I heard much about prostate cancer.  The change in my life was gradual, getting up in the night to go to the toilet.  I thought it was normal with age.  When my annual BP meeting came up with the GP, I asked the nurse if it would be a good idea to do a PSA.  I explained the issues.  But they did not do a PSA screening.  I queried why they didn’t.  They didn't really reply other than a presumed oversight.  They said come and have another test and we will do it.  24 hours later I got a phone call and was asked to come into the surgery the next day.  I went in for a chat with the GP and said the PSA was very high .. 34.  We talked about it and he said he recommended going to Chesterfield because they had a good track record for fast tracking the diagnosis process.  That was arranged within a very short timescale.  I spoke with their consultant and they arranged for an MRI scan and a bone scan.  They said there appeared to be a problem and was scheduled to have a biopsy.  The biopsy came back and they explained the situation.  They told me the options and would recommend going for radiotherapy with a view to cure.  They explained the normal process was to start on hormone treatment which would last 2 years and I would expect after 6 months I would be put forward for radiotherapy.  After 6 months I went for another consultation and to agree the next process.  That consultation they offered me a place on 2 trials .. a 5 day treatment instead of 20 days .. and a rectal spacer.  I declined the 5 day and accepted the rectal spacer.  That conversation happened when I started the hormone treatment.  I didn’t start the hormone treatment until Easter.  I went back to the GP when it was 3-4 months before I heard anything.  I phone Chesterfield and they said don’t worry.  Eventually I got the appointment to talk with the people at Chesterfield.  They gave me the injection kit to have the GP do the injection.  I have no complaints whatsoever … with my experience with the GP or Chesterfield as well as Weston Park in Sheffield.  I should have started my radiation in Oct/Nov.  I queried about the rectal spacer.  There was a miscommunication between Sheffield & Chesterfield about the rectal spacer.  I wanted to continue with the rectal spacer so that pushed back my radiation time.  I started my radiotherapy at Weston Park early January and I have no complaints whatsoever about the system or the facility.  I felt that I was heard by my GP, despite the miscommunication.  There was a delay in my treatment because Weston Park was not told of my rectal spacer.  I was asked if I wanted to submit a formal complaint.  But I declined as viewed it part of being human.

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