newly diagnosed

Hi MC

Thanks for your message which is very encouraging for me.I am keeping my exercise regime up, but due to the shock, not as much as before the news.We are on holiday at the moment and relaxing.Next week I will be back in UK and try to get back to normal.
The good mental attitude is a struggle at the moment as i am having good and bad days.But I understand i have to reach that level asap to help myself.

Take a deep break Mandjk. I remember the same feelings - every time you feel a tweak or pain, immediately the thought is "has the cancer spread?". You can't let your fear control you. As an athlete, I know that random pain can occur at any time. If you tweak a muscle, or do a new excercise you can cause muscle inflammation. Let me ask you this: If the pain you are feeling occurred a year before your cancer diagnosis, would you have thought anything of it? or would you have just chalked it up to maybe exerting yourself a bit too much during a workout? Have positive thoughts brother!

2 weeks since being diagnosed. Now over shock and being positive.
been to gym most days, generally swimming and a bit of cycling. Did a yoga class which was marvellous. Made me so relaxed.
had scans monday and tuesday.pushing for results.
had to cut down on work as some of it is physical.i am feeling tired and lethargic so thats main reason cut back. i am hoping this is because of shock and worry of last 2 weeks and not because there is a chance the cancer has already spread.because of lethargy having to push myself thinking i dont have energy to do things.

Hi Sue

I have entered all info in profile but not showing.will have to look a this again and see what i am doing wrong.
psa 4.3, has been 3.7 for previous 3 month blood tests(only had first one 9 months ago).gleeson 3+4.20%. have been on holiday so have not got full report yet.
thanks susan for your messages and support.

Hi mandjk - sorry I'm late in replying on your thread! First off congratulations on your MRI and bone scans coming back clear! And as you've already seen there's lots of guys and gals here that can offer experience, knowledge and support, so welcome.

Earlier on you had commented about how quickly after treatment you would be able to return to your job. While I can't speak for surgery I can tell you how things went after my LDR Brachytherapy (the same treatment that Susan's hubby had). I had my treatment done on a Friday, and was back to work on the following Monday - although I have a desk job and nothing real physical. For the first couple of weeks I had a 10 pound maximum weight restriction. At two weeks after treatment I was back to doing my daily cardio exercises and at three weeks after treatment I was back to lifting weights.

I too am a G7, but had 9 cores out of 12 come back positive. I also see that we are about the same age.

With your statistics I believe you have a number of treatment options available. I would simply encourage you to get out there and learn as much as you can about the various treatments. Then, as you meet with the various medical practitioners be sure you insist on obtaining their specific results after treatment. In addition to addressing the cancer, you'll also want to know about side effects. When discussing their results be sure that you understand what they mean - for example "continent" to you and I mean NO issues, while to them it may mean "only need 1 pad per day" or "only dripping when straining." Same goes with ED - NO issues to you and I mean just that, while to them it may mean using Viagra/Cialis, pumps or injections. . . In my case I obviously wanted to cure the cancer first and foremost, but at my relatively young age and excellent physical health the concern over potential side effects came in at a really close 2nd!

Please don't feel as though you have to rush into a treatment. With your statistics you have time, and there are no "do-overs" once you have been treated.

Best to you, and let me/us know what we can do to help. As part of my journey I gathered a significant amount of studies, reports and information on understanding PCa, treatment options and results that I would be happy to share with you. If you're interested you can send an e-mail to me by clicking on the envelope below my name "A Yooper" in the upper left corner of this post.

Best to you!

mandjk
Welcome and sorry you have to be here. I don't believe anyone else mentioned this as I read through this thread. You should get Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer - third edition. It's probably on the shelf in the health section of most book stores (to the extent there are still book stores) and should also be available from most libraries. This is a very thorough and easy to understand overview of what prostate cancer is and what the various treatment options are. It also clearly explains how to understand things like Gleason scores and pathology reports. Be sure to get the third edition because it has the most up-to-date information. Best.
Jim

mandjk, also sorry you need to be here. That is terrific news about the clear scans. If you can't find a hard copy of Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer - third edition, I did see it available on line at amazon for kindle, if that is an option for you (and they do have a free download that allows you to read kindle books on your computer).

My best to you,

Hi Sue

Thanks for the message.
My tool kit arrived today.
My urologist is on holiday but have spoken to his stand in on the phone.
No i do not have any other appointments as yet.But will arrange.I have been pushing various people since i got the raised psa count so i think that has moved things so quickly.
Tomorrow I am seeing Dr Duffy, one of the surgeons.

made decision today to have lacroyscopic and chosen surgeon.hope to see him in 2 weeks to discuss.will still keep options open though.but this surgeon is so experienced and trains others in this practice.been recommended.
feel a further weight lifted off shoulders after made decision.
had a great chat with key worker today.he is pleased with my positivity and return to my gym work, which i stopped when i heard the news.
still along way to go though

Hi Mandjk,
Sounds like you have settled on the treatment that feels right for you. It is such a relief.
Now channel all that positive energy into beating the PCa beast and wishing you a speedy recovery.
Do let us know how you get on.
Sending you a hug.
Susan
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2 weeks ago narrowed down my decision to 2 surgeons, one nhs(free) and one private. my key worker said save your money and go to nhs as he was so good. so final decision was to go to nhs and saw surgeon on monday. now my key worker thought i would have op in 2 weeks but surgeon said big waiting list. now 10 weeks!! maybe 6 weeks private. the surgeon said it was doubtful if cancer would spread by then but i want 100% certainty. also i am mentally keyed up for an op now and i want to get this sorted asap so i can be up and about for the new year.

so went to christies in manchester last night.can do it in 3 weeks. two surgeons will do it and i had read about them previously. very experienced and stats are good. they specialise in robotic and believe it is ideal for me due to age and my fitness.so now just waiting for a date.

All the very best for next Tuesday and wishing you a speedy recovery.
Susan
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