Stephen's Story

Ethnicity
White British
Age
60-69
Work
Manual work
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Geography
West Midlands
Relationship status
Single/divorced

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

I was reluctant to use male sanitary pads when first diagnosed, but I wish I had, I put myself through a lot of embarrassing situations as a result, which did affect my emotional mental health. If I had got used to using the pads earlier, I would have been in a better state of mind , especially after I had my prostate removed, at which time there was was no other choice but to use sanitary pads, I think I would have been better prepared mentally, if I had been accustomed to using pads, to some this may sound trivial, but I guarantee it's not.

Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment

Learn to live with it, there is no alternative.

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

Pay attention to the people who know you best, it's not always possible to detect a change in your personality, so if family and friends think your mood or demeanor has changed, go and tell your doctor, I wish I had done earlier.

How this treatment impacted my life the most

I was under active observation for about 7years, my PSA blood test results fluctuated between 5 to 9, at the times of higher levels I became more anxious, I would have preferred to be given MRI scans at these times, rather than to be told to wait to see what my next PSA result would be, this could be six months later, which put me personally under a lot of stress and anxiety.

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

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

I chose to have the active surveillance treatment at the time for a number of reasons, financial, timing, loss of a sex life, reluctance to be incontinent for however long that might be, advice from urolagy consultant and from a surgical consultant.

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

Start using sanitary pads before your operation, it takes a bit of time to work out a method that suits you, as for myself I had never slept in any night wear, but after my operation I had to get used to wearing briefs with a pad, it might sound daft, but I had to be confident I wasn't going to wet the bed, you have to make sure the briefs you were of the correct type, no point wearing baggy pants with a pad at night , as you won't realise what's happening when your asleep, so snug fitting briefs that hold the pad in place are the best, believe me, it takes a little while to get used to them, saying that, you will have a catheter fitted for two weeks after your operation, so the opposite is needed, baggy boxers, hope that's not confusing.

Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment

I think we all know the consequences of having your prostate removed, but if you are at that point, then it's a life or death situation, so the choice is made for you.

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

I would just say talk openly to the people who matter the most to you, the worst thing to do is to bottle up your emotions.

How this treatment impacted my life the most

Once I had recovered from surgery, the biggest impact on my life was being incontinent, you have to plan how to live with it, it's surprising how much it can dominate your life, the fear of giving off the odour of urine from the pad your wearing makes you very self conscious, especially with strangers, who don't know about your condition, personally, all I seem to be able to smell is the odour, scent, off the sanitary pad, maybe I will get used to it with time.

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

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

I was at the point were my cancer might spread outside my prostate, after my lat MRI scan there had been a significant change in the prostate, so the choice had been taken out of my hands.

Share your story with others

By sharing your story you can help others. Share what went well, what didn't and everything in between. Your experience is valuable. Help make the prostate cancer community stronger.

Share story