This is my second and final week of SBRT, and the start of my 3rd month of ADT. I don't know why, I guess it is the ADT, but lately I have been spiraling emotionally. When I am alone, I start crying about nothing. I feel small and tiny and when I go out I try to disappear so that I don't offend anyone or get in their way. Other times I feel the exact opposite. I want to rip people's heads off and take a shit down their throat. Not really, I have never been violent and never will be.

Today I felt so depressed I had to drive to Dairy Queen and order a large M&M Blizzard. Before you say I need to seek professional health, I bet I have fired more therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists than you have ever hired. Their drugs and lame off-topic talks don't help me. I have Autism Spectrum Disorder, level 1. Formally known as Asperger's Syndrome. I am neurodivergent, thus the username. I am an autistic on ADT.

I see sexy women, including my wife, and wonder what all the fuss was about? Why have I spent so much of my time and money on women? Sex is in this walled-off part of my brain, like a lost memory or something I have been hypnotized to forget. I know it's there, but I cannot access it. To ward off potential veinous leak syndrome and damage to he who was formally known as Mr. Happy, I am supposed to achieve an erection each day. At this point I can get there with a bit of fiddling (it takes longer than it should in my current testosterone-deprived state). If I stay on my current trajectory, and there is no reason to believe that I won't, I am about a week or two away from needing to break out the penis pump I purchased for this occasion. By the way, if you are wondering if there is any desire to keep things going afterwards, I can assure you there is not. More like, glad that is over, what a waste of time. Some days, actually probably about half, I just skip it all together - I just don't feel like it.

When this all started at the beginning of the year and the PSA numbers were coming back high and I was told a digital exam felt suspicious, I didn't even tell my wife at first. I thought it was all nonsense. There was no way I had cancer. When the biopsy came back positive, I was floored. I could not believe it. I could not believe God would give me cancer.

Let's just don't even talk about religion, it will just depress me even further. Half of you will say God doesn't exist, the other half will say it is a sin to question God. We are all human and have our beliefs.

I am still able to put on a brave face for my wife and family. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Statistically prostate cancer survivors live longer because it is a wake up call to get fit and eat better. This is nothing. I'll be fine. It's just cancer. Nothing to see here. Move along."

That is what I say. My wife can see that I am cracking up. She is very supportive. I will be fine. Anyway. That is what's going on.

STATS: USA, 64 years old, PSA 11.6, unfavorable intermediate risk, Gleason 4+3=7, 6/13 cores positive, 42 ml prostate, Decipher 0.61, locally contained. Pre-ADT testosterone 323. Treatment: 5 sessions SBRT + 6 months ADT (ADT). Daily strength training, 3-mile walk, Cialis, Calcium supplements. Height 5’-9”, weight 170 lbs.

51 yrs old. Diagnosed July 2025. PSA 93, 12/12 cores biopsy +, Gleason 9, metastasized tip of femur, right pelvic wing, 5 pelvic lymph nodes, 2 lymph nodes along spine near stomach. Started lupron (life) & 6 rounds of chemo on 9/11/2025, brachytherapy 68 pins in prostate 3/26/2026. 20 rounds of radiation. 2 weeks ago PSA was .167. I have been eating good lean meals this entire process, running / walking relentlessly, and started lifting weights 5 weeks ago. Today is my proud moment milestone. I started Sept 11, 2025 at 6'1" 224 lbs and today I am at 223.8 lbs. I didn't think I would get back here but hard work has paid off. Next goal 205lbs. Keep at it boys , fight the fight!! God Bless

58 yr old with Gleason 7 (3+4) diagnosed a few months ago. After many consultations, hours of research, and some restless nights dreaming about this shit I decided to go with radiation, 20 doses of EBRT to start after Thanksgiving. I considered surgery, HD Brachytherapy and SBRT as well.

I knew early on that the surgery wasn't for me, so my real choice was between my radiation options. In the end it came down to the longer course of radiation because of my baseline urinary symptoms.

Now I look forward to getting started with treatment after some fun family trips earlier in the fall.

I’m 38 and have just been diagnosed with Gleason 7, 3+4, I am completely floored by this....

I’d mentally prepared myself for maybe a small amount of grade 1 but not this, my family is devastated. My urologist is recommending surgery, and I already have an appointment booked with the surgeon to discuss my case.

