Skip to main content
Site logo linking the user to the homepage Site logo linking the user to the homepage

John's Story

Ethnicity
White British
Age
50-59
Work
Retired
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Geography
Yorkshire
Relationship status
Married/In a Civil Partnership
Listen

Radical Prostatectomy (Surgery)

Tips and advice for any bladder or bowel side effects of treatment

Do not have your catheter taken out 7 days after surgery. Make sure they leave it in for at least 2 weeks. I had anastomotic leak. 11 / 10 on the pain scale.

Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment

Accept you are a broken machine.

Tips and advice for any mental and emotional side effects of treatment

Accept your mojo is in a jar in a laboratory and you are not getting it back!

How this treatment impacted my life the most

Removal of 2/3 of the bladder (diseased) means I have Nocturia. I get up 4 to 5 times every night to go to the toilet. At worst 9 times in the night. Exhausting. I have had Botox to help.

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

I had no choice. Have the surgery or die.

Hormone Therapy (injections and relugolix tablets)

Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment

I have prostap injections every 3 months. It will eat your soul!

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

Accept the fact you will become 1/4 of the person you used to be, but with an extra 2 stone!

Tips and advice for any mental and emotional side effects of treatment

I ‘run’ slowly every morning attend 3 exercises classes a week. Go to the gym by myself 4 times a week…… It makes no difference. You are just ‘treading water’ no matter how hard you try.

How this treatment impacted my life the most

Weight gain (12 kg), hot flushes, affected by cold, no stamina or resilience, but at least I only shave every 3 weeks, hair cut every 2 months (just to catchup with the barber).

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Not sure

Why did I give this answer?

I often feel I am burning in hell for a mistake I made in a past life.

Radiotherapy

Tips and advice for any bladder or bowel side effects of treatment

Pads and pants

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

The preparation required for radiotherapy is demeaning and takes 1/2 a day for a 10 minute dose of radiotherapy on the table. Kiss goodbye to a month of your life.

How this treatment impacted my life the most

Destroyed my resilience. Took 6 months to recover any resemblance of ‘get up and go’. Just drained.

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

It reduced my PSA level from a growing 1.4 post operation.

Share your story with others

By sharing your experience of prostate cancer on the infopool you can help others. Your experience is valuable as they go through their own journey. Help make the prostate cancer community stronger.

Share story

Prostate Cancer Research logo
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Policies
  • Contact us
  • About infopool
  • Accessibility statement
  • Info for HCPs

Prostate Cancer Research 

Suite 2, 23-24 Great James Street, 

London WC1 3ES

Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Youtube

Copyright 2025, All rights reserved. Registered Charity No: 1156027 

Site design by IE Digital

Main navigation
  • Home
  • Testing and Diagnosis
    • Prostate and you
    • Explore Diagnostics
    • Testing and diagnosis tool
    • Grading and Staging
    • Find services near me
    • Prostate Biopsy
    • Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
  • Treatment and Care
    • Cancer Waiting Time Standards
    • Explore Treatments
    • Understand treatment choices
    • Prostate cancer treatment information webinars
    • Shared Decision Making
    • Palliative (supportive) care
    • End-of-life care
    • Mastering healthcare conversations
  • Stories
    • Share your story
    • Patient stories
    • Partners & carers
    • Living with side effects
  • Side Effects
    • Getting support for long-term effects of hormone therapy
    • Living with side effects
    • Emotional and Psychological Support
    • Getting support for peeing problems
    • Managing hot sweats and fatigue with hormone therapy
    • Getting support for sexual problems
    • Late effects of radiotherapy treatment
  • Partners and Carers
    • Partners and Carers
  • Research and Trials
    • Find clinical trials near me
    • Join Prostate Progress
Donate
User account menu
  • Log in
Powered by Prostate Cancer Research Prostate Cancer Research Logo