The results

A lot has happened in the last week or so. I was called back to the hospital to undergo a MRI scan and for xrays because the bone scan had revealed "hot spots" which needed further investigation. This happened last Thursday and although noisy was no problem at all.
Later that day I spoke with my "keyworker" who advised that my case was to be reviewed on Monday and that she would call me afterwards to let me know how things stood.
I spent a restless weekend not knowing if my cancer had spread outside the prostate or whether it remained localised. Having been told that "hotspots" on my spine had been revealed and having only been referred because of my back ache I was not feeling too optimistic, but determined to make the best of whatever I had left.
As you can imagine those around me were also feeling the pressure. We tried to keep busy and not dwell on Monday but when it dawned I found myself reluctant to be more than a few yards from the phone.
The morning came and went. No call. By 3.30 I was convinced I had mis-understood what I had been told so called the hospital. My keyworker was not available and her colleague informed me that yes my case had been reviewed but that the meeting had over-run and my keyworker had had to go straight into a clinic. She had my notes with her, and would call me as soon as she returned to her desk. So again I waited but fortunately not for too long.
The phone rang. It was someone trying to sell me advertising. I am not normally rude but they did not get too far. Then it rang again and this time it was Sally, my keyworker.
With my heart pumping I listened to what she told me. That my cancer had NOT spread and was confined to just my prostate. The pains in my back must be caused by arthritis, which won't kill me.
The next step is to decide which treatment I will be given. I may be offered a prostatectomy, surgery to remove the prostate, but am on the cusp of whether this is possible due to my high Gleeson score, PSA level and age. This is a major operation, with significant side effects but has a good chance of complete success. The alternative is radiotherapy, or which there are a number of types possible, directly to the prostate. This also should produce a good result, but also has a number of side effects.
Nothing is guaranteed and these procedures could still only delay the spread, but they are more likely to remove it completely, leaving me with a normal life expectancy but permanent side effects. Neither is an easy option but both are one hell of a lot better than being told the only treatment I could be offered was palliative, which until 4 pm yesterday I felt in my heart was what I would be told.
You cannot imagine the relief I felt. I had no idea until I was told that I had so much stress in me and it came pouring out, quite a lot of it from my eyes! If Sally had been there I would have kissed her, although Connie was actually holding on pretty tight so might have stopped me.
My file is now going to Addenbrookes in Cambridge, where the surgery would take place, for them to decide if I am suitable. They have a review meeting next Monday, when I will also meet with the oncologist to discuss the radiotherapy option.
I have been asked to stop the hormone therapy I had started, as this is not a good idea for one of the treatments. Whatever is decided the process will last for many months, both to prepare me and then to follow up afterwards.
Whether we can complete the business sale, find somewhere else to live and visit our new house in Cebu during this time remains an open question that I am only now beginning to turn my mind onto.
Over-all though it was really good news and relief all round.
A final word about the much maligned NHS. For me this is a national treasure we should all be proud of. They have acted quickly and efficiently and a with good humour. I loath the tick box, target setting attitude found in so much of the public service these days and just wish that these professionals, who are genuinely devoted to their calling, were left alone to do their jobs and not distracted by having to meet arbitarily set objectives. Rant over.