Prostate

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dawallace45
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Joined: Fri Aug 13, 2004 7:16 pm
Location: Miriam Vale Queensland Australia

Prostate

#1 Post by dawallace45 » Sat Oct 30, 2010 12:58 pm

A good mate of mine has been going through Prostate cancer and for some time didn't tell any one except a few close friends ,he has recently started to talk about it openly in the hope it will encourage men to get the examination , I'd like you to read the following email he wrote to every one he knows , he has given permission to pass it on freely , since the age group of the forum is pretty much the danger zone I thought it a good place to post it , mates name is Mick ,


David




Hi
I have prostate cancer and need to pass on an important message -

If you are male and over 40 or have a loved one in this age group, I hope you take the time to read this message to learn from my experience. It may save the life of a Brother, Father or Son.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2009 and had surgery (radical prostatectomy) 8 weeks later. Almost a year has passed, some cancer is still in me and I'm battling on. I will soon start radiation therapy.

I went to the doctor for a routine checkup in June 2009 and simply asked for blood tests to include a PSA check (prostate cancer blood test). The GP was reluctant to order the PSA test as he didn't consider it necessary. I insisted, because I had seen an interview on TV regarding prostate cancer, and thought I should have it checked.

The doctor contacted me a few days later and asked me to come in to discuss the test results. My heart skipped a beat. The PSA level was high but the doctor told me not to worry, as only 1 in 1000 men in my age group (40-50) get prostate cancer.

I was not considered to be in a high risk category. There is no history of prostate cancer in my family, nor did I have any symptoms, but, the PSA test result came back above the normal range. I was treated for a month for suspected prostatitis (prostate infection) - a process of elimination of another cause of an elevated PSA level. Unfortunately my PSA level continued to rise.

I was later referred to a urologist and had a biopsy within a week of that appointment. Two days after the biopsy the urologist called me at home on a Friday night, and said that I had prostate cancer. He spoke for about five minutes but I can't remember anything he said other than, "Sorry but you have prostate cancer". I was stunned; the whole world was spinning, Would I die? What about the kids? I thought I was prepared to hear a result either way, but I was shell shocked. I cried, the world had instantly changed for me.

The future I had imagined was thrown into doubt. Would I see my kids grow up and start their own families? Would I hold my Grandchildren one day? Would I reach retirement age and travel the world?

I was in the urologist's office on the following Monday morning to discuss my options. More (staging) tests followed; CT scans and bone scans to see if the cancer had spread. The radiologist who did the bone scan said "Wow, 45, you're a bit too young to be seeing me!". I heard that a lot. People consider prostate cancer to be an old man's disease, but it isn't.

I didn't sleep or eat well for weeks. Waiting for ongoing test results and specialist appointments seemed to take forever. I couldn't concentrate at work. I only told a few close friends. I read everything I could find on the Internet relating to prostate cancer while constantly worrying. I made a new will & EPOA. It was emotionally draining. I used to lie awake at night staring at the ceiling worrying about the future... 'The kids are still at school. (Nick 14 & Steffy 13). What if I don't get through this?'

I had robotic surgery to remove the prostate gland in November 09. Four days later the surgeon came to see me with a histology report (pathology report from the operation). He believed that they had got it all. The prostate gland had been removed and there was no sign of cancer in the surrounding tissue. I was expected to be OK. It was over. I sobbed for half an hour. Thank God it was over.

I took six weeks leave from work to convalesce. The physical recovery was painful and the subsequent incontinence & impotence very distressing. My body will never be the same. I felt humbled by the generosity and support I received from my family & friends. It's something I will never forget. My son Nick and I have a very special bond. He helped nurse his Dad; made my lunch everyday before making his own for school. He has grown up too quickly and understands his risk of cancer. I'm worried for him.

In February 2010 I went back to the Urologist for a checkup, expecting to be given the "All Clear". Something was wrong, the PSA was detectable. It has been bouncing up and down since, indicating that there is still cancer there somewhere. "Oh no, not again". Emotionally I hit rock bottom and have been receiving treatment for depression. I recently met with a radiation oncologist to plan 6 1/2 weeks of salvage radiation therapy. I should have had that first PSA test sooner.

