Hi really glad you have people to talk to about things, its always better for you and others who are in similar positions .

Good luck to you all with treatment options and treatment itself and very little side effects .

But wishes for the future .

Billy

Thanks Billy for sharing your knowledge, experiences and support. Hope we can remain in touch.

Wishing you continued recovery and happiness.

Matthew

Hi [@Jellies]‍ [@woodworm]‍ [@Billygoatt]‍ [@SDC8]‍ and everyone,

Not sure what to make of this but I was called late afternoon today by the hospital asking that I meet with the oncology nurse tomorrow morning at 9am. The original meeting was scheduled for next Tuesday 8th March. It appears all my incredibly fast tests, scans and biopsies were processed and assessed just as quickly.

This could be nothing, could be something, who knows. My wife's and my own immediate natural response was "that's gotta be a bad sign" but thankfully that feeling has tempered since the call. It's amazing how single moments like tomorrow's conversation can have such lasting consequences. Such is life. At least I don't have to wait another worrisome week :happy:

I'll be sure to let you know what the scores on the doors are tomorrow!

Hope you're all bearing up.

Matthew

Mathew,

good luck for today.Whatever happens there's a huge amount of support out there,

Simpn

Hi everyone,

Well, our worst fears have just been realised in the last few hours. 

I am officially Stage 4 Gleason 9 with spread to the pelvis, pubic bone and spine T5 vertebra (at least). I will need a further full CT scan to make sure they've identified everything. The appointment was itself worryingly mishandled too, which wasn't helpful. Anyway, that doesn’t change my new reality.

It's surreal that in the space of 3 weeks or so, with still no symptoms aged just 52, from a random PSA test for prudence sake we now find ourselves in a life-limiting situation. Life isn't fair I know, and I shouldn’t complain too bitterly as there are so many less fortunate that me, but today of all days I think I'll give myself a little room for a grumble!

My poor wife and kids are distraught. I worry for them more than me.

Any advice for this next phase always welcome.

All my best to you all,

Matthew

Hi Mathew,so sorry about your results,. Remember there are still options as you know with me , can't remember if I put my main details (stage 4 T3B N1 M1B Gleason 8) Gleason varies alot depending which specialist is doing it, remember mine went to lung and lymph nodes .

Take care remember your family and keep positive and sure .

Billy

Hi! I'm actually a therapy radiographer so I treat patients with radiotherapy. In my personal experience, PSA can vary greatly and it isn't a reliable indicator of prostate cancer stage or aggression. Some patients I've treated have had PSA over 100 but been early stage and treated well. I'm afraid until a biopsy and scans takes place, it isn't possible to get a good idea of what exactly is happening. Many patients find their PSA drops dramatically after starting hormone therapy, but your consultant would be able to discuss this with you in greater detail.

Wishing you all the best! 

Thanks Simon, I would have been thrilled to have been diagnosed at an earlier stage like you. Wishing you and your family the speediest of full recoveries from surgery.

Hello all - I needed 24 hours to get my head and heart in order and support my wife, kids and extended family who are all, like me, shell shocked. Some are angry, some are being brave, others are asking for miracles but all are just sad.

I saw the consultant yesterday evening for the first time (the diagnosis was delivered by a nurse the day before who was very unfamiliar with my file, treatments etc.) so it was good to sit down with him. Alll is confirmed - Stage 4 G9 with three sites in my spine, pubic bone and right hip bone. An average prognosis he said was 5-6 years, could be more or less etc. We all respond to treatment differently of course. That was not a shock and part of me was worried he would say less than that given the spread. I plan to follow your encouraging suggestions here and push hard to extend my life (and quality of life) for longer than the "average"...Just hope I am up to the challenge ahead.

Today I start HT (tablets for 2 weeks), in a fortnight Chemotherapy starts, followed by Radiation Therapy, and probably the same cycle repeats. I will know more when I meet with my new clinical lead, the Oncologist.

The biggest thing for me now is worrying about financial security for my wife and family once I am gone (and during the treatments). This is a major source of pain and anxiety for many of us who are too young to have fully contributed to a pension etc. My wife is and has always been a stay at home mum so I need to get my skates on to get my businesses ready for sale and downsize my home of 18 years. I do have a Serious Illness Cover Policy with Vitality that I believe/hope  (having just started the claim process) will pay out for Stage 4 cancer but I worry, as i have no symptoms as yet, they may resist paying out. 

Has anyone any advice in terms of Serious or Critical Illness insurance claims?

I wanted to thank you, each of you, for taking the time to extend the hand of friendship and care. I would like to do the same going forward. This is a wonderful stage where the very best of human nature is displayed.

And one more thing [@Jellies]‍  Rory, thinking of you buddy...how did the biopsies appointment go, hope you're bearing up mate? 

Matthew