At the moment, I’m leaning towards surgery. From what I’ve read salvage surgery after radiotherapy can be much more complicated, and with two small children aged 1 and 3, longevity is my main priority.

For anyone who has been through something similar, particularly at a younger age, what treatment did you choose and how did you arrive at that decision?

Case and results:

• Initial PSA: 2.18 → repeat 1.9
• Prostate volume: 18 cc
• PSA density: ~0.11
• Mild urinary symptoms: IPSS 7/35
• DRE: moderately smooth
• MRI: 8 mm PI-RADS 3 focus in the left posterior peripheral zone at the apex
• Strong family history: my grandfather, father and uncle all had prostate cancer

Transperineal MRI-US fusion biopsy — 28 cores:

• Left posterior MRI target: 6 cores positive for Gleason 3+4=7, Grade Group 2
• Pattern 4 only 5–10%
• Non-cribriform
• Longest cancer length: 7 mm
• Right anterior and right mid: Gleason 3+3, Grade Group 1
• Left anterior: tiny focus of Grade Group 1, 1 mm
• No cribriform pattern
• No intraductal carcinoma
• No perineural invasion
• No fat invasion
• 11 cores involved overall

Overall diagnosis: Gleason 3+4=7, Grade Group 2, multifocal prostate cancer.

Looking for some hope from people with similar experiences.

My dad is 82 and was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011. After his first radiation treatment, he went into remission. Over the years, it came back a few times, but it was closely monitored and treated with hormone therapy, targeted radiation, medications, and participation in different prostate cancer trials. It never left the prostate and he had many years where treatments worked and he was able to live his life normally aside from some minor side effects.

At the end of 2025, he was diagnosed with small-cell prostate cancer. He had 5 rounds of chemo this year to target the small-cell component, which we were told was more aggressive. It initially shrank some of the small-cell cancer. Unfortunately, a few months later, the cancer progressed very rapidly. Within about 2 weeks at the end of July, new spots appeared in the colon, bones, bladder, kidney, lymph nodes, lung and liver.

He has been hospitalized a few times over the past year because of his kidney function. He has a double-J stent in his left kidney, which, even with the stent, is only functioning at about 10%. His right kidney seems to be functioning fairly well, but it seems to be dependent on him staying hydrated.

He’s now scheduled to start a different chemo on September 15. We’re told this one targets prostate cancer more generally. Given his age, my dad’s fear of more chemo and the advancement of the disease, I felt that his oncologist was leaning more toward no further chemo. But she said that ultimately, if he’s feeling well enough and wants to try, he absolutely can. She said it could give him an extra 3 months on average, but I hate hearing numbers and hope he could get more.

We talked it through as a family, and because he still feels relatively well overall, is eating, talking, making his own decisions and wants to keep fighting for more time, he decided to try chemo again. He does have increasing pain and nausea and is weaker than he used to be, which was also a motivating factor in hoping that treatment might help him feel better.

I know the situation is serious, but I’m not looking for someone to give me a prognosis. I’m really just looking for some hope and to hear from people who have been in a similar situation.

I know I’m lucky to have had my dad through this disease for so long, and I cherish every moment I have with him. But I love him so much, and it never feels like enough time. I wish he could just grow old without cancer because, otherwise, he’s always been the healthiest, sharpest old guy I know.

I’m only 32 and I selfishly want more time with him, as long as that time is quality time for him. I’m doing everything I can through research and support to make sure whatever time he has left is as good as possible.

Anyways, I believe he’s going to be getting cabazitaxel. Has anyone or their family member had experience with cabazitaxel after trying a different chemo? Did you/they feel the effects were less bad? My dad had a lot of nausea with his first round of chemo and lost a lot of weight. We’re hoping he tolerates this one better, especially as he will be getting a smaller dose.

If you or a family member tried this type of chemo, did it stabilize things, improve symptoms, or give you/them more good time than you/they expected?

I could really use some hope right now. ❤️ Thanks!

Does this happen? Should I expect it to get worse or degenerate?

RALP last Monday 8/24.

Had the cath out yesterday 8/31 at 11am. 3 hour drive home. Had lunch w/glass of water, 2 hours later got home and had a regular pee and BM. Rest of the day had a couple more as I drank moderately. Each time I could feel mild urgency, but there was no rush.

Overnight was the same. Was up 3 times, sleeping 3-4 hours then got up, relieved as I would have before.