I guess you get the message, I have suffered and wouldn't want anyone to go down this road. Sadly, the people I love have also shared the grief. It could happen to anyone, but IT CAN BE AVOIDED. If I had been having regular PSA tests since age 40 I would probably be OK now. My partner & kids shouldn't be worrying about my next test result and further treatment, they should be enjoying life. I often feel guilty that I have caused them grief that could have been avoided, had I been more diligent with my health checks.

Sadly, many men die unnecessarily because they're not aware of the risks, or are put off by the idea of a digital rectal examination. Yeah, It's undignified and a bit uncomfortable, but it can save your life. Men are often too proud to consider health checks, or put health on the back burner as a low priority. Generally women seem to have breast screening and pap smears as a normal routine. Why don't men consider regular prostate tests?

Before my cancer diagnosis, I hadn't had a physical prostate exam for over two years because I didn't like the previous experience with Dr Banana fingers up the street. I should not have put it off. Now I don't care how often I get poked or prodded or drained of blood. It's better than dying.

Up until the day of my surgery I did not have symptoms that would have prompted me to see a doctor. No doubt if I hadn't volunteered for the checkup I might be in a much worse situation by now. Obviously if you're feeling OK it doesn't mean that you are OK.

I kept details of my health problem to a small group of family and friends. I felt it was very personal and embarrassing, but now I know it's nothing to be ashamed of. I'm not looking for sympathy. I'm sharing my story because I want others to learn from my experience. I'm hoping that this email will prompt more men to check their health.

Some positives have come from my prostate journey. My perspective on life is different. I appreciate the good things. I hold the kids a lot closer and listen to them when they want to talk. I'm never too busy for them. Problems at work are not so important. I have met some wonderful people in the medical profession and made friends through the Brisbane prostate cancer support group, who feel like family.

If one person reads this message and makes an appointment for a health check then that's another positive. (Have a cardiac & diabetes check too). The PSA test is inconclusive so it's best to have both the blood test and rectal exam. A physical examination can detect a tumor in >15% of cases where the patient doesn't have an elevated PSA.


The information available from the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and Beyond Blue were of great value to me, but it all costs money. Cancer research institutions need ongoing funding. I worry about my Son Nick as his chance of getting prostate cancer has doubled. I'm hopeful that there will be rapid advances in detection and treatment technologies so my Son and other men don't have to follow me on the prostate cancer journey.
Breast Cancer receives a lot of publicity but prostate cancer doesn't have the same public profile. Each year in Australia, close to 3300 men die of prostate cancer - almost equal to the number of women who die from breast cancer. Sadly, 20 000 Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year.

Prostate cancer doesn't discriminate. It can happen to anyone. I'm just an average guy. A family man who goes to work at the office each day and also enjoys hobbies like anyone else. I'm sharing my story in the hope that others will relate to it and realise the importance of health checks. I sent an email similar to this to my close friends some time ago and several were prompted to have their prostates checked. One has just commenced treatment for prostate disease and another has just finished radiotherapy. It made a difference, so I'm sharing my story with the wider community.

Guys, the key message here is to have a prostate checkup. Not just for your sake, but for the sake of your family and friends who could potentially suffer with you later because you weren't proactive. Early detection is the key to a good recovery. If detected and treated early, prostate cancer can be cured. If the cancer spreads outside the prostate capsule, the outlook is not so good. There is no cure, just treatment to slow it down and manage the symptoms.

Boys, pick up the phone and make a doctor's appointment NOW.
Girls, make sure he does it or make the appointment for him. Don't put it off.

Mick
--

longbowinfected
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Re: Prostate

#2 Post by longbowinfected » Sat Oct 30, 2010 1:51 pm

While you are at it check out your bowel with a bowel screening test. I did. I had no symptoms. I have cancer. I am one of the luckier ones with a better than average outlook but that is still a statistic. Do not let the bigC grab you without a fight and fight it early.

Kev
never complain....you did not have to wake up....every day is an extra bonus and costs nothing.

Brumbies Country
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Re: Prostate

#3 Post by Brumbies Country » Sat Oct 30, 2010 4:32 pm

This is particularly timely.

