Started with a raised PSA 5.4 just over three years ago when I was 58, summer 21.
Urologist did DRE in October '21 and recommended an MRI which I had done in Jan '22 after referral letter got lost...
Sent for a biopsy in Waterford shortly after, right side was riddled left ony half
'You have cancer' was the diagnosis in May '22
Referred to Radiologist Oncologist in Mater Private UHL in May
Another DRE and his opinion was you have agressive Gleason 9 prostate cancer, didn't hear much after that, except throw and kitchen sink.
Scheduled for CT of abdomen, and a deep bone X Ray, most anxious time, both can back clear.
Decision was made to treat it in situ, PSA now 11.5 (June 22)
Mid July started slow release hormone treatment, injection under the skin in your belly fat, didn't have much then, expect to add weight I have
Not pleasant, hard lump for a number of weeks and sore for a numer of months. The sweats are/were a right bo!!ix, thank god radiation oncologist put me on a wonderful drug
Scheduled for Spaceor Hydrogel in September as a day case, they put a disolvable gel between your prostate and bowel to protect the latter from radiation. That didn't go well and needed a colonoscopy, that took another six weeks, came back clear.
Early December I was in Mater for HDR brachytherapy and insertion of gold markers, no gel.
Mid December I was called in for CT to sight in my prostate using the gold markers they inserted in Dublin Mater and then I got my first tattoos, three dots to aide them lining me up for my daily treatment of external beam radiation
Christmas I was pretty wrecked, HDR was taking affect, or the Covid vacc, very weak.
First workday in January of 23 I was back in Mater private radiation clinic UHL to start my external beam radiation
25 sessions on a daily basis with weekends off
That discipline was very hard and there were serious moments of doubt, lost my rag a few times. Drinking water, full bladder at time of treatment, some ran late a few times, not fun. Bowels are to be empty, even less fun.
I'm self employed so kept working through it all, think that's what kept me going
Mid January had second slow release hormone injection, same side as my doctor is left handed, and this one was sore for nearly six months
Finished external beam first week of Feb, radiation oncologist said come back in six months and we'll review bloods, I was out of there
The urgency with bowel movements and the diarrhoea were a bloody curse, the urgency is still there now but getting better
I had been in A Fib throughout all of this and now couldn't function, had a double cardio ablation in April 23 which seems to have cured it
Mid July third hormone injection, got it in the other side and has not been any bother
Back in for consultation with radiation oncologist end of August, PSA now 0.03, I'm in remission, it's undetectable.
I was then referred to a medical oncology for review, early October, and was told because my type of cancer was particularly agressive it can grow undetected and feed off other parts of the body, not just the prostate. I was put on more hormones (tablet the size of a supository) and streoids to combat any side affects, there are too ***!ng many to list. Have since been back to my cardiologist for a change in medication
Now it's bimonthly blood tests and visits to the clinic every months to monitor side affects, 5 monthss in so far so good. This is a two year treatment regime.
Haven't had to use a bag or pad so far, if I get anxious or rushed I need to pee even if I've only just gone, working outside has it's advantages. Majority of the time it's pain free but sometimes it's very slow and painful.
I do manage most nights without getting up, that's usually based on what I've eaten. Gave up Barry's tea for breakfast and now drink Rooibosch which is caffine free, try to avoid tea as much as possible during the day
My sex life is now non existant, radiation did damage but the hormones have decimated me, everything has shrunk , there are treatments to change this but none have worked so far and I'm not giving up.........
I am very lucky to have a wonderful woman beside me that keeps me motivated and positive
