Prostate Cancer

[happy daze john in oz]

Some of you may be wondering where I have been for the last week or so. No not on a cruise worse luck, but I did get a break of sorts.
Read the following and all will become clear. Hopefully some of you may find it interesting, so read on.......................




About 12 years ago I began to have annual blood screening tests, Cholesterol, liver/kidney function PSA (prostate specific antigen)levels and others. All have remained stable and are at excellent levels for some one of my ages, that is a 16 year old with almost 54 years experience. I take no medication of any sort, have perfect blood pressure of 120/78 and am fit. Had I not been having such tests I would never have considered that there was anything wrong with me, such is the nature of the condition, it shows no early symptoms.

Around 3 years ago my PSA levels began to rise, from a base level of 3, which is of no consequence under normal circumstances, to a final level of 4.5 last November. But even this level is not dangerous on it’s own,it is the steady rise that indicates a possible problem. My GP gave me a referral to see a Urologist who would conduct some simple tests. I saw him in mid December and he conducted a ‘Rectum digital’ inspection. The greater majority of Australian men will not go for PSA testing saying, ‘no one is going to put their finger up my bum’, yet that only comes after sometimes many years of blood testing, but then we are a very homophobic lot here.

The Urologist toldme I was a ‘bit hard’ on the left side, now I know why those lovely UCL, BlueStar and P&O lads liked it so much. After he had finished poking me I asked him if that meant we were engaged, he just smiled, such lovely white teeth I considered. He then informed me he would request an autopsy of my prostate and if any Cancer was found he might recommend some radiotherapy. I later received a letter to inform me of this process for January 24^th.

For those of you who have never had a biopsy of the Prostate,let me tell you it is nothing more than a pain in the butt. No general anaesthetic for this just a general muscle relaxant. A probe is inserted up the exhaust to which there is a set of miniature bolt cutters fitted at the end.With these they snip away and you feel each of the ten samples taken. A simple biopsy, or so they say.

I then received an invitation to see a Urologist/Oncologist specialist on February 4^th at the newly opened Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness centre. There I met with an Oncologist and a Prostate Cancer Specific Nurse, couple of nice guys who made us feel at home. He then went on to say that of the ten samples four showed signs of Cancer.

Even though I had a suspicion this would be the case,knowing how my PSA levels had risen over time, I still did not like to hear the words, ‘You Have Cancer”
Terri, my wife, went into shock and I will never forget thel ook of horror on her face, but having lost two brothers and her only sister to it I could well understand.
Once over that it was then the question of treatment. RadioTherapy had been suggested by the first Urologist but now the thoughts of it,could it mean listening to repeats of ‘Mrs Dale’s Diary or interviews withJimmy Swivell’? Thankfully that is not the case, rather carefully directed XRays, five days a week for six weeks. This proceeded by a course of hormone injections. The alternative was the ‘Lady MacBeth’ system, ‘Out, Out damned spot’.

I then consulted with a couple of guys I know who have had a similar problem in varying forms, also a long talk with my GP who strongly advised against the radio therapy.
It can lead to severe scarring on the bowel leading to other problems, also if the radio therapy does not work you are up 5h1t creek without a paddle as an operation to remove the Prostate is then not possible because of all the scarring.
I then had to go for a bone scan; this involves having some Radio Active serum injected in to the blood and waiting five hours. Then the scan begins, brain first, nothing found there, then full body. The following day February 27^th I had to attend with a specialist and the ProstateCancer Specific Nurse who had been there the day I had been told I had this bloody thing.
His first words, ‘ I am the ‘Plumber’, I see you broke your right leg’!
News to me I told him, I have no pain or discomfort so howcome it is broken as you say.
‘You have in the last six months or so cracked a bone near the knee but it is healing OK, if you have no pain then it is not a concern’.
No doubt, as I told him, a result of me falling off the roof of my house back in September. I had slipped, rolled banging my knee on the gutter, before landing safely on the Pergola.
‘What where you doing on the roof’ he asked?
At that point in time, falling off, I replied!
We then went on to discuss treatment for the ProstateCancer, Radio Therapy I informed him was not for me and he agreed. We then discussed the theory of an operation instead. As I had a Hernia repair back in1965 keyhole surgery mat not be an option he informed me, the system used back then involved the placement of a nylon gauze across the inside of the wound and very often a large piece. So the only option, ‘open cut mining’.

