Cancer - please read!!

Given the terrible news that trundle recently posted, I hope you will bear with me and read this post. I know that the word "cancer" alarms people and, for many, the inclination will be to skip this post and move on. PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS! What I have to say could conceivably save your life and, if only one person benefits from reading this, it will be worthwhile.

You see, I had prostate cancer as many of you know. The thing is, I HAD NO SYMPTOMS. The classic tell tales include weak urine flow, difficulty in containing it, needing to pee frequently and getting up in the night to do so. As it happens I had the waterworks of someone 30 years younger. I had absolutely no symptoms whatsoever and, as my articulate and well mannered partner coarsely put it; "You piss like a racehorse".

Dawned the day I went to see my doctor about something entirely unrelated. He recommended, given my age, that I have a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test as a matter of course. I rubbished the suggestion, protesting that I was fighting fit (which I was) and that my waterworks were probably sounder than his (which they probably were). But he insisted and he saved my life. Dramatic? No, he did just that by his insistence.

My blood tests showed a high reading. Now begins a story in its own right but I will skip that to cut to the chase. I had a number of biopsies which showed negative. But I was now having regular blood tests and the PSA level kept on rising: so I was subjected to a really thorough biopsy that showed my prostate was 90% infiltrated. Ninety per cent!!!!!!

I had immediate meetings with a consultant surgeon who recommended surgery as opposed to radiotherapy. His reasoning was that the latter might not work given the hold the cancer had on me and it would be months before the overall result would be known, by which time it might be too late for me if it hadn't worked. Surgery, he said, would plain and simple remove it there and then. I took his advice and that also saved my life. After the operation, he told me that when they took a close look at it, the cancer was on the point of bursting out of the prostate.

I had three clear years and it returned. A little infected tissue still remained but continued blood tests detected it and it was so small that this time radiotherapy was able to deal with it.

So my message is this. Don't be alarmed by prostate cancer. It is present in more senior men than not and more people die WITH it than OF it. The thing is this: if you ignore it, it will certainly kill you. If you deal with it early, you have a HUGE chance of recovery. If you have reached the age of 50 then SEE YOUR GP AND ASK FOR A PSA BLOOD TEST. I don't care how well or fit you feel, JUST DO IT, and the sooner the better. I felt like a million dollars at the time it was diagnosed and I couldn't believe the findings. But the fact is, I was carrying a silent killer inside me, an early death sentence in fact.

If you do visit your doctor, one of two things will result. The resultant blood test will show if you are at risk or not. If you are, you are lucky because it can be dealt with immediately. If you are clear, think what a relief it will be. You will then be subjected to regular PSA blood tests for the rest of your life but you know that if the thing strikes you, it will be detected early, which almost always means successful treatment.

I apologise if I have alarmed anybody but if I hadn't been so lucky I wouldn't be here now. I am hoping that this post will inspire those who haven't done so, to get a check up. If you do, I am sure that you, your family and friends will be so thankful you did. Come on, my fellow Jacks, you know it makes sense!!

 

Makes sense, had a similar scare myself a couple of years ago. Hope all Jacks on here heed your warning.

 

That is quite a story Ivor, and i think it is a very good idea to get matters such as this out there, most men will avoid the Doctors like the plague! we are generally the worlds worst when it comes to our own health,thankfully this is starting to change and the more people such as yourself and trundle share these types of experience the better it is.

Im glad your keeping well after going through all that Ivor

 

I'm 26 so have that "it would never happen to me" feeling about it, which I of course know is bollocks.

I really should be having a feel of the ol' testys now and again to check for any lumps too, I imagine very few of us do!

Glad to hear of your recovery. I imagine it happened so quickly you didn't have time to take it all in. All the best, hope it stays away for good!

 

Top, top post! I think lack of awareness of types of cancer and how it works is a huge problem.
Glad your all clear Ivor, it goes without saying that I hope it never returns

 

Ivor well done mate, your a gem among men! I have to say that I was rushed into hospital with fever (Temp 103) some 8 weeks back, they are still not sure what the issues were, though they did think it was an infection of the Kidneys, Bladder, and Prostrate, I've been on 12 weeks of some very heavy antibiotics, but I've also been taking medication for a swollen prostrate. The systems you described Ivor are what I have been having issues with, and I'm still under a consultant at morriston, though you know how slow these things are.

I lost my father back in 1998 to Prostrate cancer, so am well aware of the issues, it's a major problem for all men, and I would recommend all over 45/50 to be screened. As it happens on my last check up Ivor I requested a PSA test, but at the minute I cannot have one due to the medication I'm on, which will throw the test, it is also worth noting that the PSA test is not very accurate, but new tests are on the horizon. I'm glad you are ok Ivor mate, some of the lads in the ward at the side of me were having a tough old time of it, anyway many thanks Ivor...............

