Prostate Cancer

Hi John
not much else I can say its all been said.
The very best of luck for the future and most of all don't lose your sense of humour, it's brilliant :D
Best wishes to you and your family.

Many thanks for telling us , Roger.
Some Doctors here are reluctant to give a PSA test, I had a problem trying to get one last November during my annual check up. Asian voiice on the phone from the Doctors Surgery, "Why you want one, you dont need it ,you are 77 years old."
I told the lady who was doing the blood tests for Liver and Kidney function tests to add the PSA , she said no problem so I had one and it was OK. So dont take any crap off a Doctor.
My PSA test showed,.....2.2
Cheers
Brian.

Thanks for your post John and I wish you a complete and full recovery from one prostate cancer sufferer to another. I was diagnosed with it about three years ago. I go to Greece on holiday every year and meet up with good friends who like us go every year. One friend, Tony, noticed that I was going for a slash quite a lot during the course of a drinking session and asked me if I had any prostate troubles. I didn't even know what a prostate was and he explained that he had prostate cancer but it was under control and advised me to go to for a PSA blood test when I got home.

I went for the test and the reading was 16. My doctor gave me the finger treatment and referred me to the hospital for urology tests and a biopsy. I won't explain the biopsy as Roger Dyer has done it for me, very eloquently if I may say. They took six samples and the outcome was that they were cancerous, there is a scale of severity called the Gleason scale which goes from 1 to 10 and I was at number 8. I was devastated to say the least.

I was referred to a lovely lady consultant, Dr. Mithal, who gave me all the alternative treatments. One was radiotherapy, which I didn't fancy, and the other was hormone treatment which I preferred. I started the hormone treatment which was an implant in the stomach every month. I saw her again after six months and my PSA test was down to 0.1 . She was well pleased with that, as I was, and said she didn't want to see me again unless the reading got up to 4.

I have the implant every three months now and the blood test in between, it has been at 0.1 for two years now. The treatment meant that I lost all my body hair but kept it on my head. It does make you impotent but at 79 this year I ain't much bothered. I still go to the toilet frequently if I have been drinking but apart from that I am OK except for Arthritic knees.

My friend Tony, who advised me to go for the PSA test, has passed away now but not from the cancer. If he hadn't mentioned it I would probably have never gone for the test and might not have been here now.

Alec.

Members may be interested to know that there is a relatively modern technique for treating some prostate cancers that has a good track record. It is called "Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy” or RALP. There is information about it HERE for anyone interested. I would think it is only available as privately funded treatment though.

Rex Cooper who some of you may know is raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK to help fund seeking better treatments and, if you feel so inclined, you could contribute to his fund-raising efforts HERE.

Five years ago I started pee-ing Ribena and went for a check-up to my doctor who referred me to a specialist three weeks later. He decided the problem lay with my kidneys, bladder or prostate and sent me for a series of tests ending with a check cystoscopy for a bladder inspection. I then was told I had bladder cancer.
Like the previous chaps I was stunned and confused, especially when they gave me the contact for the Macmillan Nurse ( cancer trauma councilling here in the UK ).
It was explained that this cancer was a three stage risk. There are basically three layers in the bladder wall and it depended how far it had progressed as to what the treatment would be. First layer... curable. second.... surgery, third layer...... finished with engines, possible permanent bag, bladder removed.
I waited a further two mentally agonising weeks to get into the cancer ward at Blackburn where they carried out a " excision" working through my plonker with all manner of tools and thanks to an epidural I felt nothing.
I had a week on the ward with a tank cleaning system inserted and was sent home with a catheter for further week followed by six weeks of chemo.
To cut the story short I have been fine since and go for bladder inspection once a year by a wonderful nurse who shares a joke while she peers into the endoscope. Touch wood, I am still in the clear and living normally for a 74 yr old, deaf in the Starboard ear, poor vision in Port eye and a metal knee ( Port side ) courtesy Wrightington Hospital.
What a life !
Kevin

Eh, Ivan Whistle my dog my lips are to thick.get well soon Mate! heres to a quick recovery.

