Last Monday I went back to the hospital for my first follow up. As well as seeing the specialist nurse I was seen by Professor Neal who leads the team at Addenbrooke's. He had both bad and good news for me. The tissue that was removed during my operation was sent to the path lab for evaluation and revealed that my tumour was worse than expected. It is graded a T3b. This means that the tumour was on both sides of the prostate, and had broken through the capsule. It had invaded the bladder neck and seminal vesicles but, importantly, not the lymph nodes. It is from the lymph nodes that the cancer is most likely to spread around the body.
I had blood taken for a PSA check and will find out tomorrow what the level is now. If it has dropped to almost zero then all is well. If it hasn't it does not yet mean it is definately bad news as it might indicate that some remains in my bloodstream and is still on the way down. Another test will occur in 6 weeks and if still high that would be bad news.
I am being referred to the oncology department to be prepared for radiotherapy. If my PSA is low then this won't be done immediately but only if it starts to rise again. If it remains high it will be done soon.
Having done some quiet research on my situation it seems that T3b tumours are not the best result. Less than 50% of men will survive 5 years. Having radiotherapy improves those chances a little. However the good news is that my case the cancer does not seem to have reached the lymph nodes so I am planning to be in the survival group. So far I am not wrong!
The side effects are all still with me and progress is frustratingly slow. However my main concern is to know whether I will have to have radiotherapy now, later or hopefully never.
All of this means that my personal life remains up in the air. How can you make long term decisions with this hanging over us? We have a buyer for the business and have found a new house, but a long way away from the hospital treating me so might decide to put things on hold. The new house in Cebu has been finished for almost a year and stands empty and locked. We have yet to see it.
Thanks for reading and I will update again soon.
Sunday, 11 July 2010
Monday, 31 May 2010
The recovery
I had my surgery just over 2 weeks ago and am now feeling much stronger again. The actual experience in hospital was much as expected, although I was "out" for considerably longer than I anticipated. I went into hospital early evening on the Wednesday and nothing much happened until 6 am Thurday, when I was woken, given an enama and told to shower etc. The surgeon and anaesthetist came to see me and at 8 am I was taken down to the theatre area. By now I had labels on both my wrist and an ankle and was repeatedly asked to confirm my name, date of birth etc. Why on two limbs I have no idea, perhaps if they decided to remove one, but clearly they were taking no chances about making sure they had the right guy. I had needles inserted into veins on both hands which then went quite cold, but I remained awake and aware of everything around me. The next thing I knew I was in the recovery room. I had no recollection at all of how or when I went to sleep, nor of anything at all about the operation itself. It was by now around 2 pm so that was about 5 hours of my life which went totally missing. I was kept in the recovery area until about 5 pm, with frequent checks on blood pressure and oxygen levels, which it seems were lower than normal, hence the delay in sending me back. It did not seem so long so I guess I was drifting in and out during that time.
At around 5 pm I was moved back to the ward and Connie was there to see me. It was only then that I realised just how many tubes were still connected. I was receiving fluids via a drip, oxygen via a mask, had a drain inside my tummy going to a bottle beside the bed and a catheter, well you know where that goes. I felt OK and that I was making intelligent and amusing conversation. Connie tells me that I kept going to sleep, slurring my words and talking nonesense! Connie went home at around 8 pm and I dozed off and on all night, receiving frequent visits from the nurses to check blood pressure etc. I had my first cup of tea too!
At around 8 am on Friday a specialist nurse came and removed the drain from my tummy, which was a most uncomfortable sensation, and the drip disconnected. I was then sat in a chair and given some breakfast, my first meal since Wednesday. After this I was encouraged to walk lengths of the ward and told I had to manage 10 before being allowed home. The rest of the day dragged by, I managed to read a little, the checks continued and the oxygen was decreased. The surgeon visited to tell me that he had not been able to spare any nerves, as the tumour was well defined on both sides of my prostate. This in turn means a significant side effect. I went home at about 5 pm, making slow progress to the car and feeling every bump on the way home.
