Patient Stories:
Colin | David | David B | Geoffrey | Jeremy | John | John P | Kevin | Paul | Peter | Ralph | Richard
Patient Stories - Geoffrey, 63
My name is Geoffrey and I am 63 years old. On a day in December I arrived at my doctor’s surgery for a PSA blood test. I was responding to an invitation from my medical practice to participate in a study on prostate cancer.
I was and still am a reasonably fit fellow. I had no symptoms at all that would relate to prostate problems, neither had prostate cancer ever occurred in my family line. So when I met the nurse that day I did so with the thought that I might be able to contribute something to the study. I subsequently underwent a blood test and a biopsy. It was this that showed that I had cancer. Initially I felt quite shocked. This lasted just a few days. It is from this point that my little cancer journey began. I soon learnt how important it was for me to own the problem and to not let what I term ‘the health system’ dictate anything. If I had not got more personally involved in my options there is no doubt that I would have found myself restricted to one of three treatment options, namely monitoring, conventional radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy
As I investigated and read the content of various internet web sites I learned that there were many other choices than these three. The trouble was that the more options I discovered the greater problem I had deciding which was right for me. I read a great deal and was sent all sorts of articles from friends and relations. I even had one on freezing from my mother-in-law! The information sent to me was well-meant but there came a point when it all got a bit much. At this point that I did what I would now recommend to anyone. I paid to see an independent consultant privately to talk through the options in lay terms. From what I had read and from the conversations I had had with friends the treatment I personally favored was removal of the prostate by keyhole surgery. My reasons were:-
 |
I wanted a treatment that would as far as possible be once only and final. The thought of treatments that would leave the prostate in situ just wasn't my scene. |
|
For a number of reasons I was uneasy about the other options, particularly those involving forms of radiotherapy. |
|
Keyhole surgery is not as intrusive as open radical prostatectomy and would permit a return to normal activities surprisingly quickly. |
|
I wanted to minimise any after effects and certainly wanted to avoid any form of treatment that would have to be given over a period of time. |
The consultation with the independent consultant endorsed my views. I also learned that with any form of treatment, including keyhole surgery, there were risks but some of the risks could be minimised by being fit. I was encouraged to do pelvic floor exercises, which I did. This really paid dividends: no continence problems at all. For most treatments, but I feel particularly with keyhole surgery, the skill of the consultant is of utmost importance. If I had lacked any confidence or trust in the skill of my surgeon I would not have proceeded.
I was in hospital for just a few days. My prostate has been removed with no health repercussions at all. I could drive a car after the catheter was removed and I was back to work full time within 4 weeks. For me this form of treatment was everything I had hoped it would be. I can only extend my real heart felt thanks to Mr Eden and his team at The Hampshire Clinic in Basingstoke not only for the care they showed me but also for the incredible skill that I know was used in my treatment.
Colin | David | David B | Geoffrey | Jeremy | John | John P | Kevin | Paul | Peter | Ralph | Richard