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Originally Posted by Tony Morcom

John, it is your courage and thoughtfulness in sharing your story that inspired me to create this new sub~forum called "Aches and Pains". Hopefully others will be encouraged by your story and maybe share theirs as well. One thing is certain and that's none of us are getting any younger and I guess most of us have the fear of something nasty creeping up on us but stories like yours may just help to alleviate those fears and persuade members to do the right thing if and when symptoms arise.

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Tony, we are none of us gettng anu younger, aches and pains prevail. But with so mnay cases there is often a cure if found soon enough, that was one of my main reasons for posting. If only one person beifits from my contribution then i will know it was not in vain.

Well lads Roger and others have like I suffered the same fate. Funy thing Cancer, no one knows how they wil react when told they have it. I guess most of us have lost family and friends to it so when we are told we have it there is a degree of uncertainty. A very good friend of mine here was diognosed late last year and had the Robotic surgery, but that is not readilt available as there is a shortage of surgeons capable of doing it.
But for all the portayed horrors of the disease one of the best ways to deal with it is by knowing people like your good selfs. Talking with other sufferers, particularly those who have the same type as yourself is one of the best therapies going. So never be afraid to talk of your experiences, it may just help another poor guy to cope. And what ever you do never loose your sense of humour, a good laugh, once the stitches have gone, is one of the best therapies there is.

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Originally Posted by Roger DYER

Hi John (Happy Daze),

I wondered where you'd got to - you old b--t--d. Mate, I feel sure you will come through your present set-back with flying colours, knowing you possess that most important ingredient of any recovery to good health - a sense of humour. As others have already done, I would like to offer my thanks to you for starting this thread. With the added imput of the other lads, it serves as a timely medical reminder to all our members. As a fellow cancer sufferer like yourself and Richard, I feel qualified to add my own two-bobsworth, so for those of you who haven't already done so (especially the over 50's) please give it serious thought, it could save a life - your own !

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

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Here is a lighter side. Roger, you completed your radiation at Nepean Cancer Clinic in October, 2009 and mine started there on 3rd November, 2009. attached are photographs of those wonderful radiologists and my zapmates and you might well know most of the staff. As time went by we all became friends and as Christmas approached the Christmas spirit got under way. 'Zapee' Tony had all the attire for Santa as he did rounds for the kids at the stores and parties. A token Christmas party was arranged and as we all sat around in our blue cotton pants awaiting our turn there was a loud clanging of a bell coming in the front door, past the chemo waiting room on the left and down to our section. It was Tony, ex RAN (and proud owner of a large tatoo across his buttocks) all dressed up as Santa. It was hillarious and as he passed the non-prostate cancer patients glum looks turned to grins and laughter.

It is four weeks to my next six monthly apointment with Dr Viet Do (who our little group nominated, unsuccessfully, Australian of the year) at his Katoomba clinic and I will have a PSA blood test in a couple of weeks for that visit. I am lucky to have him on my side.

In the photograph are patients Aldo, originally from the Philippines, Salvatore, from Sicily with his wife Maria, Clive and his wife Debbie, me and of course Santa Tony. Hope you enjoy refreshing your memories of the kindnesses of all involved.

RichardAttachment 12190Attachment 12191Attachment 12192Attachment 12188Attachment 12189

John, I was diagnosed with an enlarged prostrate 2 years ago, and the doc, (not our doc) hinted that sometimes this can lead to something nasty, but not to worry too much. The first rectal examination I had, the doc told me to bend over, I felt his hand on my shoulder, and something invading my disposal passage. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror, AND HE HAD BOTH HANDS ON MY SHOULDERS.. Only joking of course
John, I absolutely admire the way you can treat this complaint with such brevado and to turn it into a masterpiece of hilarity. I have read it 3 times this morning.
I only hope that you can have successful treatment and live a long and happy life, and, if anything like that ever happens to me, may I have the courage to face it like you have
I'm not religious John, but I hope that the GUY UP THERE will spare you.
Very best wishes and highest regards
Colin.