Now I had to manage my catheter myself, and found this actually pretty simple. I slept like a baby that first night, although subsequent nights were less restful. I was on high doses of pain killers at first but gradually reduced them, although coming off one too quickly produced a reaction which gave me one bad day. Gradually I got stronger and less sleepy. The wounds on my tummy are really insignificant. Just 6 tiny incisions, covered by tape, which has now come off. All the big stuff was inside. Brilliant!
A week later I went back for the catheter to be removed, which was unpleasant but bearable. I was kept there for a few hours to check that my bladder was working and then sent home. This though is the biggest problem, so far. The operation has caused me an almost total loss of bladder control and so far it has only recovered to a very limited degree. I really hate this, for up to now my body has always functioned really well and it makes me feel my age for the first time. I am determined though to get control back and are trying to remember to do my "pelvic floor" exercises every hour. They are a hell of a drag though.
I am now back doing stuff though. I was doing some DIY today, have cut the lawn and been to the beach. Not too bad for 2 weeks after major surgery.
My next milestone is in early July when I re-visit Addenbrookes. I will be told the result of the pathology tests on my prostate and have my PSA re-checked. Provided it is low enough nothing more will be needed. If it even slightly high I will then have to have radiotherapy as this will indicate that there has been a micro escape of cancerous cells. They will also check my continence and will discuss with me how best to deal with my loss of erections. If they had spared the nerves then "blue pills" might do the trick but without them they cannot work. More drastic measures are required. I have some details already, and it sounds pretty unpleasant, so I await this discussion with some aprehension.
Thats it! I survived the op and am recovering. With luck my cancer has gone 100% and I can live an almost normal life. Still don't recommend it though so please keep a good check on yourself.
At around 5 pm I was moved back to the ward and Connie was there to see me. It was only then that I realised just how many tubes were still connected. I was receiving fluids via a drip, oxygen via a mask, had a drain inside my tummy going to a bottle beside the bed and a catheter, well you know where that goes. I felt OK and that I was making intelligent and amusing conversation. Connie tells me that I kept going to sleep, slurring my words and talking nonesense! Connie went home at around 8 pm and I dozed off and on all night, receiving frequent visits from the nurses to check blood pressure etc. I had my first cup of tea too!
At around 8 am on Friday a specialist nurse came and removed the drain from my tummy, which was a most uncomfortable sensation, and the drip disconnected. I was then sat in a chair and given some breakfast, my first meal since Wednesday. After this I was encouraged to walk lengths of the ward and told I had to manage 10 before being allowed home. The rest of the day dragged by, I managed to read a little, the checks continued and the oxygen was decreased. The surgeon visited to tell me that he had not been able to spare any nerves, as the tumour was well defined on both sides of my prostate. This in turn means a significant side effect. I went home at about 5 pm, making slow progress to the car and feeling every bump on the way home.
Now I had to manage my catheter myself, and found this actually pretty simple. I slept like a baby that first night, although subsequent nights were less restful. I was on high doses of pain killers at first but gradually reduced them, although coming off one too quickly produced a reaction which gave me one bad day. Gradually I got stronger and less sleepy. The wounds on my tummy are really insignificant. Just 6 tiny incisions, covered by tape, which has now come off. All the big stuff was inside. Brilliant!
A week later I went back for the catheter to be removed, which was unpleasant but bearable. I was kept there for a few hours to check that my bladder was working and then sent home. This though is the biggest problem, so far. The operation has caused me an almost total loss of bladder control and so far it has only recovered to a very limited degree. I really hate this, for up to now my body has always functioned really well and it makes me feel my age for the first time. I am determined though to get control back and are trying to remember to do my "pelvic floor" exercises every hour. They are a hell of a drag though.
I am now back doing stuff though. I was doing some DIY today, have cut the lawn and been to the beach. Not too bad for 2 weeks after major surgery.
My next milestone is in early July when I re-visit Addenbrookes. I will be told the result of the pathology tests on my prostate and have my PSA re-checked. Provided it is low enough nothing more will be needed. If it even slightly high I will then have to have radiotherapy as this will indicate that there has been a micro escape of cancerous cells. They will also check my continence and will discuss with me how best to deal with my loss of erections. If they had spared the nerves then "blue pills" might do the trick but without them they cannot work. More drastic measures are required. I have some details already, and it sounds pretty unpleasant, so I await this discussion with some aprehension.
