phil

Hi Clarence

I read your post with interest, as mine is a very similar story. I live
in Perth, I'm a public patient and am getting my treatment at SCGH in
Nedlands. I was first diagnosed last December as a result of an initial
PSA of 14.3 that led subsequently to biopsy and the rest is history. I
have no idea any of the the figures but they did tell me that i was a
2Ta. My urologist was eager to do a radical prostatectomy suggesting it
would be the best for me. I went to see an oncologist who after
reviewing my case felt that he had an equal chance of putting me into
remission, having readjusted me to a 2Tb. After many nights of research
on the Internet, reading dozens of articles, I came to the conclusion
that whatever my doctors thought my prognosis was, to a certain degree
it was guesswork. My findings indicated that although they were telling
me my tumour was localised there was no real way of knowing until they
opened me up. It therefore followed in my mind, right or wrong, that
really I was borderline. Based on all of this I eventually opted for
radiotherapy. I volunteered for a trial program in which I will be
receiving hormonal therapy for a period of 18 months. This commenced
five months before seven weeks of radiotherapy.the hormones they are
giving me are called Lucrin. at the moment I am just over half way
through the radiotherapy and travelling fine. my PSA has dropped to
normal levels, a few emotional swings and hot flushes from the hormones,
and a little bit of diarrhoea from the radiotherapy. at this stage I
have still retained my potency although I really if ever feel inclined.
as far as potency is concerned, I would be lying if I said it wasn't an
important issue to me, and I am hoping that at some point in the future
that my *** life will return to some degree of normality. The first and
foremost however, is that they will be able to put me into remission.
incidentally this is my first post in this group having only just
discovered it, and yours was the first post I read. Lots of reading to do.
Best wishes CLarence Phil O
PS My very deepest thanks to the Cancer Council for Their wonderful Support.