Its been a tough 6 months or so, firstly being diagnosed with Diabetes and all the associated issues with that which I have now managed to get under control, I've even replaced 1 1/2 of the 3 + stones of weight that I lost as a result, and so life gets back to normal..............................or does it. :wacko: :wacko:
My late father and late uncle both suffered with Prostate cancer in their latter years, my old fella passing away in 1997 in his mid/late 80s, and my uncle a couple of years ago aged 91, which was a bloody good innings I'd say :yes:
Because of family history and as a result of an interview I heard on the radio some time ago I decided that it would be a sensible idea to get a PSA test conducted to check that all was well in the men's 'water works department'. I had experienced absolutely no prostate symptoms and didn't expect any problems resulting from the PSA test which was conducted about a month ago
OH HOW WRONG CAN YOU BE
The test showed and "elevated" result, and therefore led to further examination and biopsies, which confirmed the prostate score, confirmation by way of MRI scan and Bone Scan were necessary and these have again all been completed over the last month or so. Two weeks ago I was informed that I have been diagnosed with prostate Cancer.............
Now, I can tell you that it was literally a jaw dropping moment, which we've all seen acted out on t.V programes and the like, but to be faced with that scenario for real is a massive, massive shock and has shaken me to the core.
The purpose of this post is not to whinge about my situation, but it is to say to all of you fellas, (and girl) on here get your G.P to check you out, (I don't know about the practical aspects of the female requirements) but the PSA test is a simple blood test, which is conducted at you local G.P surgery, its totally painless, and vital to establish if 'things' are ok...SO GET IT DONE....PLEASE ! 'Prevention' being a better policy than 'cure'.
On a brighter note my score proved to be relatively low, which means that treatment is relatively straight forward, and in my case won't involve any surgery, but I will have to take daily medication in addition to which I'll need a Radiotherapy course which takes about 8 weeks and involves daily treatment at a specialist hospital, which I reckon is a small price to pay given the potential circumstances. A guarantee of cure can't be given, obviously, but the objective of the treatment for me is to cure this problem, which is realistically possible because I had the good sense to have a PSA test conducted.
Get yourselves checked as soon as possible and remember it is a fact that "more men die with prostate cancer than because of it"
:agree:
Sorry to hear your news OC but glad that you had the sense to get the test done and catch it in good time.
All the very best of luck mate.
Andrew
Hi Rog
Well its a bummer but at least your in a position to do something about it, in fact i may be as well, i work in the field of Medical Research and one of my best friends is a consultant Urologist (although in the states) and appears on Fox TV to give views and such like, if you ever want to know something or simply don't understand what the medics are saying PM me and i can ask, just for reference she is Dr Philippa Cheetham and her web site is here http://www.drcheetham.com
And yes, i do know her well.....
You have miles more riding in you yet.
Alan
OC ... Sorry to hear of your medical news ... My father, a 72 year old Consultant Gynaecologist non smoking non drinking all round life saving do gooder passed away many years ago as a result of PC .... The light at the end of the tunnel of course is that you have caught this very early and the medical world has stepped forward so much in the last few years that treatment and diagnosis is much stronger and far better than it was even a few years ago. Like you as a direct descendent of a PC patient my risk is far higher than Jo Average and I shall be 50 in October ..... They used to say it was a problem for "old men" but not any more so I shall be going to see my GP shortly to start what will be yearly blood tests ....
I am sure you are a strong chap OC and we will all be thinking of you and urging you on to make a full recovery. We are all with you. :yes:
- caught early , these things can be fought off.
- good luck !
.
Roger, very sorry to hear about your latest news but as you say early intervention is on your side.
Radiotherapy is no big deal compared to chemotherapy so you'll walk it. Good advice as well for all the older folk on here, :whistling:
Eeeek real sorry to hear that , and all on top of dietbetes , Im fortunate enough to not know anybody to come down with it "yet" but your post does and rightly so make you realise a check up is a good idea.
