Hello Properjob and welcome to the forum. 

I'm sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. It's great though to hear that you have such a positive approach to tackling this! It certainly will stand you in good stead. 

How did your appointment go yesterday? I hope that the Consultant was able to give you some reassurance about the scan results. 

If there's anything you'd like to chat through with our nurses you're welcome to give them a call. They're available Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040. 

Keep in touch and let us know how you get on. 

Best wishes, 
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator 

Many thanks for your concern.

Good news ... The bone scan was clear. Consultant said there will be radiation therapy after the surgery.

This is presumably to zap any remaining trace of cancer. Without being alarmist are there any statistics for reoccurrence of the cancer after surgery and Radiation therapy?

Take care

Properjob

I'm sure the statistics for reoccurrence exist, but by their very nature, they're going to be out of date. The good news is that, even if you do get a reoccurrence, you've still got a 99% chance of surviving the next 10 years and probably a lot longer after that.  So think of that as the worse case scenario.

You need to cross each bridge as you get to it.  The next step is to get the operation, then see if your PSA drops close to zero (less than 0.1) within 6 weeks, and whether the surgical margins are clear.  If both of those happen, then it's a really good sign, but if not then that's why you're having the follow up radiotherapy.

No one can predict what will happen. Perhaps this will be a chronic condition that you'll have to live with.  In all likelihood, you'll die of something else before this gets you - although I'm not sure whether that's a comfort or not ;-)  

Hopefully, the pandemic will be over the worst and we can start to open up the country.  Once that happens, I suggest you look out out for a local prostate cancer support group to join. 

Thanks again ... Sound advice.

I am just gathering information for possible life options ... I may be able to retire early, may be early 2022.

This last few months has thrown many givens into the air and a plan B is likely to be the fallout!

Best regards

Properjob

I took half my pension when I reached 60 and reduced to a 50% contract.  I decided to fully retire about 18 months later. I had 24 years teacher's pension, plus my wife got her state pension at 60.  Now I'm 67 so I've got my state pension, too.  The house was already paid off, and money has never been an issue. We're not rich, but we're comfortable and money isn't a problem.

Our house also paid off. Likewise should be able to take pension at 60 just 18 months away and work part time for a few years.

Anyway, as I am fond of saying to others ... One step at a time and you can't cross a bridge until etc, etc.

Let's get the op over with first and then move forward.

Thanks again Telemando.

Hi proper job.

i post on here for my husbands oesophageal cancer, he being 56 at diagnosis, there sure seems to be a lot of it about, but 'prostate' always catches my eye. Now, being female, it is not something I can experience!, but I do have a lot of people in my life with the 'lived experience' (:

My Dad is now 17 yrs post diagnosis (aged then 60) Has radical prostatectomy- job done. He went back to work and finished at 65

Father in law- same diagnosed age 60, prostatectomy. Got to 83 with no return. Finished off by Parkinson's. He was already semi retired and didn't go back

One of my lovely old  neighbours. Got to 93, diagnosed at 80. No surgery. Zoladex jabs. Finished off by a fall.

Prostate, I belive is one of the cancers with the highest success rates in treatment, pretty darn high at 99%+

We are at the stage now of making 'those' life choices, do we 'retire' and live like teenagers, carry on working etc. I think maybe get through your treatment first, then see how you feel.

Best wishes

Hilts

Hi proper job.

i post on here for my husbands oesophageal cancer, he being 56 at diagnosis, there sure seems to be a lot of it about, but 'prostate' always catches my eye. Now, being female, it is not something I can experience!, but I do have a lot of people in my life with the 'lived experience' (:

My Dad is now 17 yrs post diagnosis (aged then 60) Has radical prostatectomy- job done. He went back to work and finished at 65

Father in law- same diagnosed age 60, prostatectomy. Got to 83 with no return. Finished off by Parkinson's. He was already semi retired and didn't go back

One of my lovely old  neighbours. Got to 93, diagnosed at 80. No surgery. Zoladex jabs. Finished off by a fall.

Prostate, I belive is one of the cancers with the highest success rates in treatment, pretty darn high at 99%+

We are at the stage now of making 'those' life choices, do we 'retire' and live like teenagers, carry on working etc. I think maybe get through your treatment first, then see how you feel.

Best wishes

Hilts

Hi Hits. Apologies for the slow response.

Lots to sort out!! Your message was very reassuring. Hopefully I will do as well as your loved ones did.

Op is on July 1st. 

Thanks again.

Properjob