What happened when you first were diagnosed with prostate cancer?
Were you offered any support?
I am helping plan an ASPI meeting in April on the lack of support for newbies.
What do you remember when the doc said you have prostate cancer?
What happened next …. ?
Did the urologist offer support? Did a nurse?
Were you pointed to a support group?
Were you on your own?
Can you comment below? Please. Need your help.
The Active Surveillor.
What do you remember when the doc said you have prostate cancer?
I was told over the phone, which is all right, but not offered any other information than I could wait for treatment later, and probably years later.
What happened next …. ?
I said I was intrested in waiting for treatment. Then the urologist told me of the monitoring protocols. A PSA test every 6 months, and a follow up biopsy in one year. I agreed to both of those.
Did the urologist offer support? Did a nurse?
No. No support.
Were you pointed to a support group?
No.
Were you on your own?
Yes.
Can you comment below? Please. Need your help.
Looking back, upon diagnosis five years ago this January, I greatly increased my drinking and went into a slump, My girlfriend said to find a support group. After one year I looked for a support group, found two, tried both of them, and chose one of those two.
Because of advise in the support group, I cut way back on alcohol, changed my diet to mostly plant based, and exercise regularly. I have, for other reasons, engaged in much more social activities, and consider that an important part of my new lifestyle.
The support group has helped a lot. I am the only one on AS, and I think the leader resents my presence, but that is not my problem. The others in the group are great.
After one year in the support group, my anxiety lessened. I find a lot of education on the internet.
Gleason 3+3, January 2017, one core, I can't find what percentage, PSA 8+, up from 4. 12 core transrectal ultrasound
Follow up biopsy february 2018, ASAP Atypical Asinar , 12 core transrectal ultrasound
Prostate size 35 grams, so above 4 needs to be monitored. Last PSA Feb 2022, still 4.4.
Scott. Sounds like inadequate communications. When were you diagnosed? Gleason 6? No explanation? Did you finally go on AS? Where are you based? Are things better now?