Recently diagnosed. 44 Help - I’m afraid of Metastatic prostate cancer - - Page 2Younger men

User

Posted 03 Jun 2024 at 17:43

Thanks for giving me your time again Adrain. I do appreciate it.

I know it could possibly be any sort of other medical condition but right up to my diagnosis I was a relatively fit man.

At 44 I suppose though you are entering middle age and you will get the odd twinge here and there. This though feels different. Of course it could all be psychosomatic having googled the life out of every single symptom. I also know I’m my own worst enemy but can’t seem to snap myself out of it!

I feel as though I’m wasting peoples time on here now as I’m constantly seeking reassurance before my test results come in. I know I’ve got a long road ahead of me as well and I will have many more scans, bloods etc. to come in. I suppose I need to get to a place where I can manage the anxiety of the wait! Unfortunately, I’m not there yet!

User

Posted 03 Jun 2024 at 17:58

I was in same place as you, younger and fit, and I'm still in it. I can't give you reassurance as not a medical expert but can say that you have to force distractions on yourself. It's the only way.

I spent overnight in a & e and they couldn't help, even with severe pains. But they did misdiagnosis something else and almost sent me off for emergency surgery.

It's really tough but all you can do is distraction and follow the steps. Don't be hard on yourself, you are only human.

User

Posted 03 Jun 2024 at 18:03

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

I feel as though I’m wasting peoples time on here now as I’m constantly seeking reassurance before my test results come in.

No-one on here will ever accuse you of wasting our time. You're obviously very anxious and we understand that. I know it's extremely difficult, but just try your hardest to take one step at a time, one result at a time, one more wait at a time. All the worrying in the world won't change or speed up procedures. Your anxiety will be felt by your loved ones, which I'm sure is something you don't want to burden them with.

You will get through this, I promise you.👍

User

Posted 10 Jun 2024 at 14:06

Hey Steve,

I'm new here too (unfortunately), I'm 48 T3b N0 M0 Gleason 3+4 and PSA of 7.6. I had similar fears to you. Before my bone scan results were back I was convinced it would be positive. I had pains in my left foot and thought it could be nothing else. It felt like I was just waiting for the executioner to strike. I have two boys who are 10 and 13 and all I could think was how I was going to tell them. I do think a lot of it is physiological as I had a gap between seeing an oncologist and a second surgeon. I tried to keep my mind off it and kept busy, also thinking there is nothing I can do about it for now. I felt surprisingly good in that time!

I'm now at the point of choosing treatment, although rather unhelpfully I've been advise that surgery is my best route, then by another surgeon who hadn't realised I'd seen anyone else that radiotherapy/hormone therapy is the best path.

John

User

Posted 10 Jun 2024 at 18:37

Hi John,

I think with T3b there is a higher chance that you will require SRT so if you’re prepared for that then RP is certainly an option. I was the same staging as you but they did not offer me RP because of this. I am in Scotland which seems to have different guidelines on treatment options and of course I am a lot older than you. IfI had been offered surgery I would have taken it knowing that at least I have a Plan B.
In my Maggies Cancer Support Group everyone who had RP say they made the right decision…much to my envy!

it’s a difficult decision to make but you’re still on a curative path whichever way you decide to go, so just try and remember that when you’re having a difficult moment.

I wish you all the best and keep us posted.

Derek

User

Posted 10 Jun 2024 at 19:48

Hi John,

Thanks for replying. Much appreciated.

I have had my bone scan and I’ve been given the all clear. I do have to have a PET scan (more anxiety). However, I am feeling a bit more positive about it now.

I’m still on a curative pathway but I have not been given the option of surgery. I have a suspicious node. They have told me it will be hormone therapy followed by radiation if the PET scan is clear. They have also said hormones potentially for 3 years. It seems to me that I don’t have a choice and the treatment has been decided.

I’m back at work now but I do think about it every day.

I wish you all the best on whatever treatment path you follow. Thanks once more for sharing and please keep in touch.

Steve

User

Posted 11 Jun 2024 at 16:00

Thanks Derek very much for the reply, much appreciated and will update when I know more / have made my choice. Thanks also for your treatment time line of events post, very helpful and informative.

Steve, so glad to hear your bone scan was clear.

I think I was offered surgery as they've said my T3b is very early stage. I've been very much going one way and the other on what path to choice, partly because of the advice I've been given, and partly looking at the side effects of both routes, neither are appealing as right now I feel tiptop. I guess I need to get my head around the fact I do have cancer and the treatment will save me from a much worse and shortened future.

I think being in the position to choose treatment is a double edge sword, at least I have some control over my destiny but equally it so hard, six months ago I couldn't really have told you exactly what the prostate even does!

I think I'm edging towards HT followed by radiation, the last surgeon I spoke to said there wouldn't be any nerve sparing option and that he would look to remove lymph nodes too and like Derek said likely SRT afterwards.

I think about it every day too, it is exhausting

All the best and sending good vibes your way for your PET scan results

John

User

Posted 11 Jun 2024 at 22:53

I was T3a upon diagnosis and Gleason 7. I had a RP. After the surgery, I was upgraded to pT3b. I was 46 years old. This was in 2016.

A year later I had to have SRT and 18 months of HT.

8 years on, I've very much alive. My psa has been undetectable now for 6 years.

Don't lose hope. You're very young and it isn't fair, but there is every reason for hope.

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Recently diagnosed. 44 Help - I’m afraid of Metastatic prostate cancer

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