I'm down to undergo a radical prostatectomy in two and a half weeks. It' taken a while to get the whole thing sorted. I had a mildly elevated PSA in April. By the time alternative causes are eliminated, a biopsy is done, and follow up bone scans and MRI's are done, and in my case six months has elapsed. As vet I do have to say that when I was in practice and was presented with an oncology patient, things would have gone a bit quicker. Much of this time frame is down to the busy schedules specialists have these days and the resulting time lags getting back to them. I'm pretty upbeat-you have to be.

This is the second most common cancer in males and if you are over 40 it's worth getting a rectal examination (yeah it's an indignity but it's worth it) and a PSA blood test. We guys are a bit reluctant to do these things, but we need to think about it.

These days I work in a university and was asked 6 months to give a presentation at an oncology symposium end of November. I'm hoping to be sufficiently recovered to do it, but have to say that the word cancer now has a whole new meaning.

Simon

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hue
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Re: Prostate

#4 Post by hue » Sat Oct 30, 2010 4:38 pm

hiya deW

your friend's experience with prostate cancer doesn't mirror mine, but the shock of having it does!
i had a partial prostactamy, which seems to have succeeded and that was nearly 12 years ago.
i highly recommend that every man has the blood test from 40 onwards and also the more invasive one, despite drs, recommending 50 plus. just think what it must be like to be a woman who have to have more invasive proceedures, more often!
and please tell your friend that the problems with impotence are easily fixed these days
i wish him all the best

Hue

best of luck Simon
I can only be who I am

piggy
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Re: Prostate

#5 Post by piggy » Sat Oct 30, 2010 5:57 pm

When I turned 40 I had a colonoscopy due to a history of colon cancer in the family and despite doctors telling me I was too young to have it checked I insisted and got the all clear.
Also got my prostate checked and all good, not sure whats worse a finger up the bum or nearly wetting your pants but it all worth it.
Better to have it checked as early detection gives better results.

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Gringa Bows
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Re: Prostate

#6 Post by Gringa Bows » Sat Oct 30, 2010 6:08 pm

My ole girl made me have the bolod test a few months ago, it was all clear this time ,but i guess i better keep getting the test regulary now that i'm over 55.,

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Stickbow Hunter
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Re: Prostate

#7 Post by Stickbow Hunter » Sat Oct 30, 2010 6:21 pm

A good post Dave and a good heads up to all us fellas.

All the best Simon for the procedure ahead.

Jeff

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MrsStringnstik
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Re: Prostate

#8 Post by MrsStringnstik » Sat Oct 30, 2010 9:49 pm

well, guys... you've got Mrs S off for the tissue box again...

we lost a good friend to bowel cancer this morning... & his dad died from prostrate cancer barely 12 months ago...

for your wives & children's sakes.... GET IT CHECKED!! :-)

& also be aware that men can also get BREAST CANCER!! even a painless lump should be checked...

with love to you all!!

Mrs S
"There will of course be no mention of the rumour that Mrs stringnstik shot better than I did." Stringnstik!!

longbowinfected
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Re: Prostate

#9 Post by longbowinfected » Sun Oct 31, 2010 1:40 pm

yes ma'me.

K
never complain....you did not have to wake up....every day is an extra bonus and costs nothing.

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kerrille
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Re: Prostate

#10 Post by kerrille » Sun Oct 31, 2010 4:31 pm

i went for a test earlier this year no prostate probs but they found my liver was stuffed because of medication ive been taken for a number of years hopefully it will right its self wont know till next year ,so its always good to get checked you never know what the'll find.

...nev..
i hunt animals because they have legs and can run away ................plants dont

dawallace45
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Re: Prostate

#11 Post by dawallace45 » Sun Oct 31, 2010 4:52 pm

For some weeks before Micks last PSA test he's been getting serious about his diet and taking stuff like Pomegranate juice and Colloidal silver , his last PSA test dropped to about half what it was , I think it's now about 7, his oncologist is now holding off on the radiation for 6 to 7 weeks to see if there is another drop , oncologist reckons that the radiation will increase his chances of survival to 10% , not by 10% , just up to 10% , not great odds so Mick has started using the Beck protocol , in the hope that it will help get his PSA down or at least get his general health to a stage to tolerate the radiation better

David

A golf course is a wilful and deliberate misuse of a perfectly good rifle range!

longbowinfected
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Re: Prostate

#12 Post by longbowinfected » Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:20 pm

good attitude, daily walks and work out with weights. Lots of greens and beans , almond/marzipan and ginger. Go for it. I am fitter with cancer than I was before I knew...plus I stopped taking sugary soft drinks by the barrel daily.