Keep us all informed of how things progress , and im sure in no time at all you will be giving the big :single fuck: to it
Quote from: Lonewolf on March 21, 2013, 11:51:54 AM
Roger, very sorry to hear about your latest news but as you say early intervention is on your side.
Radiotherapy is no big deal compared to chemotherapy so you'll walk it. Good advice as well for all the older folk on here, :whistling:
As one of the said older folk on here, I can only reiterate what Roger has said, dont wait until the thing is affecting your life, get the PSA test done early so that a check can be done on a regular basis, and an eye kept on the results. I'm sure that Rog will be fine, and will spend many more years sat on walls eating egg and bacon sarnies, talking a load of poo, and planning the next motorcycling adventure. :banana: :yes:
Roger, I can only echo what has already been said by others and yourself, fingers crossed for you.
On a similar note, a relative of mine got an 'invite' last year. It basically read ' please do a poo in this envelope and send it off to us for testing for any naughty cells.'
Well he did and it came back positive, he got took in for further tests and a scan, and as well as the bit up his backside,the scan found a lump the size of a tennis ball in his chest!!
So far he has had both operations and all is fine.
So to all us men [ and you Debs !] when you get a letter from your doctor, don't ignore it, and don't ignore ANY symptoms you may have.
Stay healthy.
Quote from: Lonewolf on March 21, 2013, 11:51:54 AM
Roger, very sorry to hear about your latest news but as you say early intervention is on your side.
Radiotherapy is no big deal compared to chemotherapy so you'll walk it. Good advice as well for all the older folk on here, :whistling:
Correct Steve, BUT.....I really wouldn't want anyone on here to incorrectly assume that PC only affects us old 'uns, cos it gets young 'uns too, so get the test done :yes:
Quote from: 100milesaway on March 21, 2013, 02:23:33 PM
As one of the said older folk on here, I can only reiterate what Roger has said, dont wait until the thing is affecting your life, get the PSA test done early so that a check can be done on a regular basis, and an eye kept on the results. I'm sure that Rog will be fine, and will spend many more years sat on walls eating egg and bacon sarnies, talking a load of poo, and planning the next motorcycling adventure. :banana: :yes:
Oh yesssss, you can count on that Geoff, and I reckon its your round too, sadly this weekend will be a no go as the forecast is truly crap...more snow, and plenty of it by all accounts.
[Hi Roger, sorry to hear you are going through the mill with some more problems. I know how you feel as I had all the symtoms & tests, some rather unpleasant, six months ago. I was lucky as the results for PC were negative but showed other blood problems resulting in more medication & monthly visits for tests at the Hospital.
Keep a positive outlook, 16yrs ago I had a heart attack (& told with luck I should have another 10yrs) & 15yrs ago a bycycle accident that resulted in some extensive injuries & told another bang on the head & your dead. I'm still here, still riding & looking forward to putting many more miles on the GTR. Best of luck & don't hesitate to take advantage of all the advancies the medical world have made over the years.
Trotters
Sorry to hear your news OC and glad you have been to see the doc.
I had a medical today to renew my LGV/PSV Licence.. All was ok.. I will need another medical for when I apply to move to Canada.
Women don't have a prostate gland so we can't get prostate cancer. I do always check in other places for lumps and I have never missed a doctors appointment.. :yes:
Speechless mate, but good luck and best wishes with thetreatment
Quote from: KeVstrom on March 21, 2013, 10:26:55 PM
Speechless mate, but good luck and best wishes with thetreatment
OC,
I think everyone above has pretty much said it all, good luck with the treatment, and i hope to meet you before too much longer for a cuppa, and to listen to you all talking pooh!!
All the best,
Clive
Hope you get better soon OC. I'll certainly be booking myself in for a test.
Quote from: Debs on March 21, 2013, 09:54:40 PM
Women don't have a prostate gland so we can't get prostate cancer. I do always check in other places for lumps and I have never missed a doctors appointment.. :yes:
I think some 'women' I have known may have had one :shocked:
Reminds me of when I was in hospital in 1990 with acute appendicitis.