Thats it! I survived the op and am recovering. With luck my cancer has gone 100% and I can live an almost normal life. Still don't recommend it though so please keep a good check on yourself.
Thursday, 1 April 2010
Decision made
I have now met with both the Oncology and Surgical teams to review what treatment options are available. I met the Oncologist at my local hospital. She is a lovely, empathetic lady, very informative and thorough. The radiotherapy would take place daily at Addenbrookes in Cambridge and last for seven weeks. Addenbrookes is 90 minutes from home but they have some kit there which enables the radiotherapy to be directed very accurately and avoids damaging other tissues. The treatment would be proceeded by 3 months of hormone reduction medication, to shrink the size of the prostate.
I met the Surgeon at Addenbrookes, which is also where the surgery would happen. This would be done using a robotic technique known as a "Da Vinci" machine. It is essentially keyhole surgery, less invasive, should avoid damaging other tissues and should make recovery quicker. I had read about these machines being used in the USA but was unaware that it was available here. It seems that the NHS now has 16 of them at various regional centres. The surgeons who use them need special training and I found out that they have all spent time in the USA receiving this and that surgeons from the USA have also been to Addenbrookes to assist in the familiarisation process. This is still major surgery but I count myself very lucky to have it available. The immediate side effects are unpleasant, involving a cathetor for a week or two but nothing I cannot cope with. The long term side effects are more important and most men will suffer some or all of them. They include incontinence, erectile disfunction (which may not be helped by blue pills!) and certain infertility.
The follow care on both options are similar. 6 weekly checks to start with, moving on to 3 monthly and ultimately to 6 monthly. These checks will monitor my PSA levels. It should drop to almost nothing after treatment. If it starts to rise again then it means that some cancerous cells have escaped and are growing elsewhere. That would be the worst news so these monitoring visits are going to be far from routine.
As it seems that 1 in 3 guys are not "cured" by either treatment and face the prospect of their cancer returning I am not out of the wood just yet, and may well be on the edge of a forest for the rest of my life.
Having reviewed both options very thoroughly I have decided to receive the surgery and will enter hospital on May 12th. Both seem to offer as good a result as the other but with the surgery there is always a backup option to receive radiotherapy to the area around the prostate capsule should any cancer be found there later. If I select radiotherapy as the initial treatment I cannot then have any more and surgical removal of such cells is not possible.
So now I know what my immediate future holds. I have other pressing decisions to do with my business and my retirement yet to make but at least this one is out of the way.
Thanks for reading. If you want to avoid all of this, then please do keep a good check on your own health.
I met the Surgeon at Addenbrookes, which is also where the surgery would happen. This would be done using a robotic technique known as a "Da Vinci" machine. It is essentially keyhole surgery, less invasive, should avoid damaging other tissues and should make recovery quicker. I had read about these machines being used in the USA but was unaware that it was available here. It seems that the NHS now has 16 of them at various regional centres. The surgeons who use them need special training and I found out that they have all spent time in the USA receiving this and that surgeons from the USA have also been to Addenbrookes to assist in the familiarisation process. This is still major surgery but I count myself very lucky to have it available. The immediate side effects are unpleasant, involving a cathetor for a week or two but nothing I cannot cope with. The long term side effects are more important and most men will suffer some or all of them. They include incontinence, erectile disfunction (which may not be helped by blue pills!) and certain infertility.
The follow care on both options are similar. 6 weekly checks to start with, moving on to 3 monthly and ultimately to 6 monthly. These checks will monitor my PSA levels. It should drop to almost nothing after treatment. If it starts to rise again then it means that some cancerous cells have escaped and are growing elsewhere. That would be the worst news so these monitoring visits are going to be far from routine.
As it seems that 1 in 3 guys are not "cured" by either treatment and face the prospect of their cancer returning I am not out of the wood just yet, and may well be on the edge of a forest for the rest of my life.