I've been 100% dry. Still wearing the pull up because I can't believe it's not going to say "oops!! Sorry my man, meant to be leaking all over the place...."

Anyone else experience this?

Path results in a few days. Can't help but feel the Gods are messing with me and will deliver the blow with the path results. Or in 3 months with the PSA test....

I was 64 when I was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate (116 mL) and clinical T1c N0 M0, Gleason 3+4 and 3+3 prostate adenocarcinoma in 6 of 16 cores, pretreatment PSA 5.46 (clinical stage IIB).

Treatment options:

1. My urologist recommends removal of the prostate. The cure rate is in the low 90%. The usual side effects, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, etc. This would be robotic surgery that is nerve-sparing. The recovery time is 4-6 weeks.
2. Photon Radiation- I asked for a referral for radiation treatment instead. The Radiation Oncologist did no exam and explained that I would need a spacer inserted by the Urologist. Cure rate is in the low 90%. Side effects- Fatique, slow onset of erectile dysfunction, all caused by Genitourinary (GU) toxicity—refer to side effects and damage to the urinary and reproductive organs, such as the bladder, urethra, and prostate, often caused by pelvic radiation therapy for cancers like prostate cancer. These can take place years after treatment. Photon radiation exposes your body to a broad beam of radiation, like a flashlight.

I wanted to look at other options, and a friend referred me to Proton therapy. There was a center close to me, so I self-referred, as the urologist said surgery was best for me and he did not think proton therapy would be effective.

1. Proton Radiation—I met with the radiation oncologist—he said my prostate was too big for proton therapy. I told him I did not want to do surgery, so he said he could shrink my prostate with Lupron, wait 6 months, and recheck. This is neoadjuvant therapy, a medical treatment given as a first step to shrink a tumor before the main treatment. Cure rate is in the 90th Percentile also.

After 6 months and the usual side effects, hot flashes and erectile dysfunction, I was ready for Proton therapy. They place 3 markers on your prostate in the office, then the treatment starts after an indexing session. The markers direct the beam placement, and it rasters the proton radiation on the prostate, one layer at a time. I received 72 gray units of radiation with no spacer needed.

During treatment, I continued running 5Ks. I did stop riding my bike for long distances to avoid irritation, at my doctor's advice. I had some mild side effects: leaking urine and urgency to poop.

This was 5 years ago. My PSA averages .28. The side effects have resolved. I do have dry orgasms, which feel odd at first but now are normal for me. I no longer have difficulty in urinating and can completely empty. I don't get up at night to pee. I feel great.

I was surprised how much resistance I received from each doctor when I wanted to seek other treatments.

I am very happy with how it all turned out and urge each of you newly diagnosed to go with your gut and look for the most effective treatment with the fewest side effects. For me, it was Proton Therapy.

Hey y’all - just a quick background about me.

Age: 40
PSA in 2021 - 1.7
PSA in 2022 - 2.0
PSA in 2023 - 2.0
2024 - did not do any bloodwork
2025 - did not do any bloodwork
PSA in July 2026 - 3.54
PSA in Aug 2026 - 3.889
MRI - PI-RADS 3

Snippet of my MRI:

PROSTATE GLAND: The prostate measures approximately 3.2 × 4 × 3.3 cm in AP, transverse, and craniocaudal
dimension, for estimated prostatic volume of 22 mL. The zonal anatomy is preserved.

Lesion #1: At the left prostatic base posterior peripheral zone, 0.7 cm more confluent focal nodular area of
decreased T2 signal is noted. This is associated with mild restricted diffusion without rapid contrast wash in. This is
best characterized as PI-RADS 3 lesion (DWI = 3, DCE+), where the presence of clinically significant cancer is
equivocal. It has broad capsular contact, without definite evidence of extracapsular tumor extension.

TRANSITION ZONE: Heterogeneous and nodular. BPH nodules are noted. No definite suspicious index lesion.

Impression: 0.7 cm PI-RADS 3 lesion at the left prostatic base posterior peripheral zone. It has broad capsular contact, without
definite evidence of extracapsular tumor extension. Prominent pelvic and inguinal nodes, nonspecific.

My next appointment is on September 16 and based on the conversations around this sub I’m expecting biopsy will be the next step.

With 2 more weeks agonizing wait until my next appointment, what do y’all think the current damage is based on the MRI report?

