank it's not all about the man either, as his wife you will be under a great deal of pressure to support him emotionally and physically as he attends his MRI scan and awaits the result. True it's the man who is facing the possibility of serious illness, but you face it together and I realised very early in my prostate journey that my wife needed me to be realistic about what was happening to me; thinking the worst would not help either of us.
As regards the MRI scan it's relatively easy, unless of course you hate confined spaces. It's a half hour or so laid on a warm bed, but inside a metal tube with a lot of noise going on, let your mind accept that and you're in control.
Results wise it will vary wildly based on the NHS trust that is dealing with him. After my MRI I got a phone call saying they wanted me in for a biopsy, the nurse had no idea why, just that they must think there was something that needed looking at. Some guys on here got a letter but most seem to have got a lot more information than I did at this stage. I can't tell you if that's good or bad, on the one hand it set me thinking there must be something wrong to need a biopsy but on the other it didn't give me tons of numbers and terms that I didn't understand and could misinterpret. I guess it depends on the person which option would cause you the least worry.
The length of time between scan and result shouldn't be long, but it still feels like forever. Maybe there will be nothing to report, other than enlargement of the prostate. But it's possible that they will require a biopsy if there are any abnormalities and you will go onto the next waiting, testing, waiting phase.
If that happens then let us know and we will guide you through that part too.
For now try to reassure your husband that his back ache is just that, a back ache. I bet he had a sore back before the PSA test, but now he feels it has to be because he has cancer. Your mind does that to you, its perfectly normal, but not in his best interests. His prostate might feel a bit enlarged to his GP, but every man's prostate gets bigger with age. His PSA is slightly raised (bear in mind it can go into the thousands so his is pretty tiny).
My journey has paused after my MRI identified two lesions, one on either side. The following biopsy said neither area had any signs of cancer. So I am very relieved, but still need regular PSA tests to monitor things.
I truly hope that the MRI scan is clear and just reveals a normal prostate. If a biopsy is needed then you just move on to the next rung on the ladder.
Please keep inntouch with the forum and take care of your own health, especially mentally. My wife is an ex nurse and was brilliant through my journey, but she admitted she was scared of the possible outcomes if things went wrong. She even worried about who would do all the cooking and housework if I was ill. I'm a stay at home house husband lol.
Good luck and let us know how the MRI goes.
Mick xx