Prostate Cancer

[Jim Brady]

I haven't been reading the post's because it doesn't concern me.However my drinking partner went off the scene about a month ago and he was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.He phoned me today as he was in the business of having a few pints.Had a few pints with him,he told me that he had an epidural a bit painful but then he was told that it was all over and never felt a thing!!!Has togo back next week they will try him without the catheta bag and hopefully he will just carry on as normal.I can see that it has knocked him for six I think the mention of the word the Big C is enough to upset anybody.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Richard Quartermaine]

Jim, I am not sure what type of catheter your mate will have but I had a Trans Urinary Reduction Procedure (TURP) and a Supra Pubic Catheter (SPC) was inserted into my bladder below the navel for the procedure and supposedly to be removed after the urethra was able to allow the flow to go normally.

The flow did not happen so for the last nearly four years I have had the catheter replaced every four weeks by the district nurse. The catheter can be attached to a bag or you can have a "Flip Flow' tap. For some time before the TURP the nights were broken up with repeated visits to the loo. I now hook up to a bottle at night and revel in luxurious all night in bed. In the day I just turn the tap on when I need to go (in the appropriate place, of course) - shear heaven!

I am not sure about the other catheter directly into the urethra. Anyway, tell your your mate that it is not all bad.

Richard

[happy daze john in oz]

I,m a 16 year survivor of radical prostatectomy,.......

Neville your outcome like mine was good. incontinece just about gone but there is movement at the station so I am not done for yet. But for a laugh, two days before the catheter was removed I was sitting watching TV when I got an enormous erection that only lated for about ten seconds. The apin was something I have never known before, but having a catheter in most likely was the cause. When i spoke to the nurse removing it he told me that was quite common, the nerves just doing their own thing.
But you do have a choice, have the Lady Macbeth option, or similar, or do nothing and maybe get extremley sick. No extra charge for your choice.

[happy daze john in oz]

Richard mate, until you have had one of those coming out of the end of it for three weeks you have no idea what it is like. The monster as I called it is the most obtrusive thing going. As the bag fills it drags down the leg and thta pulls on the catheter which in turn pulls on the old fella. Getting comfortable is almost impossible and sleeping is something thta just does not occur while it is there. Then they pull it out and for the first week you are frightened to go past the loo. But it does get better over time. The incontinence in most men last for up to three months. It will be six weeks next Tuesday since mine went and I am drying up fast.

[Richard Quartermaine]

SHUDDER!!! Thank goodness John, I drew the lucky straw.
Richard

[Gordon Turnbull]

My boobs are still growing and bloody sore. Radiotherapy when I get home as I said before to desensitize them. Not been offered a mastectomy yet though and hope I don't. No stirrings in the station as it was so eloquently put earlier though and no sign that there ever will be. Incontinence is definitely improving. I can hold a pee now, never could before, in fact there was no warning. Wet farts are also declining which is the real boost as far as I am concerned.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Gordon, sounds like things haven't been too good for you, but you made me laugh with your tongue in cheek humour. Guess white shorts are not order of the day yet. Keep smiling Regards Ivan

[Roger Dyer]

Hi Gordon,

In reference to your burgeoning 'bust', mate, I shouldn't get too concerned just yet. Because of an emphysema condition (and not my cancer) treatment demands that I'm on an inhaler (which has a steroid ingredient) every day for the rest of my life. After four years my 'boobs' grew slightly but there's still not enough to fill an A Cup. The Mrs reckoned she was going to buy me a training bra but I seem to manage O.K. without that, thank you very much. Mind you, I never wear a tight-fitting T-shirt. The idea of undergoing a mastectomy would definitely not appeal, sounds far too radical. Were I you, mate, if things continue to 'blossom' I think I'd settle for a nice little lacy number and take to wearing loose fitting tops. Hope this advice from a fellow cancer sufferer is of assistance to you. Keep smiling, mate, I wish you well.

.............Roger

[Richard Quartermaine]

This should be in 'Memories', I suppose. When we had a garage sale at Suva about fifty years ago some of the items were maternity bras. A then somewhat petite Margaret reckoned the highlight of the morning was when a couple of buxom Fijian ladies were squirming to squeeze themselves into the bras - and bought them!
Richard

[Roger Dyer]

Jeez, Richard, I do hope poor old Gordon doesn't have need of a maternity bra, even if they do come in lace.