Just a quick note for you,i was given 5 years max over 6 years ago, and im still managing ok my last PSA was 0.16 i have blood test every month, still having my univited guest hanging around but getting usto it, strange what you can get usto.

Think positive helps take care .

Billy

Hi Matthew

Really sorry to hear of your diagnosis.  I had just logged in now and when I read your results I had to take a moment.  I was really hoping that your bone scan was clear.  As you said you had no symptoms and just caught this by random chance.   So you have been incredibly unlucky and have every right to be upset and annoyed with this situation that you and your family simply do not deserve.  

But I'm super impressed by your attitude and determination to work your way through it.  Here's hoping the treatments work well and you can get the cancer under control. 

My biopsy is next Tuesday and I will be relieved to get it out of the way.  Reading your story makes me even more determined to make the most of whatever comes out of it and it is great to have your support.  

Please keep in touch as you move on to your treatment.

Take care,

Rory

Hello everyone,

Thank you all for your timely replies, counsel and encouragement. What amazing wisdom and goodness.

My goodness, this is really hard to take in. As you all know from your own experiences, cancer impacts everyone around you. Our family is struggling to come to terms with our new reality. Our middle daughter is due to marry in the US in July which of course I cannot now experience in person due to the treatment regime. Instead we're holding a hastily arranged Ring Exchange Ceremony locally on 9 April and she can marry her fine American fiancé legally as planned in the summer. Already life has begun to change.

If I'm being brutally honest, I think I am just beginning to process that my life is now going to be a lot shorter than the average man in the UK. Scary to think I am statistically less likely to get into my 60s although I will try my best to buck the trend!

I've started Hormone Therapy x3 tablets per day (Cyproterone 50mg) prior to my fist HT injection on 16 March. I'm told I need to have a full body CT scan as the previous one focused on my pelvis and chest. Thereafter Radiation Therapy and then Chemotherapy although I'm not sure what form that will take yet. I have yet to meet the Oncologist.

Wishing you all well and thanks so much again for your invaluable help.

Matthew

PS: [@Jellies]‍ hope the biopsies tomorrow goes well buddy...will be thinking about you.

PPS: [@Billygoatt]‍ you keep going and show me how it's done!!

i made my darling wife a promise, that I'd look after her when she got old (she's nearly 14 years older than me), i was 21at the time . Before she would marry me im determined to keep that promise as long as i can,i also try to keep busy and occupied as much as possible,in other words other things to think about , I've started jigsaws and quiz books when not cleaning house and washing, garden, some time its hard but being determined helps . The better I feel the better family feel, even though those other thoughts Pop back .

Try to keep determined, and keep occupied . 

Billy

Thanks for the great advice [@Billygoatt]‍   
Your dear wife is a lucky lady indeed. 
 

[@Jellies]‍ hey buddy, how are things following your biopsies on Tuesday 8th?

Hope you're all doing well in the circumstances. We as a family are adjusting to the terrible diagnosis as best we can, early days yet. 
 

Matthew

Hi Matthew [@Matthew2022]‍ 

Good to hear from you and very best wishes to you all. My biopsy was fine.  The procedure itself was absolutely painless - as soon as they gave me the sedative I conked out and woke up outside in the waiting area. Was peeing blood for about a week which has cleared up now.  It was a bit disconcerting but not much sympathy from the wife who has had 3 c-sections :-)

Next step for me is meeting the consultant for the "big reveal" on the 28th after I come back from holidays.  They will have all the results by then.  Not giving it too much thought for now but will definitely be nervous on the day.  Honestly I have no idea which way it will go in terms of cancer diagnosis, severity and treatment options - my scans seemed not too bad but with such a high PSA you always have nagging doubts.  

Also great to hear such a positive approach from @Billygoatt  

Rory

So far so good Rory. Your consistent pragmatism is absolutely the way forward. Hope you have a great holiday and let's expect the best outcome for you and your family when you return home. 
 

Rooting for you. 

Hi Matthew [@Matthew2022]‍ 

How are you getting on?  Hope you are all doing OK.

I had my consultant meeting yesterday.  His update was that my CT scan was clear but the biopsy showed cancer throughout my prostate.  The scores ranged from 1-3 and mainly 3.

As a next step he recommended non nerve sparing traditional surgery.  Non nerve sparing because the cancer is on both sides plus with my high PSA he wants to take out as much as possible inc lymph nodes.  Open surgery I think to have a better "look around".  He can get this done in 2-3 week.  

The MDT also agreed that I should have a PSMA scan but he doesn't think the outcome from this scan will impact the recommendation for surgery.  So, depending on timelines I might get this scan before or after the surgery.

He also said that post surgery it is unlikely that my PSA would go to zero meaning additional treatment likely.  So it does look like a long road ahead with other treatments to follow.  

Still getting my head around it all.  Take care 

Rory

Hey Rory,

I was thinking about you yesterday knowing it was your big day for the results. 

I know it is a lot take in and you have a long road ahead but the way I read things, you are definitely in a CURATIVE pathway. Fantastic. You will cope superbly with whatever life-saving treatments and Surgery you receive. 

We're doing increasingly well given the Gleason 9 and stage 4 diagnosis. Tough times for us. 

My first meeting with the oncologist is tomorrow so will see what treatments I'll be offered. 

Thank you for keeping me in the loop, anxious to share in your journey. 

So far so good!! You'll be fine in the long run. 

Thanks Matthew

Best of luck tomorrow.  Definitely a marathon ahead. Taking one step at a time.

Rory