Monday March 4^th at 0630 hours I reported to the hospital for surgery, by 0830 hours I was on the table. Simok Segusta, what a wonderful English name, conducted the operation, having come all the way from India to do it. According to the nursing staff he is one of the top three surgeons in Victoria who conduct this one, I was in very good hands.

I awoke a few hours later back in the ward, here in Oz public hospitals have no more than four to a ward each bed capable of being screened by curtains if required. Then began three days of intensive care from a very dedicated staff. During the day two full time nurses and a nurses aide, two general support staff, whilst at night one nurse and one nursing aide. For the first two days two hourly checks on blood pressure, pulse, temperature,then down to four hourly by the Wednesday noon. Fantastic general care, good food, including fresh fruit supply, and a mountain of pills. The self administered Morphine drip gives great pain relief for the first two days, but it also caused one to hallucinate.

Thursday 1100 hours I was sent home with a mountain of pill sand various drugs, as well as 25 injections which I have to self-administer daily. By the end of all of this I may qualify for a medical degree, who knows.I am also stuck for three weeks with a Catheter and a leg bag. But it does have an advantage , when out walking and I need to empty the bag, simple, just find a tree or lamppost, cock my leg open the tap, scratch at the ground with my foot and move on. This will be removed on March 26^th, and a further meeting with the specialist on 17^th April. I am not fully out of the woods yet, two Lymph nodes were removed to see of it had spread or was contained
Though the general opinion is it was contained, as the surgeon told me, ‘It was a very clean operation with no complexities’ The cut is very small indeed.

You may well be wondering why I am posting this, and as some have indicated why I have taken a somewhat light- hearted approach to it all.
Firstly I am not looking for sympathy, anything but, however understanding of the situation is appreciated.

All of us approach such an incident in life in our own way,none of us will react the same. For me the easiest way is the ‘Sinatra Way’,that is to accept the fact I have Cancer, to carry on as normal as is possible,put it to the back of my mind and not dwell on it. There are far worse cases than mine. I am dealing with it My Way.

Secondly and most important, I post this in the hope that I may encourage some, those who do not do so already and are under the age of 75,to go for annual PSA blood screening tests, it may just save your life.
Recent figures here in Oz show that we have the highestsurvival rate, 80%, of persons diagnosed with Prostate or Breast Cancer. This a direct result of survivors having had regular checks done. Most Cancers if found early can be cured.
So please, encourage all your family and close friends to have regular checks, it is only a few minutes a year, but as I now know well worth it.

One further point, through this I have come to realise that even though the patient suffers, it is the family and close friends who also suffer, it is they who do all the heavy lifting at this time. Where I not so lucky as to have the wife, family and friends I do things may have been far worse.

[j.sabourn]

John we all have our various problems with advancing age and have different outlooks on same. I class my self lucky to have reached what I considered ancient when I was 46, 30 years ago, so still try and think of myself as 46. Various what I suppose as scares over the years, heart attacks and growths taken off voice box etc. all part of living I suppose. Was surprised that there was no cancer on voice box as was a very heavy smoker at one time, and have known people with cancer in same place who have never smoked in their lives. People of our era did not lead a very sheltered life and abused our bodies more so than they do nowadays, I was never a health freak and never considered jogging around was more happy sitting with a pint. I have no wish to change my life style which my wife has always tried to do for me, however she is a non winner in this case. I have no doubt you will get over this hiccup and enjoy life the best way you know of doing so. All the best in your recuperation. Best Regards John Sabourn

[Keith Moody]

Thank you for sharing this with us, some of the people our age 70-80. sometimes feel a little scared to go to a doctor if they are experiancing a problem, but my advice to you all would be "GO SEEM HIM " this is not the 1800`s, they are now working or solving all sorts of illnesses that we have not even heard of.
when i was on the Arcadia back in the 1950`s and laying off Palma, I developed a pain in the lower stomach, I put up with it overnight by helping out in the bakery then next morning after breakfast i visited the hospital on board, the Doc put me straight into the ward and later that day took out my appendects. I spent the rest of the cruise out in the after deck recuperating, they did say if i had left it any longer it would have burst,
what i am trying to get accross is the same as John , "IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, GO AND GET IT SORTED OUT" i myselfe will be off to the hospital on the 11 april 13. to have a 2nd knee replacement, caused i am sure with all that walking on the ships and staggering home from the bars.
keith moody
R635978

