"Prostate Cancer"

About: Adult Health & Support Services / Macmillan Improving the Cancer Journey South Lanarkshire Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre / Acute Assessment Oncology Unit General practices in Lanarkshire Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow / Urology (Ward 11c) Scottish Ambulance Service / Emergency Ambulance The Lanarkshire Beatson University Hospital Monklands / Radiology University Hospital Monklands / Urology (Ward 6) University Hospital Wishaw / Outpatients

(as the patient),

Went to the doctor  with an Inguinal hernia , doctor asked how my health was in general told her I was on Tamsulosin but still getting up frequently during the night. Blood test were arranged which confirmed a higher than normal PSA level. Doctor suggested an other blood test which subsequently confirmed the above normal PSA level . Scans and biopsy were arranged

After the biopsy, I got a call from the consultant with the results of the biopsy; there was cancer in the prostate and it looked like it was contained within the prostate. My reaction to this was both thankfulness and relief – thankful that my prostate cancer had been diagnosed at an early, contained stage and relief that there were treatment options that seemed to offer a cure. An appointment was made with the surgeon and the oncologist. Met with the surgeon first and made the decision to go for surgery. Appointment with oncologist cancelled as I had made the decision to go for surgery. The Surgeon made me feel involved in the decision taken and explained the whole picture. The main points that helped me decide to have surgery (radical prostatectomy) over radiotherapy were that, if radiotherapy didn’t work, it could make surgery more difficult in the future. I also found the idea of hormone therapy and weeks of daily appointments for radiotherapy fairly daunting. So, I my mind up at the point and decided surgery was the right option for me. As a bonus for me the surgeon also repaired my hernia at the same time which was advantageous as the waiting time for hernia surgery was 2 years. 

The surgery itself  was fine, the surgeon said it all went well, he also phoned my wife and advised her that all went well and I was sent home the following day. I left hospital with a suprapubic catheter, and was advised to shut this off 5 days after the operation and attempt toileting as normal. Unfortunately this was the worst part of the whole procedure so far for me as I ended  up in hospital  with a pelvic infection and spent a further week in hospital on morphine and antibiotics.

Getting to the hospital was challenging as I was in severe pain and no ambulances were available so had to drive myself there with my wife.

Once in the hospital the staff attitude , skills and attention was all excellent the operating surgeon even phoned my mobile to find out how I was . This call was made during the hospital doctors rounds and he was able to update the surgeon. After the surgery and the hospital stay I wore men’s incontinence pads on  occasion for a period of time but my main issue was an urgency with bowel movements.

Telephone calls from the cancer nurse and occupational health were really helpful offering advice with regard to daily living support , transport to and from the hospital, toilet habits , what foods and drinks to avoid/ take and exercise including pelvic floor exercises.

Regrettably at my follow up meeting with the surgeon he confirmed that there were cancer signs in my prostate bed and surrounding lymph nodes. Which wasn't the result I was expecting. An appoint was made with the oncologist and  33 session of radiotherapy were arranged. As previously mention the thought of daily appointments for 7 weeks ( Monday to Friday) for treatment was daunting. But the staff and radiotherapy team are outstanding and having been  assured by them that you won’t feel a thing they lined me up against the tattoos that had previously been placed on my sides and stomach directly over the prostate bed. Everyone leaves and you are alone. The procedure only takes about 10 -15 minutes in total including lining you up.  What is more its true you don't feel anything. Some good news then. The issues I had during the treatment are an urgency incontinence  both urinary and bowel and still experiencing this 6 weeks after treatment ended.  

Being diagnosed and living with prostate cancer not only impacted  my physical health but also affected my  thoughts and emotions. Luckily for me I had considerable support from family and friends. However there are times when it's good to speak to people you know and trust, and other times  it's good to speak to strangers and this is when the calls from the cancer care nurses  really helped. 

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Margaret Gray, Clinical Service Manager, Specialist Oncology Services (Beatson), NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde last month
Margaret Gray
Clinical Service Manager, Specialist Oncology Services (Beatson),
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Submitted on 06/02/2025 at 14:28
Published on Care Opinion at 14:28


Dear Janwull,

thank you for sharing your prostate cancer experience during such a difficult time for you and your family. I will share your lovely comments with the Radiotherapy staff. Wishing you all the best with your continued recovery.

Kindest regards

Margaret Gray

Clinical Service Manager

Specialist Oncology

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Lynn McTavish, Surgical Service Manager, University Hospital Monklands, NHS Lanarkshire last month
Lynn McTavish
Surgical Service Manager, University Hospital Monklands,
NHS Lanarkshire
Submitted on 06/02/2025 at 14:34
Published on Care Opinion at 14:34


picture of Lynn McTavish

Dear Janwull

Thank you so much for taking the time to tell us about your recent experience after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. What an anxious and worrying time for you and I am glad that all those services listed above have been able to make this as smooth a journey as possible for you.

I will make sure that your feedback is shared with the Urology team and they will be pleased to receive this.

With very best wishes for your ongoing treatment.

Lynn McTavish

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Mhairi Simpson, Nurse Consultant, University Hospital Monklands, NHS Lanarkshire last month
Mhairi Simpson
Nurse Consultant, University Hospital Monklands,
NHS Lanarkshire

I am the professional lead for cancer nursing and a member of the cancer care management team.

Submitted on 07/02/2025 at 08:56
Published on Care Opinion at 08:56


picture of Mhairi Simpson

Dear Janwull

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. We really value feedback and gaining insight into your perspective. It is important for us to understand what matters to people affected by prostate cancer. I will share this with the cancer nurses involved in your care.

Best wishes

Mhairi

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Donna Bruce, Macmillan Programme Manager, Macmillan Improving the Cancer Journey, South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership last month
Donna Bruce
Macmillan Programme Manager, Macmillan Improving the Cancer Journey,
South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership
Submitted on 10/02/2025 at 14:27
Published on Care Opinion at 14:30


picture of Donna Bruce

Hi Janwull,

Thank you for taking the time to share your story.

I am glad to hear that the services have given you the support and advice required to help you through this difficult time. I wish you well and would like to remind you if you ever need any further support you can contact us directly.

Best wishes

Donna Bruce

Macmillan programme manager

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Marie Kennedy, Patient Experience Manager, Corporate Affairs, Scottish Ambulance Service 3 weeks ago
Marie Kennedy
Patient Experience Manager, Corporate Affairs,
Scottish Ambulance Service
Submitted on 20/02/2025 at 17:26
Published on Care Opinion at 17:26


picture of Marie Kennedy

Dear Janwull,

Thank you for sharing your experience and feedback. Similar to what my NHS colleagues have said above I can only imagine that this must be a very challenging time for you and your family.

I'm sorry to hear that you were in a lot of pain and that there were no ambulances available to take you to hospital. Unfortunately, we are facing increasing demand and have to prioritise calls which involve life threatening cases. However, I understand that it is far from ideal to have to drive yourself in the condition that you were in at the time and I'm sorry that you had to experience this.

If you wish to provide further feedback about this particular incident we would need to know the date, time and address that the Ambulance attended and your name. This information can be sent to sas.feedback@nhs.scot for the team to pick up.

Thanks again for your candid feedback and I wish you the very best with your ongoing treatment.

Marie

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k