Having reviewed both options very thoroughly I have decided to receive the surgery and will enter hospital on May 12th. Both seem to offer as good a result as the other but with the surgery there is always a backup option to receive radiotherapy to the area around the prostate capsule should any cancer be found there later. If I select radiotherapy as the initial treatment I cannot then have any more and surgical removal of such cells is not possible.
So now I know what my immediate future holds. I have other pressing decisions to do with my business and my retirement yet to make but at least this one is out of the way.
Thanks for reading. If you want to avoid all of this, then please do keep a good check on your own health.
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
The results
A lot has happened in the last week or so. I was called back to the hospital to undergo a MRI scan and for xrays because the bone scan had revealed "hot spots" which needed further investigation. This happened last Thursday and although noisy was no problem at all.
Later that day I spoke with my "keyworker" who advised that my case was to be reviewed on Monday and that she would call me afterwards to let me know how things stood.
I spent a restless weekend not knowing if my cancer had spread outside the prostate or whether it remained localised. Having been told that "hotspots" on my spine had been revealed and having only been referred because of my back ache I was not feeling too optimistic, but determined to make the best of whatever I had left.
As you can imagine those around me were also feeling the pressure. We tried to keep busy and not dwell on Monday but when it dawned I found myself reluctant to be more than a few yards from the phone.
The morning came and went. No call. By 3.30 I was convinced I had mis-understood what I had been told so called the hospital. My keyworker was not available and her colleague informed me that yes my case had been reviewed but that the meeting had over-run and my keyworker had had to go straight into a clinic. She had my notes with her, and would call me as soon as she returned to her desk. So again I waited but fortunately not for too long.
The phone rang. It was someone trying to sell me advertising. I am not normally rude but they did not get too far. Then it rang again and this time it was Sally, my keyworker.
With my heart pumping I listened to what she told me. That my cancer had NOT spread and was confined to just my prostate. The pains in my back must be caused by arthritis, which won't kill me.
The next step is to decide which treatment I will be given. I may be offered a prostatectomy, surgery to remove the prostate, but am on the cusp of whether this is possible due to my high Gleeson score, PSA level and age. This is a major operation, with significant side effects but has a good chance of complete success. The alternative is radiotherapy, or which there are a number of types possible, directly to the prostate. This also should produce a good result, but also has a number of side effects.
Nothing is guaranteed and these procedures could still only delay the spread, but they are more likely to remove it completely, leaving me with a normal life expectancy but permanent side effects. Neither is an easy option but both are one hell of a lot better than being told the only treatment I could be offered was palliative, which until 4 pm yesterday I felt in my heart was what I would be told.
You cannot imagine the relief I felt. I had no idea until I was told that I had so much stress in me and it came pouring out, quite a lot of it from my eyes! If Sally had been there I would have kissed her, although Connie was actually holding on pretty tight so might have stopped me.
My file is now going to Addenbrookes in Cambridge, where the surgery would take place, for them to decide if I am suitable. They have a review meeting next Monday, when I will also meet with the oncologist to discuss the radiotherapy option.
I have been asked to stop the hormone therapy I had started, as this is not a good idea for one of the treatments. Whatever is decided the process will last for many months, both to prepare me and then to follow up afterwards.
Whether we can complete the business sale, find somewhere else to live and visit our new house in Cebu during this time remains an open question that I am only now beginning to turn my mind onto.
Over-all though it was really good news and relief all round.
A final word about the much maligned NHS. For me this is a national treasure we should all be proud of. They have acted quickly and efficiently and a with good humour. I loath the tick box, target setting attitude found in so much of the public service these days and just wish that these professionals, who are genuinely devoted to their calling, were left alone to do their jobs and not distracted by having to meet arbitarily set objectives. Rant over.
Later that day I spoke with my "keyworker" who advised that my case was to be reviewed on Monday and that she would call me afterwards to let me know how things stood.
I spent a restless weekend not knowing if my cancer had spread outside the prostate or whether it remained localised. Having been told that "hotspots" on my spine had been revealed and having only been referred because of my back ache I was not feeling too optimistic, but determined to make the best of whatever I had left.