[Doc Vernon]

Hello John
Well must say i am pleased to hear that you are back in the land of the living (figure of speech mate) and i am sure that it was a big shock to both you and Terri when this was revealed to you!
Anyway at least the crisis is over (pray the Lord) and now once again you can get on with your life,and i am sure enjoy it to the full!
As said here we of certain ages are a bit wary of going to see the old Quack,but as you mention it is for the best,and i am sure a lot after reading your plight will possibly now rethink of visiting their locals! Me included mate! I am one that never goes to the Doctor,and may have to seriously think about it !
At this stage i am quite fit too for my age,and besides little niggles,nothing to really be worried about,thank the Lord!

Yes i suppose each of us at one stage or the other may get something amiss with us,but then again that's life i suppose,and we must just learn that these sort of things happen to the fittest as well,not only the sickly !

But John my friend both Irene and myself are over the Moon that all seems to be AOK now!
You just take care of yourself now,and be good haha! As if i hear him say! LOL!

All the very best for the future mate!
Now 'Back on the Wall" haha!
Cheers
Vernon and Irene

[Richard Quartermaine]

John, you have been through the mill and it looks like you have had excellent advice. Perhaps I can give you some assurances.

Briefly, in early 2008 I was diagnosed (Oh yes, the gadget that snips little bits off) with Gleeson scale 9 (out of 10) agressiveness with a PSA of 20.00 and all 12 bites were cancerous. The bone scan was clear. The urologist gave me all the options and it was decided that I would go on 'watchful waiting'. Later that year I was so distressed with the desire but inability to have a good widdle that I went back to the urologist who arranged hospitalisation for a TURP. This meant inserting a laser cutter and shaving some of the cancerous matter to open up the urethera. At this time A supra pubic catheter was stuck in my into my bladder just below the navel. The bladder however, had through much stretching lost its elasticity and since then every four weeks I have the catheter replaced at the local district nurses health centre. (I sleep like a baby, don't have to crawl out of bed every hour or for a piddle; just turn off the tap to the bedside drainage bottle in the morning and check the list my Margaret has for me to fix around the house.)

A year later I asked myself "what is my future?' I wasn't going to just hang around watching and waiting. So the urologist suggested I was too old at 78 to have the prostate surgically removed and hormone treatment and radiation were options, so he referred me to the Cancer Care Centre at the Nepean Hospital. A chat with the oncologist and we arrived at a five day a week for 7 weeks radiation which I started at the beginning of November, 2009 with four quarterley injections of the hormone treatment (Lucrin). My PSA came down to 0.01 and apart for hot flushes from about half way through the year for about six months (not nine!!!) life went on. Every six months now I have a PSA check and am due for one in five weeks. The last reading last October was 0.3 and in the "Not to Worry" zone. (I do hear that there is now a radiation treatment which pin points the cancer without damaging the surrounding tissue.)

One year ago I had a number of haemorhages from the radiation which just about finished me off but that was not to be, for I had a brilliant gastronomist who cauteraused the ulcer. This is all referred to in posts this time last year when Vernon in his usual care and kindness gave the alert to my condition. Over the past year I have become very well and active for my age of 82, eat sensibly and do not feel uneasy about the future.

So John, you are in obviously in good hands, medical science is rapidly progressing and like me you have too may tales to tell and cheek to give to do anything less than enjoy life, friends and family.

And with that - CHEERS,
Richard

[Glenn Baker]

Good on you John glad you got through it.
I had a massive Heart attack twelve months ago and was flown from Dimboola in Western Victoria to Essendon and then Ambulance to Box hill Hospital and they were absolutely marvellous to me, thay actually told me that if the same thing had happened in the early 1980,s i wouldnt be here.

I consider after abusing my body all those years at sea and in every port of the World I am the most luckiest man to still be here and even luckier to be in Australia where the care of the Para Ambulance people up Country kept me alive, and the Intensive Nurse on the Air Ambulance did the same until i arrived at the Box hill hospital.