Every bit you do makes the journey easier.

Kev
never complain....you did not have to wake up....every day is an extra bonus and costs nothing.

Dennis La Varenne
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Re: Prostate

#13 Post by Dennis La Varenne » Sat Nov 06, 2010 1:32 am

To all,

I am now 61. I had my run in with the mongrel when I was 28. It was testicular cancer (Semenoma) and went undiagnnosed for at least 5 years because the pain was located in my renal areas and I got plenty of negative results from renal scans. Finally, one renal specialist told me that I was probably imagining the pain. "it can happen to some people".

I all the previous 5+ years, not a single medico of the very many I saw over that period actually got me up on an exam table and did a basic physical exam - you know - prodding and poking, etc.

In the end, the pain was something you just cannot talk about to people who haven't experienced it - 24 hours a day every day, every night. My weight dropped from my normal 58kg down to 47 kg by the time I was admitted. I was so skinny I thought that my knees had swollen, but the reality was, I had the build of an Auschwitz inmate. Eating was just too painful because of the limited space in my abdomen from the mass. I was existing on thin soup and light bread rolls in increasingly smaller amounts.

Only one doctor in my local practice noticed that I had been coming back repeatedly complaining of sever pain and vomiting all over the waiting room floor from the pain. It was treated by receiving a hit of pethedine and valium combined - the one to kill the pain and the other to wipe the memory of it. This particular local doctor just looked at my notes and told me to get up on the table so he could have a poke around. My usual doctor was away because he had broken his leg by tripping over his dog. The exam lasted only about 5 minutes. He went out and came back a couple of minutes later with the instruction to report to 'x' hospital that afternoon. That aroused my suspicions a bit.

In fact, the **** had hit the fan when he realised what had been happening, and the medical system went into overdrive aided by my high level of private health cover. I was operated on just over 24 hours later after a 15 minute exam by a surgeon who took me to theatre one hour after his exam. He removed a huge abdominal mass, and one week later, my left testicle (the primary) and followed up by massive radiation doses at Peter Macs. They were very high by today's standards, but it was a very new treatment modality back then and dosage was very much trial and error. I was able to physically tolerate the high doses which was probably my lifesaver. No chemo though - ever - but no more radiation either if it ever comes back again. Radiation sickness is a prick of a thing.

In the several years that followed, it returned and metastasised to both my lungs the first time and later to my spleen. Both relapses were treated with radiation while I attended work. I went to Peter Macs each afternoon. Fortunately, the pain did not return for some reason and I received a prescription for Methadone as a cough suppressant for my scorched lungs - a very pleasant experience - later changed to Ticarda for some reason I never found out.

In the end, it worked out well by the skin of my teeth and a determination not to let it get the better of me. It was a long road, but underpinning it all should have been the ability to be able to rely on being correctly diagnosed in the first place.

A simple physical exam early in the progression of the disease would have made all the difference.
Dennis La Varénne

Have the courage to argue your beliefs with conviction, but the humility to accept that you may be wrong.

QVIS CVSTODIET IPSOS CVSTODES (Who polices the police?) - DECIMVS IVNIVS IVVENALIS (Juvenal) - Satire VI, lines 347–8

What is the difference between free enterprise capitalism and organised crime?

HOMO LVPVS HOMINIS - Man is his own predator.

longbowinfected
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Re: Prostate

#14 Post by longbowinfected » Sat Nov 06, 2010 6:48 am

It is early days for me...had the op and a third of the way through chemo. I was really lucky........diagnosed by the National bowel scan. No symptoms whatsoever. Caught very early. The ops hurt but you can bear it. Chemo is bearable. I cannot begin tounderstand the extra crap you had to go through Dennis. I do kno it was many many times worse than my worse day. As a baseline I would not wish even what I am going through on my worst enemy. Get it checked and if you have a ut feeling someting is not right swap doctors.
Strangely enough you get to develop a lot of inner peace and strength doing this gig...most of it is bourne out of the comments and support of others, especially rom those who have had a run against the devil.