As you can imagine those around me were also feeling the pressure. We tried to keep busy and not dwell on Monday but when it dawned I found myself reluctant to be more than a few yards from the phone.
The morning came and went. No call. By 3.30 I was convinced I had mis-understood what I had been told so called the hospital. My keyworker was not available and her colleague informed me that yes my case had been reviewed but that the meeting had over-run and my keyworker had had to go straight into a clinic. She had my notes with her, and would call me as soon as she returned to her desk. So again I waited but fortunately not for too long.
The phone rang. It was someone trying to sell me advertising. I am not normally rude but they did not get too far. Then it rang again and this time it was Sally, my keyworker.
With my heart pumping I listened to what she told me. That my cancer had NOT spread and was confined to just my prostate. The pains in my back must be caused by arthritis, which won't kill me.
The next step is to decide which treatment I will be given. I may be offered a prostatectomy, surgery to remove the prostate, but am on the cusp of whether this is possible due to my high Gleeson score, PSA level and age. This is a major operation, with significant side effects but has a good chance of complete success. The alternative is radiotherapy, or which there are a number of types possible, directly to the prostate. This also should produce a good result, but also has a number of side effects.
Nothing is guaranteed and these procedures could still only delay the spread, but they are more likely to remove it completely, leaving me with a normal life expectancy but permanent side effects. Neither is an easy option but both are one hell of a lot better than being told the only treatment I could be offered was palliative, which until 4 pm yesterday I felt in my heart was what I would be told.
You cannot imagine the relief I felt. I had no idea until I was told that I had so much stress in me and it came pouring out, quite a lot of it from my eyes! If Sally had been there I would have kissed her, although Connie was actually holding on pretty tight so might have stopped me.
My file is now going to Addenbrookes in Cambridge, where the surgery would take place, for them to decide if I am suitable. They have a review meeting next Monday, when I will also meet with the oncologist to discuss the radiotherapy option.
I have been asked to stop the hormone therapy I had started, as this is not a good idea for one of the treatments. Whatever is decided the process will last for many months, both to prepare me and then to follow up afterwards.
Whether we can complete the business sale, find somewhere else to live and visit our new house in Cebu during this time remains an open question that I am only now beginning to turn my mind onto.
Over-all though it was really good news and relief all round.
A final word about the much maligned NHS. For me this is a national treasure we should all be proud of. They have acted quickly and efficiently and a with good humour. I loath the tick box, target setting attitude found in so much of the public service these days and just wish that these professionals, who are genuinely devoted to their calling, were left alone to do their jobs and not distracted by having to meet arbitarily set objectives. Rant over.
Saturday, 27 February 2010
The waiting
Its been a few weeks since my first attempt so I had best update the situation and then see if anyone is reading this! I hope so because what is happening to me needs to be understood by others, so that they can take the preventative action earlier than I did.
I had my biopsy on schedule. It wasn't pleasant but neither was it of any real concern. Then I waited. And waited. It took another 3 weeks before I saw the consultant again to be told that I do have a tumour. It is graded a 7 on the Gleeson scale (4+3) which means it is on the high end of moderately aggressive. My PSA is now 21. I was immediately put onto hormone therapy and scheduled for a bone scan, which will determine whether the cancer has already spread to my bones. Remember, the original referral was because I complained of back ache! I was told that the bone scan would be done within around 2 weeks, but was actually called in 2 days later.
Now I am waiting for the results of this scan and this will determine just how far this has progressed, what the treatment will be and how long I am likely to live. If there is no metastatis to the bone then the homone therapy will probably be replaced by radiotherapy directly on the prostate to kill the cancer cells and I could live for a lot longer. If it has spread.....well I read that only 30% of men survive another 5 years, it cannot be "cured" and the treatment becomes pallitive.
So my life is on hold whilst I wait. We cannot progress with our planned part time move to our lovely new house on the beach in the tropics, and because of the NHS rules on the treatment of Brits living abroad, may never be able to. We were planning to move our UK location to either Devon or Dorset and were due to start house hunting, but have had to suspend that for the time being.