Im glad i dont live in Pakistan or India or many other places and so thankful that our system in Australia kept me alive double quick I might add.
I dont paint houses any more I paint pictures of the ships I sailed on, its good therapy oils and accrylics.
go for a walk every nite, and our local Amboos just live down the road from me and they are forever in my Debt.

Dont ever ever let any state Govt cut your medical services, that is more important than money.

all the best John . Glenn up in the Wimmera ex KG-5

[Tony Morcom]

Very pleased to hear that you are on the mend John and its good to see you back with us. Funnily enough Olivia Newton John was on the telly over here the other night talking about that very hospital and the 10 years it has taken for her to set it all up.Take care my friend and sincere regards to your "administering angel" Terri.

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates. hi happy john in oz, I did not expect this? The way you posted to inform us, I thought you were on a pay out of some type i.e The Aussie lotto a big winner or a windfall from some one very rich , I was going to put the bite on you for a few bob. as I cant afford my lifestlye the cost of double rum keeps going up, and my old shipmate Laurie 87yrs drinks like a fish !!! he has a health probelm on your lines!!! for the last 8 years he had a blood transfusion 2 pints every 3 weeks, had half his ear off, on head two ops, fore head in the middle , both hand carpel tunnel , heart, lung, and a few more odds and sods, he due to have two more ops soon on waiting list. You seem to have much better treatment in oz When I had my rectum exam like yourself I had my done in local doctors in the U.K. when your over 60 you get a present from the N.H.S. a kit to sample your stools, for blood e.t.c if nothing no contact by them, I was lucky, my wife was not but after two ops she is now well. so I understand what you and your family have experiance so get well soon shipmate!!! louis

[Captain Kong]

Welcome back John.
Many thanks to you and Richard, for sharing your `problem` with us, just hope it can kick start anyone who reads it to have a regular check up. It is a scary situation to be in. Lets hope that is the last of it.
I have had regular annual checks every year for the last 15 years. Last year I had a phone call from my medical centre, with an Asian voice, "Why you want a PSA test? we dont do them anymore", I insisted I wanted one, He, "It doesnt show that there is cancer so we do not do it now" I saw the Phloebotomist from the hospital and told her that as well as ALL the usual blood tests that I wanted a PSA test, she just said OK no probs and I had another one. I am 78 in a few weeks.
It was OK. so I felt a lot better.
I was told that Medical Centres, or Doctors Surgerys have an annual budget from the NHS.
Every time a patient requests anything or a referral to see a Consultant or treatment it all comes out of his budget, so they do not like you to request anything just to save money.
I returned from Hawaii two and a half weeks ago, the Surgeon told me to have a CT Scan on my Pancreas when I arrived home.
I have been trying all this time to get an appointment at the hospital. The Hospital insists that I get a referral from my Doctor, The medical Centre has put every obstacle in the way for me. even tho` I am in constant pain, I still have not got an appointment. I have an appointment tomorrow, Wednesday, to see the Senior Doctor at the Practice. To see if I can convince him that I need the CT Scan. I have given them a copy of the Surgeons report, but doesnt seem to mean a thing.
You have to keep pushing or they will talk you out of it just to save them money.
I called a Private Hospital, how much is a CT Scan??? they said £1,000.
I have paid NI Stamp for 50 years and stil pay Taxes after 63 years, so I have paid my dues.
Illegals walk in and get instant attention free.
Good man for telling us John.
All the best
Cheers
Brian.

[Captain Kong]

Having the digit test is OK as long as He does not put both hands on your shoulders.
.
.
Last night on UKs Channel 4, Embarrassing Bodies prog. it showed a man having an operation for the removal of a Cancerous Prostate. The operation was very similar to the one I have just had in Honolulu, Laporoscopy They go in through the Navel and two or three other places, the stomach is filled with gas to expand it and make room for the instruments to cut away the Prostate, it falls into a net then pulled out through the belly button. The Surgeon was in another room and does it all on a TV screen. They said the Surgeon can do the operation from any where in the world,, thousands of miles from the patient. magic.
The patient said he felt good. and after six months he would be back to a normal lifestyle..
Cheers
Brian.