Hi, just wondering if anyone has had the same experience. I'm on 24 months of ADT for a Gleason 9/T3b diagnosis. I had EBRT+Brachy and am about 14 months into my 24. In the last couple of months the Abi has really increased my liver numbers. I'm probably going to have to drop it.

So i am a little over two years post RALP. So far, PSA is undetectable. I’m mid 50s, pretty fit and active. Over the past few months, I’ve noticed this weird feeling like I have to urinate a lot. First happened while traveling. Got checked out and was diagnosed with a UTI and given antibiotics. That didn’t help me enjoy my trip.

Anyway, it just started happening again. There is no way I got a UTI twice in 3 months. I have a doctor friend who told me about pelvic floor tension. It’s exactly what it sounds like.

I write this to alert others who may have the same problem. It’s takes practice (and a lot of it) to get those muscles down there to relax and release but when they do the “symptoms” calm down.

Just putting this up in case anyone is going thru the same thing or maybe you’ll be on the lookout for it in case it does.

My dad (67, otherwise healthy) was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. Details for context:

PSA 18.7, prostate (32 ml), PSA density 0.88.

MRI: PIRADS 5, two lesions, possible extracapsular extension.

Biopsy: Gleason 4+3 (ISUP 3), invasive cribriform pattern present, 5 of 14 cores positive, all right side.

PSMA PET: Clean. No lymph node or bone involvement (N0 M0).

We have the treatment planning appointment coming up soon. Questions for those who’ve walked this path:

1. Anyone with a similar profile (4+3 with cribriform, high-risk localized)? What treatment did you end up with, how was the decision made, and how are you doing now?
2. What do you wish you’d asked at the treatment planning appointment?
3. Anything about this stage, between diagnosis and treatment decision, that you wish you’d known?

He was understandably shaken at first but is doing better now that the PET came back clean. As his son I’m trying to help him go in prepared. Thanks!

How many did PFT prior to RALP?

I'm recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. I'm currently waiting on a second-opinion pathology review and considering robotic prostatectomy. 

My question is more about the surgical approach because I have a significant abdominal surgical history. 

I had a robotic sigmoid colon resection in 2020, and the operative report documented about 45 minutes of adhesiolysis because of abdominal adhesions. Then in 2025, I was hospitalized with a partial small bowel obstruction (SBO), with the CT indicating that adhesions were the likely cause. 

I brought this up with my urologic surgeon. He said the adhesions could definitely affect the prostatectomy, but he really won't know how difficult they are until he gets inside. He said he's never had to abort a prostatectomy because of adhesions, but if it became unsafe, he would stop. 

I've been reading about transperitoneal vs. extraperitoneal robotic prostatectomy. From what I understand, an extraperitoneal approach may potentially avoid entering the abdominal cavity and some intra-abdominal adhesions. 

Has anyone here had a robotic prostatectomy after major abdominal/colon surgery with significant adhesions or a previous adhesive bowel obstruction? Did your surgeon use a transperitoneal or extraperitoneal approach? Did they have to perform adhesiolysis during the prostatectomy? 

I'd especially like to hear from anyone who had a similar abdominal history and how your surgeon handled it. Thank you.

5 Days Post RALPH

I thought I’d share an update on 5 days post RALPH. Each person needs to make their own decision on best path but I opted for RALPH.

Background:
Age:61
Gleason 4+4 = 8
Clinical Stage: T1c
PSA 4.87 (this was a decent jump from my score last year, which drove doctor to recommend MRI)
Decipher Score: .74 from biopsy (considered high risk)

Had RALPH surgery on Wednesday (8/26/26). Procedure took a bit over an hour. Released same day. Has some prior surgical mesh doc had to navigate but was able to remove prostate and no sign of spreading. Awaiting test confirmation.

Recovery pain wasn’t that terrible and less than expected. As you all know, the catheter is a pain in the “penis”. Hopefully getting it out on Wednesday and counting the hours.

Passed a bowel movement on day 2. Been taking two Colace since day prior to surgery. Also starting Miralax post surgery, once a day. Surgeon has me on an antibiotic as well as 5 mg Cialis daily. Took pain meds for 3 days but have fully weened and now on extra strength Tylenol as needed.

Sleeping has been a bit up and down as the catheter makes it a bit hard to get in a comfortable position other than my back. I prefer stomach sleeping. Still taking long naps daily and a bit stir crazy.