The first indication something was wrong was 3 years ago, when due to a poor urine flow an enlarged prostate was diagnosed and eventually I had a "TURPS", which reduces its size. At no time was cancer suggested or my PSA checked. This was always classified as a benign enlargement, something which was pretty normal for a man of my age. It now seems pretty obvious that the cancer was already there and was missed.
I would encourage anyone who suffers even the slightest symptoms which might suggest a similar problem not to ignore them, and go and get your PSA level checked, via a simple blood test. The symptoms include a poor flow, increased frequency and any type of back, hip or pelvic ache which might seem minor or dull and dismissed as irrelevant, age related or "wear and tear" arthitis. It is too easy to accept these as nothing, or for Doctors to re-assure you not to worry, take pain relieve and rest. My advice is make a fuss, get checked and be certain that early onset prostate cancer is not the cause. Catch it early and it can be treated successfully. Catching it late is not a good idea.
More later, after this period of waiting is over.
I had my biopsy on schedule. It wasn't pleasant but neither was it of any real concern. Then I waited. And waited. It took another 3 weeks before I saw the consultant again to be told that I do have a tumour. It is graded a 7 on the Gleeson scale (4+3) which means it is on the high end of moderately aggressive. My PSA is now 21. I was immediately put onto hormone therapy and scheduled for a bone scan, which will determine whether the cancer has already spread to my bones. Remember, the original referral was because I complained of back ache! I was told that the bone scan would be done within around 2 weeks, but was actually called in 2 days later.
Now I am waiting for the results of this scan and this will determine just how far this has progressed, what the treatment will be and how long I am likely to live. If there is no metastatis to the bone then the homone therapy will probably be replaced by radiotherapy directly on the prostate to kill the cancer cells and I could live for a lot longer. If it has spread.....well I read that only 30% of men survive another 5 years, it cannot be "cured" and the treatment becomes pallitive.
So my life is on hold whilst I wait. We cannot progress with our planned part time move to our lovely new house on the beach in the tropics, and because of the NHS rules on the treatment of Brits living abroad, may never be able to. We were planning to move our UK location to either Devon or Dorset and were due to start house hunting, but have had to suspend that for the time being.
The first indication something was wrong was 3 years ago, when due to a poor urine flow an enlarged prostate was diagnosed and eventually I had a "TURPS", which reduces its size. At no time was cancer suggested or my PSA checked. This was always classified as a benign enlargement, something which was pretty normal for a man of my age. It now seems pretty obvious that the cancer was already there and was missed.
I would encourage anyone who suffers even the slightest symptoms which might suggest a similar problem not to ignore them, and go and get your PSA level checked, via a simple blood test. The symptoms include a poor flow, increased frequency and any type of back, hip or pelvic ache which might seem minor or dull and dismissed as irrelevant, age related or "wear and tear" arthitis. It is too easy to accept these as nothing, or for Doctors to re-assure you not to worry, take pain relieve and rest. My advice is make a fuss, get checked and be certain that early onset prostate cancer is not the cause. Catch it early and it can be treated successfully. Catching it late is not a good idea.
More later, after this period of waiting is over.
Monday, 25 January 2010
The start
This is my first ever blog. So why now and will anyone read it? Well, the reason is simple. I feel the need to share my recent experiences with others, and for reasons which will become obvious, don't want to do so with all my friends. As time goes by, if I get a response, then I might also open up on some other issues too. Lets see.
A few basic facts. I am 65 years old, own a medium sized and succesful business and married to a much younger, very talented and pretty lady. I have recently completed a second home which is right on a tropical beach and where we have planned to spend half our time in future, leaving the business to run under the local manager. Pretty lucky guy? Well I thought I was until a week or so ago.
