Taken me a while to read this as I kind of guessed what it would be about. I lost my Dad in February to the **** that is cancer, not 5 months after my son was born and to be honest I still don't know if I'm comming or going!!! There's a history of the big C in my family and it scares me that it will get me too! Fair play to you Staines, for having the balls (pardon the pun) to post this and I wish you nothing but the best. I don't know you, I haven't even met you but your in my thoughts.
As previously said, many, many more men die WITH prostate cancer rather than OF it!! From what you say the specialist says Staines, sounds like it's been caught well early so stay really positive mate!
respect R's as I still think of my old man everyday ... it never leaves you .. but in time we all adapt.
To you rrrrs and to DT, Col and those who've lost your dads, my condolences. It'll come as little surprise to some to learn that I'm one of those who never had one! Might seem a bit glib given the context of this thread. It's not meant to be. It's just that all this reminded me of a question I asked a work mate just after she'd lost her dad who was very close to her. I asked her, given all the pain of loss, had she had the chance to swap places with me not having to deal with such bereavement, would she? You'd probably understand her answer better than I. It was a clear and definite NO. Not because my situation's so difficult (it isn't) but for everything that comes with our mortality, her dad was soooo precious to her. Good on her - and you all.
Staines, I read your post with great interest. It must have been very difficult to put all of that into words, in fact it took a lot of courage, and it's that courage that will see you through this. I will be sending positive thoughts through my ethernet cable as I'm sure will all my fellow not606r's
Wow, brave stuff Staines, and all the best to you in getting through what must be a very hard time. Quite a lot of very moving posts on here by others too, and it really brings home how special this board can be when it's at it's best. Let's leave the bickering and get back to what's important, not least of all a certain little football club in Shepherds Bush.
Lost my Dad to the dreaded C 5 years ago. Still hurts like hell. Thanks for telling us your story Staines, sorry it has taken so long to read it but I've been off mark for a while. I really hope that everything goes well for you mate. A stark warning to all of us to take notice of what our bodies are telling us. God Bless.
Not that I want to turn this into a men's health forum, but I would like to reinforce Staines' message regarding not being a bloke about your health. On the morning of the day Staines posted this thread, I woke up feeling a bit ropey. First piss stop of the day, noticed an alarming amount of blood (any at all is alarming, believe me) and a thumping pain developed in my left kidney area. I'm not a clinician, but have worked in and around healthcare for 20 years, and even I thought 'this is not one that you hope will go away', so a couple of hours later was at the GP. No more blood in the piss, pain had gone. The GP ( and me to be fair) thought it couldn't be kidney stones as I wasn't in enough pain. This was not good news as the alternative explanations were potentially deeply unpleasant, including a couple of things covered in this thread. Booked in to see a urologist the next week, felt rough in the kidneys the next day, but fine after that. Arrive at the hospital, to discover the urologist is.........the dad of one of my daughter's classmates, a man who I have shared a few drinks with on occasion.......and one of the first things he does is the digital prostate examination, a genuine what the **** moment. He's pretty convinced its nothing nasty, but wants to do a few more tests, but not so urgently as to cancel my holiday. CT scan of the kidney and bladder yesterday, back in hospital this morning for a cystoscopy, which involves my mate the urologist sliding a camera up the old fella into the bladder for a look around. This is an experience to avoid telling your grandchildren about, but worth it to get the all clear message. Then the bugger tells me he knew it would be ok as the CT scan showed a couple of kidney stones in situ. Now on meds which may break them up but will be going in for some kind of star wars laser treatment in a couple of weeks to blast the bastards. Thankfully under general anaesthetic this time. Turns out passing a kidney stone is not always agony. But even if in no pain, leaving them alone will eventually destroy your kidney. Lads, any issues you have, follow Staines' advice GET YOURSELF CHECKED FAST. Also get yourself referred to a specialist, GPs are largely a clearing house, they cant be expected to know everything. One thing I do know is the earlier the diagnosis, the better the outcome. In the words of the great Jack Rebney " right, that's it, I'm gonna slate this ****er" Apologies for boring you with this.
SB- certainly I'm sure you havn't bored any one with this at all. As with the point of my OP, it's good for us fellas to talk about things like this 'cos when we do the taboo is broken. Take care mate and u hope all is soon well with you. Ps Welcome to the DRE club....... Fun ain't it
SB, I know where your coming from, ive had kidney stones in the past and been thru lipsotripy,which is supposed to break the stones up,after 3 attempts which all failed it was 4 trips to hospital over the course of 9 months to get rid of the buggers, all clear now but have to have 6 monthly visits to the hospital for check ups,the removal of the stents is bar far the worst part of the process.
Good luck with it all SB, your GP will act as a sort of guide to the specialists very quickly and a prompt diagnosis is good mentally as well as physically.
