Like other posters on here have said, I'm sharing my journey as a way of helping others who may find these words resonate with themselves. And because it's good to talk and it's quite obvious looking at today's stats, that men love to talk about trains but prostates, not so much.
I have known that I had BPH for about 13 years. With nocturnal visits increasing and also more urgency to pass urine during the day. I'm not a heavy drinker but I still found that I struggled to cope with the sheer volume of liquid in a couple of pints. That's when I swapped to drinking mainly red wine instead.
I had occasional PSA tests and these were slightly elevated so I was prescribed Tamsulosin. After taking these for a number of years, I didn't find they helped that much but who knows? In May this year, (2023), I asked for a PSA test and the result came back higher than previous ones, which were usually around the 2.5 - 3.0 mark. But the latest had increased to 4.6. This was the turning point after 13 years of occasional finger probes and PSA tests.
So an appointment was made with a Urologist consultant. She explained that at this point it was unclear. so recommended a localised CT scan. This is where they inject a dye into the system which helps to highlight any signs of cancer. Unfortunately, the scan showed that I did in fact have prostate cancer.
I was immediately introduced to a MacMillan nurse who explained the next stages. First a biopsy, which is not very pleasant, but not as bad as I was preparing myself for. The results of which backed up the CT findings. Next a full body CT scan and an MRI scan to investigate whether the cancer had spread to any other areas. The results again weren't good as I was told that the cancer had already spread outside the prostate to the nodes. So in fact I had gone from a category 'T' (Tumour), to a category 'N' (Nodes). With a Gleeson score of 4+5 (9). The next appointment was with the surgeon where he explained that Radiotherapy was not now an option and that they recommended a RALP. The plan was to fast-track me for surgery as the cancer was found to be a more aggressive type.
So five weeks ago, on the 20th November, I attended the RD&E hospital and underwent surgery to completely remove my prostate and the surrounding nodes.
I am very pleased to say that I'm making a really good recovery. Still not allowed to drive or do anything strenuous. But light modelling is OK.