What happened? I went to see my doctor because I was suffering a persistant cough and one of my knees was playing up a little. I am not a smoker but have been diagnosed with some arthritus, not too bad or surprising at 65. I mentioned in passing that I was also experiencing a little lower back pain, which I regarded as simply a consequence of getting older. However the doctor examined me and sent me for a blood test "just as a pre-caution". He told me that they would be checking my PSA levels and that he would only call me if they showed any abnormaility. I had never heard of PSA so did some research. It seems it is an indicator of prostate problems. I had an enlarged prostate a few years ago, which required me to undergo a TURPS, a small operation which reduces it's size and this was really successful.
I had the blood test and really did not worry until the doctor called to inform that my PSA showed up at 20. The normal at my age is around 4. A PSA of 20 indicates a possible prostate cancer. The problems with prostate cancer become more serious if and when it spreads to the bones. My doctor referred me BECAUSE of something wrong with my spine. So I started to really worry.
I was referred to a consultant who examined me, using a "DRE" (don't ask, but it is both painful and not very dignified) and he told me that he thinks I have a tumour. Now I must have a biopsy to confirm this and if I do to determine what stage I am at. This may then be followed by bone scans before the course of treatment is decided, along with a prognosis to inform me what my future might be. I could be 100% clear (unlikely) or I might only have a short time (also unlikely). The most likely result is something in between but where is totally unknown right now.
Am I worried? Of course I am and so are those close to me, but its going to be a couple of weeks before I know anymore. My biospy is scheduled for Tuesday 2nd Feb and it will no doubt be a week or more later before I get the results.
In the meantime a word to all of you who have little aches and pains and don't do anything about them. Until a couple of weeks ago I was self righteously proclaiming that I was in fantastic shape for my age. I ignored my aching back and my night time loo visits, putting them down to just being 65. My lovely wife and new beach house beckoned. Maybe they still do, but please don't you ignore any warning signs. Go get checked as early as possible. We Brits don't like to be a "bother", but its' folly.
I will update this as things progress and chat through whatever happens.
A few basic facts. I am 65 years old, own a medium sized and succesful business and married to a much younger, very talented and pretty lady. I have recently completed a second home which is right on a tropical beach and where we have planned to spend half our time in future, leaving the business to run under the local manager. Pretty lucky guy? Well I thought I was until a week or so ago.
What happened? I went to see my doctor because I was suffering a persistant cough and one of my knees was playing up a little. I am not a smoker but have been diagnosed with some arthritus, not too bad or surprising at 65. I mentioned in passing that I was also experiencing a little lower back pain, which I regarded as simply a consequence of getting older. However the doctor examined me and sent me for a blood test "just as a pre-caution". He told me that they would be checking my PSA levels and that he would only call me if they showed any abnormaility. I had never heard of PSA so did some research. It seems it is an indicator of prostate problems. I had an enlarged prostate a few years ago, which required me to undergo a TURPS, a small operation which reduces it's size and this was really successful.
I had the blood test and really did not worry until the doctor called to inform that my PSA showed up at 20. The normal at my age is around 4. A PSA of 20 indicates a possible prostate cancer. The problems with prostate cancer become more serious if and when it spreads to the bones. My doctor referred me BECAUSE of something wrong with my spine. So I started to really worry.
I was referred to a consultant who examined me, using a "DRE" (don't ask, but it is both painful and not very dignified) and he told me that he thinks I have a tumour. Now I must have a biopsy to confirm this and if I do to determine what stage I am at. This may then be followed by bone scans before the course of treatment is decided, along with a prognosis to inform me what my future might be. I could be 100% clear (unlikely) or I might only have a short time (also unlikely). The most likely result is something in between but where is totally unknown right now.
Am I worried? Of course I am and so are those close to me, but its going to be a couple of weeks before I know anymore. My biospy is scheduled for Tuesday 2nd Feb and it will no doubt be a week or more later before I get the results.
In the meantime a word to all of you who have little aches and pains and don't do anything about them. Until a couple of weeks ago I was self righteously proclaiming that I was in fantastic shape for my age. I ignored my aching back and my night time loo visits, putting them down to just being 65. My lovely wife and new beach house beckoned. Maybe they still do, but please don't you ignore any warning signs. Go get checked as early as possible. We Brits don't like to be a "bother", but its' folly.
I will update this as things progress and chat through whatever happens.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)