Advice on options

I don't have a view one way or the other - it just surprises me that you have been able to determine this when the DoH has had to write a 22 page document for hospitals to help them work out what is very complex stuff. He can be British, with a British passport and an address here but still not have Ordinary Residence status. You don't know how long this man has been working in Kuwait, whether he is paid in £ or currency, whether he is ending his contract to demonstrate a permanent return or anything like that.

"it's no good being the richest man in the graveyard."

Absolutely - we didn't have health insurance so we self-funded to ensure John had the surgeon my dad and other family members were under. All those years ago my dad paid £18000 cash for what was then a trial technique (nerve sparing) because it wasn't available on the NHS. As you say, when something like this happens you want to be in your own bed so to speak.

Hi everyone and its been a while since I have been on here but here is my update.

I continued to watch my PSA and it stayed consistent with the first level. I came back to the UK in Jan 2017 to meet with the consultant urologist from the NHS I then had a further MRI in Jul 2017 and waited. I continued my PSA testing every three months but then decided at the end of 2017 that I could not wait any longer for my treatment and opted through referral to be treated at the Birmingham Prostate Clinic.

To cut a long story short in April I had another MRI and within three days was on the operating table for Open Radical Prostatectomy. Post Op I stayed in hospital for four days and was discharged with catheter of which that was later removed after a week or so. Once the catheter was removed it was a while before I could pee properly again abiet I did pelvic floor daily. I then went back around one month post op to learn the cancer removed was T3a with extra capsular spread on the right side all margins were clear although very close on the right apex and the right circumferential. It was also Gleason 4 x 3 and the synth nodes were negative. At this time I wait the 3 month pSA but the consultant if quite confident the cancer has been removed.

Recovery was slow but I am feeling 100% and really fit and healthy post op. I do think I was very very lucky and If I can give any advice I think by waiting for my op for over twelve months post diagnosis I gambled and in hindsight would never had done that. Plus the PSA gave me no reason for alarm.

I will update again 

Thanks so much

Terry

Edited by member 10 Jun 2018 at 13:31  | Reason: Not specified

Hi Terry,

Glad to hear you are feeling 100% and hope everything now is sorted.

Hearing this makes me thankful I took the decision to have the robotic operation as soon as I found out I had PC and not monitor the situation

which was one of the options offered to me.

I too have a friend who was diagnosed with PC and took the option to monitor it for 12 months. Eventually he took the decision to have the operation as his PSA was rising. After the operation it was found the cancer had spread and he has had to undergo RT.

Its a matter of choices and everyone is different as to what they choose.

Something for others in a similar situation to consider.

Best Wishes

Rich