Well, that’s where I am as of today. Thanks for allowing me to share. Somewhat cathartic. Good luck everyone.

I’m 57 , completed a different treatment then most 3 SBRT + 25 imrt + short term adt. Ended treatment end of May , orgovyx ended July 3. Otherwise very healthy and in shape. No ED prior to treatment. Currently my erections are back to pre treatment hardness and fullness prior to treatment. Mostly dry orgasms which seem to be improving in terms of feeling more intense as I’m healing.

Question : I knew when I opted for radiation versus surgery there would be a trade-off in that I may ED down the road. I’m starting to wonder since things seem to be operating well did I dodge a bullet or am I waiting for the other shoe to drop six months to two or three years down the line where Mr. happy stops working or works less well? For those of you who are maybe two or three years out from Sbrt or Imrt will things go downhill for me down the road? Already take 5mg cialis daily and Viagra if needed. Totally cool with that forever if need be.

Just curious should I be expecting things to go south or some come through ok ?

Just officially joined a club I wasn't exactly looking to join....

I'm 52 and recently had an MRI-fusion transperineal biopsy after a PI-RADS 5 lesion was found. Biopsy came back positive in 3 areas: 

• Left anterior medial: Gleason 3+4=7, Grade Group 2, <5% pattern 4, ~20% of the core involved
• Targeted MRI lesion/ROI: Gleason 3+4=7, Grade Group 2, <5% pattern 4, ~10% involved  
• Left posterior medial: Gleason 3+3=6, Grade Group 1, ~5% involved  
• The other sampled areas were benign.  

PSA is 3.7. 

I've talked with my urologist, and because I'm only 52, he's leaning more toward definitive treatment/surgery rather than potentially monitoring this for decades. If I were considerably older, surveillance would apparently be a much easier recommendation. 

I'm also having the pathology independently reviewed by Johns Hopkins before making the final decision. 

For now... I've gone ahead and scheduled the surgery so I have a date on the books. If Hopkins comes back with something significantly more favorable, I can always stop and reconsider. If they confirm the current 3+4 or find anything more concerning, I'm currently leaning toward going through with surgery. 

I've definitely thought about active surveillance. The <5% pattern 4 makes that tempting. But I'm also thinking about being 52, hopefully having a lot of years ahead of me, and whether I'd rather deal with definitive treatment now instead of years of PSA tests, MRIs and repeat biopsies and potentially needing treatment later anyway. 

Full disclosure: I already deal with erectile dysfunction and significant urinary/incontinence issues, so two of the major potential quality-of-life consequences of prostatectomy weigh a little differently for me than they might for someone starting with normal function. 

I'm still weighing the pros and cons, and Hopkins could certainly change my thinking. But right now my inclination is: if the pathology is confirmed, get it treated while I'm relatively young rather than spend years wondering what it's doing. 

For those diagnosed around 45–55 with low-volume 3+4 / Grade Group 2....especially anyone with only ~5% pattern 4.....what did you choose? Surgery, radiation, or active surveillance? And looking back, are you happy with your decision? 

My uncle was just diagnosed with prostate cancer and is going to start treatment with a Lupron shot every 6 months. He keeps calling it chemo and has described the upcoming treatment as essentially a mega dose of chemotherapy twice a year.

I just finished chemo for breast cancer (and zoladex, which is similar to lupron), and my understanding is that Lupron is hormone therapy, not chemo.

Part of me thinks it’s worth clarifying because imagining you’re getting a massive dose of chemo every 6 months seems psychologically harmful to him. But I also don’t want to be nitpicky or minimize his treatment and the possible side effects.

am I correct that calling Lupron chemotherapy is medically inaccurate, or is there some broader use of the term “chemo” in prostate cancer that I’m missing?

Would you correct him or just let it be?

Today I learned the results of my biopsy. 7 of the 8 areas tested showed positive results for malignant cells.
5 of the 7 samples had a Gleason score of 9 (4+5).

The other 2 areas tested with a score of 7 (one 4+3 and the other 3+4).

5 of the areas were reported as Grade 5.

The MRI prior to the biopsy showed no signs of spreading beyond the prostate. The biopsy showed no signs of involvement of neurovascular bundles.
I see my doctor tomorrow but to me a complete removal of the prostate makes a lot of sense compared with radiation. I like the idea of fully removing these advanced malignant cells while they are contained in the prostate area.