I'm laid there in agony waiting for the consultant to get to me so I can get cut open and the damned thing removed.
So to take my mind off the pain I started chatting to the guy in the next bed, Pete.
Testicular Cancer in his 2nd testicle. The first was removed 2 years previously.
Now it had no effect on the pain I was in but it did change my outlook on what I was going through,... and the pain did seem to move down a little. :no: :cry:
The Consultant took one look at me and then screamed abuse at the Junior docs asking why I hadn't been operated on hours before.
Was knocked out and in surgery 45 mins later. Appendix was the size of a grapefruit by the time they got it out, but didn't rupture so no Peritonitis.
I kept in touch with Pete for several years. They removed his 2nd testicle and last I heard he was fit and healthy.
I used to work for a Radiotherapy company (Elekta) and if they catch it early enough the radio-oncology treatment for Prostates is highly effective.
You will lie very still on a moving table for 5 minutes once or twice per day whilst a big thing whizzes around and blasts your Prostate from several angles with high-energy X-rays.
After working there and regularly looking at MRIs and CTs of Prostate tumours I will now be getting a PSA every 5 years. My first was 2 years ago and all clear.
However,....I hope yer not planning on having more kids as there is a good chance yer danglies will glow in the dark after the treatment,.... if they don't drop off. :mfr_lol: :hammer: :yes:
"Danglies" that glow in the dark or drop off are small price to pay when you consider the rest of your life is in front of you.
Glad to hear Pete was ok.
OC ... we are all with you :yes: :yes: :yes:
Ner mind eh Rog, even if ya day glow danglies do drop off, ya will still be able to ride a motorbike. And ya gob will still work, so ya can eat bacon and egg sarnies, and cakes, and drink bucket fulls of tea, and then when ya mouth is empty ya can talk a load of poo for hours on end. And ya can do all that whilst balancing you totally unaffected arse on a wall. Magic :banana: :banana: :yes:
:mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: Geoff, you already know that I have no intention of letting it beat me cos I've still got lots of poo talking, dangly glowing, butty scoffing, tea supping and biking to take care of :yes:
Thanks for the inside info George, I appreciate that, as I wasn't quite sure about the therapy format, I've had several MRI scans so I'm not too bothered about passing through the tunnel of love again and again and ...................
As for more kids :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: oh no sir, I have two 30+ year old daughters which is all I need, the addition of a brat wouldn't be my idea of fun :no:
3 grown up daughters here.. So know exactly whay you mean :yes:
Best wishes for a speedy all-clear :cool:
2 daughter you say ......30+ you say....... :grin: ........they single by any chance :whistling:
Quote from: slane on March 22, 2013, 11:12:48 PM
2 daughter you say ......30+ you say....... :grin: ........they single by any chance :whistling:
Yeah, they're single........................................but choosy :mfr_lol:
Sorry Steve, only joking, they're both 'spoken for' mate :wink:
OC, Firstly echoing many of the comments already made, sorry to hear this news and I wish you a full recovery. Secondly, a very big thank you for being positive and for highlighting this to encourage us all to get checked. Brave indeed.
Well today was my last treatment in a 37 session, seven and a half week programme during which I've had to travel to Preston and back every weekday for the treatment which lasts about twenty minutes in total, and George (Boomers) description of how it works is fairly accurate, there's no pain but it has left me very, very tired especially after the return drive which is 110 miles.
The radiotherapy was 'complemented' by stomach implants (one a month) which are a bit painful but have substantial side effects, sadly one of which is not the growing of masses of thick, wavy cranial hair :mfr_lol:
However its all finished now (I hope) and I'll have to wait a month or so for the other side effects to go away and my system to resume back to normal.
Result :smiley:
Fight the good fight mate!
All the best.