Kev
never complain....you did not have to wake up....every day is an extra bonus and costs nothing.

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bigbob
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Re: Prostate

#15 Post by bigbob » Sat Nov 06, 2010 3:14 pm

It's a bastard of a disease and my run ins have been mild in comparisions to some of you guys, though I had a close relative [sibling] given 3 months to live with stage 3 bowel cancer. That person is alive and 'well' now 25 years later , if you can discount periodic shots of pethidine to allay the traumas caused by the radiation.Check ups guys, that is the simple secret to enhancing your chances.I would rather have a few moments of discomfit with a rectal examination than undergo the soul searing emotional and physical onslaught that you guys are dealing with. My best wishes to you all.
nil illigitimo in desperandum carborundum
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Dennis La Varenne
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Re: Prostate

#16 Post by Dennis La Varenne » Sat Nov 06, 2010 9:20 pm

Kevin, bigbob and everyone,

It is strange how after all those years, the emotional side of the consequences of what happened back then are coming to the surface more and affect me more now than back then. Perhaps I was too concerned with surviving and overcoming the pain to concern myself with that aspect. I suppose it is a bit like the PTSD everyone keeps talking about these days, but not as bad. I still suffer from radiation enteritis and reduced lung compliance from the radiation. Radiation enteritis is a state of chronic inflammation of the whole bowel due to radiation. There can be a great deal of pain from it even now, but I know it is not going to kill me and you learn to live with it. My left kidney is severely compromised and has shrivelled to about half size over the years. It is still functioning a bit but will inevitably fail and will need to be removed. I can cop that though, because life hasn't been too bad since 1978 on average.

The principle to remember from all of this is as Dave started with the opening post that get seen to as soon as possible. You just cannot tough out this mongrel of a disease, whatever its form.

Has anyone noticed the current ad campaign saying that prostate cancer kills far more men than breast cancer kills women - and look at all the publicity and pink ribbon campaigns that that generated. But we blokes don't seem to want to look after ourselves.
Dennis La Varénne

Have the courage to argue your beliefs with conviction, but the humility to accept that you may be wrong.

QVIS CVSTODIET IPSOS CVSTODES (Who polices the police?) - DECIMVS IVNIVS IVVENALIS (Juvenal) - Satire VI, lines 347–8

What is the difference between free enterprise capitalism and organised crime?

HOMO LVPVS HOMINIS - Man is his own predator.

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bigbob
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Re: Prostate

#17 Post by bigbob » Sun Nov 07, 2010 7:49 pm

Dennis you have touched on a sensitive issue for me and that as you say men are practically on a parity via prostate cancer to women and breast cancer, yet very little is expended on mens health and education for the same. With that what I feel needs to be addressed is the funding disparity for males so that we dont feel some what second class in the necessity stakes.As you mentioned with the consequences of the treatment, I sympathised with my relative suffering the same effects some time ago and was succinctly told that even so, it was a damn sight better than the alternative. More power to you all.
nil illigitimo in desperandum carborundum
razorbows.com

Brumbies Country
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Re: Prostate

#18 Post by Brumbies Country » Tue Nov 09, 2010 4:25 pm

Dennis La Varenne wrote:In the several years that followed, it returned and metastasised to both my lungs the first time and later to my spleen. Both relapses were treated with radiation while I attended work. I went to Peter Macs each afternoon. Fortunately, the pain did not return for some reason and I received a prescription for Methadone as a cough suppressant for my scorched lungs - a very pleasant experience - later changed to Ticarda for some reason I never found out.

In the end, it worked out well by the skin of my teeth and a determination not to let it get the better of me. It was a long road, but underpinning it all should have been the ability to be able to rely on being correctly diagnosed in the first place.

A simple physical exam early in the progression of the disease would have made all the difference.
That must have been a heckuva thing to go through Dennis, but also inspiring for others that you survived secondary metastasis. They reckon attitude is a big thing in the fight. Thanks for sharing it.

Simon

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