I am traveling 600 miles to get my RALP in SLC Utah. I will be staying 20 days after the RALP so nominally 10 day post catheter removal. I thought I would stay around a little after in case some complication arises.

Question is driving 600 miles over 2 days after 20 days post RALP a reasonable thing to do? Or should I fly.

Dear all, I am 42. My paternal grandfather died of prostate cancer, my father had prostate cancer in his 50s, underwent surgeries and radiotherapy, and he made it to so far to 89 years old. My father's brother (92) also got diagnosed with it. Given the high genetic risk that I carry, I started when I was 40 to get regular PSA readings and yearly urologist appointments. Am I doing everything correctly? Is there anything I can do in terms of diet, fitness, and the usual recommendations? I want to be proactive and "ready" - Any advice is super appreciated, grateful for any you may provide.

Had my first PSA test since my RALP in late June and the number was 0.6 (was 27 pre RALP).

Going in for a post RALP PT scan in mid September to see if anything has spread. If not, it looks like I'm gonna have to do ADT.

Ich wollte mich einmal melden und meine bisherige Geschichte erzählen. Es tut mir leid, dass es etwas länger geworden ist, aber es gibt leider eine Menge zu erzählen.

Ich bin 56 Jahre alt und bei mir wurde im Januar 2025 Prostatakrebs als „Beifang“ bei einem MRT gefunden. Da ich nebenher noch Morbus Bechterew, also Rheuma habe, wollte meine Rheumatologin den Schmerzen in meiner Hüfte auf den Grund gehen. Die Schmerzen stellten sich als Coxarthrose heraus. Ich hätte nicht ahnen können, dass Rheuma mein geringstes Problem sein würde.
Es wurde also eine unklare Raumforderung in der Prostata gefunden, und alles ging den üblichen Weg, den fast jeder hier gehen muss. Biopsie, Szintigraphie, CT, …
Das Ende vom Lied war ein lymphogen metastasiertes pluriformes Prostatacarcinom mit Glaeson 8 und einem Initialen PSA Wert von 64 und Metastasen in den regionalen Lymphknoten bis zur Aortenbifuraktion.
Mein Urologe hat mich dann zum Prostatakarzinomzentrum in Villingen-Schwenningen überwiesen für eine Zweitmeinung.
Gleichzeitig habe ich die Hormonentzugtherapie mit der Trenantone 3-Monatsspritze und Xtandi begonnen. Eine im Raum stehende Chemotherapie wurde zum Glück erst mal noch nicht gemacht.
Als mein PSA Wert unter 0,03 gesunken ist, habe ich dann von Juni bis August 2025, 44 Bestrahlungen erhalten. Ich hab diese recht gut überstanden, war nur ab der Hälfte extrem müde. Ich wusste damals noch nicht, was ich mir mit dieser Bestrahlung einhandle.
Gleichzeitig habe ich eine Schwerbehinderung beantragt, die auch mit einem GdB von 100 genehmigt wurde.
Es war eigentlich geplant, dass ich im Februar 2025 eine neue linke Hüfte bekomme, da ich kaum laufen konnte. Nach der Krebsdiagnose wurde dies allerdings um ein Jahr verschoben, so dass ich das komplette Jahr 2025 kaum laufen konnte. Aber das hat ja mit dem Prostatakrebs nur am Rande zu tun.
Nach der Bestrahlung bin ich für vier Wochen zur AHB nach Durbach gefahren.
Meine ganzen anderen Krankheiten, lass ich mal beiseite, die haben den Rest des Jahres 2025 gefüllt.
Im Februar 2026 habe ich endlich meine neue Hüfte bekommen und war zur AHB in Bad Dürrheim. Der Oberarzt dort hat mir eindringlich nahe gelegt, eine Erwerbsminderungsrente zu beantragen. Ich habe diese online beantragt und zehn Tage später habe ich die volle Erwerbsminderungsrente bis zum Renteneintritt genehmigt bekommen. Ich war schon etwas verblüfft, dass dies so schnell ging und dass dieser nicht erst einmal befristet war.