 

Thanks, Phil. you are correct in saying that the PSA blood test can be hit or miss regarding the actual cancer. BUT, if it continually rises that is a clear signal to have a closer look, which usually means a biopsy. As it happens, my cancer was missed THREE times (the long story I didn't want to get into) but my PSA readings continued to climb, so I was booked into hospital as an outpatient and given a much more thorough examination. This time they found it. And luckily for me they did because it was very advanced and marching on at a rate of knots.

Prostate cancer is very slow moving at first, which is why it is so treatable if it is caught early. Leaving it to get a grip is quite literally gambling with your life. So my advice is, and I make no apology for repeating it, DON'T GAMBLE, GET A LIFE. YOUR LIFE!!

 

Totaly agree Ivoralljack, Im 70 now I had the same as you no signs ,aprt from the p s a being up yes lads it is true, we should get it checked out. I had 7.5 weeks of radiotherapy 5days a wk that was 5yrs ago what would you rather it be you die or lose your sex life . I see my DR next week for a check up. but there is always Viagra lads which works well so come on you over 40 Jacks dont think it wont get you it will .any were from say 40 to 60 it can be found we might look fit and healthy and bingo .

 

Lauds, you don't necessarily lose your sex life. It can present problems and it did with me. However, the NHS have been great - loads of advice and support and treatment. I know a number of people who swear that it made little difference. It all depends on your age and other factors.

They did draw the line, though, when I suggested that a very pretty nursing consultant could solve my problem at a stroke. Well, a few strokes maybe.......

 

Ivor

Brilliant thread. Awareness is so crucial when it comes to you own health and your thread makes it so clear. Well done
ABERTAWEJACK

 

Ivor as you say you dont realy lose you sex life ,as you say you need a good looking nurse to help the old boy workas I said I had to use viagra as over here in aussie I had to have a coase of hormone injections but all is ok at the moment touch wood.

 

Lauds, I had those as well and that does knock the old libido for a while but it is only a temporary thing: and it's a fantastic feeling when life starts to return to your pecker. I had a silly grin fixed to my face for days when it happened with me.

 

Thanks for posting this Ivor and congratulations on living through this and coming out the other side, quite inspirational. your post has had me do quite a lot of research the past couple of hours as i've just reached the age group and if i'm honest with myself i have mildly developed a few of those early warning symptoms. the tests and treatments don't sound very pleasant but i think i'm going to take your advice and have a check up, i owe that to my young kids at least, wish me luck.............

 

Honky, well done on making your decision. I'm sure you will be fine and, just to reassure you, the tests are no problem. I'm the world's worst coward when it comes to these things and if I can tolerate it, believe me, anyone can.

Initially the doctor with his busy finger was the worst part for me and it lasted all of 90 seconds, if that. Blood tests are blood tests - quick, painless and no problem. The biopsy can be worse to be honest. You do get a local jab to numb the area but I requested a general anaesthetic. I had 4 or 5 biopsies in total and didn't feel a thing - not a long procedure and done as an outpatient. That was it for my diagnosis.

If you require further treatment, radiotherapy etc, I suffered inconvenience and discomfort for a while but nothing that wasn't easy to cope with in the context of things. I had far more pain when I had injections for ingrowing toenails. They warned me it would hurt and it did!!

So honestly, nothing to worry about and getting things checked could be one of the smartest things you ever did. Good luck and I'm sure you will be fine.

 

Well guys all this gives plenty of perspective for me. It shows the things that really matter in life, its nice to see our posters sharing this kind of thing,it can only be positive for people like myself who are maybe unaware or are afraid to learn the facts

 

Top post Ivor and as someone over the target age threshold I will be getting it checked out especially as I am always on at the Mrs to have her checks. Good to hear of your recovery.

 

Diet is very important, I've pretty much had a Mediterranean Diet most of my life, as it is one of the healthiest you can have. Though genetics do play a part with many men, but as Ivor has stated awareness of the issue is critical, and even though the 45/50 age bracket need to take the risk seriously, younger men in their 20/30's have died of prostrate cancer, though this is usually genetic, I've posted a link below which provides some sound advice to those that would like to know more about the issues.






Prostrate Cancer Link: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150086.php

 

Sound advice, Phil. Awareness is everything but ACTION is even more important. Imagine the relief when you get the all clear!! If you don't then you can thank God that the problem has been recognised and can be treated.

Glam, great thinking,mate. One of the best things you will ever do in terms of your health. Needless to say, you have my very best wishes.

 

Hi Ivor as you say it does knock the old Libido for a while as you say it makes you smile when the pecker stands to attention again you feel like a 30yr old again Im slowely geting back to my old self,as you sayit takes time.To honky and the rest of you guys it is worth finding out before it is too late, Ivor and my self are alive and well.

 

Ivor, superb advice. Both my hrandfather and my father have been diagnosed with Prostate cancer. My father is still here thanks to the superb medical staff we have in this country. I am led to believe that it may be hereditory. Appologies for the spelling. But like most men have thought it could never happen to me. This thread coupled with the death of my mate has made me think again i will be attending the doc's in the near future and getting myself tested.

A sub note it is Tony's funeral on Wednesday.