OC ... everyone here is upset to hear of your poor health but there is no doubt you have a strong positive mental attitude to this episode in your life and we all wish you the very best for a long and decent recovery to good health. Keep it up mate. :yes: :yes:
Quote from: olde coney on August 28, 2013, 05:57:22 PM
The radiotherapy was 'complemented' by stomach implants (one a month) which are a bit painful but have substantial side effects, sadly one of which is not the growing of masses of thick, wavy cranial hair :mfr_lol:
Result :smiley:
What about masses of thick wavy ear hair ? :laugh:
Here's wishing you a speedy full recovery :yes:
Quote from: Bryn on August 29, 2013, 03:19:04 PM
What about masses of thick wavy ear hair ? :laugh:
Here's wishing you a speedy full recovery :yes:
Ermmmmm, I've been cultivating that for quite a while now... the nostril variety is coming on nicely too :mfr_lol:
:eek: OC I had no idea of your problems till I saw this.
My thoughts are with you, may your recovery be full and life be long
Charlie
PS joined the Type 2 club for my 40th and have not looked back since.................and no I'm not 41 :mfr_lol:
Glad to see you're on the mend Roger.
When will you go for the next MRI?
Hopefully you will get the all clear.
The 2nd method you described is called Brachytherapy and involves inserting radioactive pellets into the Prostate.
The radioactivity dies after a while but they recommend you steer clear of pregnant women, kids and anyone with Immune Deficiency of any kind.
As for the hair, at least you didn't have Chemo where it all drops out,.... oh wait,... :mfr_lol:
Quote from: Boomer on August 30, 2013, 12:20:12 PM
When will you go for the next MRI?
Hopefully you will get the all clear.
The 2nd method you described is called Brachytherapy and involves inserting radioactive pellets into the Prostate.
The radioactivity dies after a while but they recommend you steer clear of pregnant women, kids and anyone with Immune Deficiency of any kind.
As for the hair, at least you didn't have Chemo where it all drops out,.... oh wait,... :mfr_lol:
I'm waiting to hear from the Rosemere Cancer Centre at the Royal Preston Hospital about the follow up scans etc., I also hope that I'll be the happy recipient of an "all clear" message.
It does seem that the after effects of the treatment will be with me for as much as 6 months, after which time things should be back to normal.
Actually the stomach implants to which I referred are Zoladex which are basically a testosterone /hormone reduction treatment. It does have substantial and noticeable side effects which I am very much looking forward to getting rid of ! :taz:
My hair "all dropped out" some years ago :mfr_lol:
Roger, Tracey finished her chemo back in May and only in the last two weeks has her hair started to grow back. She's still suffering a few other side effects from the drugs but there is a light at the end of the tunnel now and she will be back to normal eventually.
Quote from: Lonewolf on August 31, 2013, 04:38:47 PM
Roger, Tracey finished her chemo back in May and only in the last two weeks has her hair started to grow back. She's still suffering a few other side effects from the drugs but there is a light at the end of the tunnel now and she will be back to normal eventually.
That's great news Steve, it must have been a tough journey for you both, its amazing how much toxin remains in your system even after the treatment has finished, and by comparison my Radiotherapy pales into insignificance with Traceys chemo treatment and resulting side/after effects.
I'm sure that as things continue to improve for Tracey that she will feel better day by day....best wishes for a continued speedy recovery
Here Here ..... :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: x
At the end of August I completed an intensive seven and a half week course of Radiotherapy. Yesterday I got my final test results.
Thank the lord my Gleason results which were 3 +4 = 7 at the start of the treatment have now dropped to 0.04 :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
I can't explain the feeling of relief, it was overwhelming.
BUT......... I still want to encourage all those on here 'of a certain age' to go to your G.P if you haven't already done so, and have a PSA test, this is a simple blood test and takes only a couple of minutes. My situation was caught in early stages and therefore treatable, I am so glad that I had the test done.
I'm aware that others have had to deal with much more invasive treatment for their condition and I would wish them all the speediest full recovery :yes:
That's good news OC. My GP insisted (almost) on a full range of blood tests when I turned 60. All was clear but did give a good set of base figures to compare against in the future.
i think she called it a "wellman" set of tests and I would encourage anyone of that age to get something similar. Apparently they don't often offer it unless asked. I was lucky in that my GP was also a customer of mine so she offered it to me