Ziemlich genau. Ein Jahr nach der Bestrahlung fingen dann die richtigen Probleme an.
Durch die Bestrahlung habe ich eine Analfissur entwickelt, also einen Riss im Schließmuskel. Das sind so unglaubliche Schmerzen, als ob jemand mit einem Brotmesser die ganze Zeit deinen Hintern aufschneidet. Zuerst sollte ich diese mit diversen Cremes und Zäpfchen behandeln, die Cremes haben nicht geholfen und Zäpfchen konnte ich gar nicht einführen vor Schmerzen. Mein Urologe hat mich dann wieder ins Krankenhaus überwiesen und dort habe ich eine Creme bekommen, die halbwegs geholfen hat. Die Creme wird zur Betäubung bei Eingriffen verwendet (Xylocain).
Meine Rheumatologin hat mich währenddessen, wir sind jetzt im Juni 2026, erneut in ein MRT geschickt, da sich meine Wirbelsäule so langsam versteift.
Und wie nicht anders zu erwarten, wurde dort erneut eine kleine Zugabe entdeckt. Eine Harnstauungsniere rechts. Es sollte nun ein CT mit Kontrastmittel zeigen, wo der Urin im Harnleiter gestaut wird. Leider konnte ich aufgrund meiner Schilddrüse (die wird jetzt im September entfernt) das Kontrastmittel nicht bekommen und meine künstliche Niere hat zur Artefakten auf dem CT geführt, sodass nichts erkannt werden konnte.
Also, wieder auf ins Krankenhaus. Dort wurde mir eine DJ Schiene in den Harnleiter eingebracht. Den habe ich nun seit über drei Wochen drin und empfinde dies als extrem unangenehm. Ich gehe am Tag so alle 15 Minuten aufgrund eines unglaublichen Harndranges auf die Toilette, aber es kommt nur sehr wenig Urin und brennt wie die Hölle. Stellt euch, dass wir eine starke Harnwegsinfektionen vor. Das soll besser werden, ich weiß noch nicht wann. Diese Schiene werde ich bis 19. Oktober haben, an diesem Tag habe ich eine OP in der mir ein Metallstent (Alliumstent) gesetzt wird. Die Engstelle stellt sich als Vernarbung des Harnleiters aufgrund der Bestrahlung dar. Diesen Metallstent darf ich erst mal für ein Jahr tragen.
Es wurde ebenfalls meine Analfissur im Krankenhaus untersucht, und es wurde gleichzeitig noch eine Analfistel festgestellt. Also ein Gang vom Darm bis zur Haut in der Nähe des Schließmuskel. Dieser war noch geschlossen und musste aufgrund einer Entzündung geöffnet werden. Seitdem habe ich nun zwei Ausgänge. Der eine durch den Schließmuskel verschlossen, der andere halt offen. Auch dies wurde als Nebenwirkung der Bestrahlung diagnostiziert. Ich kann seit circa drei Monaten nicht mehr sitzen. Mein Tag verbringe ich im Bett, liegend auf der Couch oder gehe spazieren.

Es ist nun folgendes geplant:
Im September bekomme ich meine Schilddrüse entfernt. Das ist wichtig, da die Schilddrüse schon bis ans Herz in den Brustkorb gewachsen ist.
Am 19. Oktober bekomme ich den Metallstent in den Harnleiter operiert.
Ab November fängt dann meine lange Reise zur Heilung der Fistel und Fissur an. Es sind mindestens erst mal drei Operationen geplant, da die Fistel wohl etwas weiter verzweigt ist.

Während der ganzen Zeit ist mein PSA Wert unter der Nachweisgrenze, also 0,03.
Die Nebenwirkungen des Hormonentzug sind bei mir leider enorm. Hitzewallungen aller circa 30 Minuten, Gedächtnislücken und ich fühle mich, als ob ich von Tag zu Tag dümmer werde. Meine Muskeln haben sich in Fett umgewandelt (Sport ist leider wegen der Strahlenschäden kaum möglich).

Wenn ich ein Jahr zurück reisen könnte, wüsste ich nicht, was ich machen würde. Eine Operation war ausgeschlossen weil der Krebs schon in die Samenblase gewachsen ist und bereits Metastasen gebildet hat. Im Grunde würde ich es vermutlich genauso machen, denn ich bin sehr froh, am Leben zu sein. Irgendwann wird alles heilen, die Schmerzen werden vergehen. Durchhalten ist angesagt.

Ich wünsche euch allen nur das Beste. Das Leben ist jeden Kampf wert!