Prostate Cancer - My Experience

[barnett468]

bleedin ozzie's. 

[barnett468]

bleedin ozzie's. 

or should it be "bloody ozzie's.", i'm so confused? 

[malscar]

That is OK, we understand you have problems understanding strine being a septic.

[BLINDMAN]

Back home today, a bit sore & sorry but everything went well.
I have a new best friend strapped to my right leg, that needs to be emptied regularly, for the next week.
I will have the results back soon. Fingers crossed. 

[mcarnage59]

Back home today, a bit sore & sorry but everything went well.
I have a new best friend strapped to my right leg, that needs to be emptied regularly, for the next week.
I will have the results back soon. Fingers crossed.

 

[barnett468]

Glad you at least feel well enough to come on here and update everyone. You will feel much better after the week is over. Perhaps we could cheer you up a little in the meantime by making fun of fitzy although that's kind of unfair because it is so easy to do. 

[malscar]

All the best Andy.

[v8ford70]

I have just received my results of my first blood & urine tests since my operation approx 11 weeks ago, & my PSA is now 0.008 which my Urologist said is the lowest reading that the lab can detect which was Very Great news after a long and anxious wait (next blood & urine tests in 6 months time).But unfortunately I am still having problems controlling my bladder.My Urologist said everyone is different & some take longer than others to regain control.Just keep doing my pelvic floor exercises & drink approx 1.5 litres of water daily (which I have been doing) & be patient (which is difficult).
I hope Andy (Blindman) is doing ok, I sent him a PM when he returned Home after his operation but haven't heard any thing.
I hope & pray that the viewers that have read this Topic are spreading the word to family & friends & are doing something themselves about monitoring the condition of their Prostate . Cheers Phil

[BLINDMAN]

Great news Phil, I'm so glad everything is looking good for you.

I'm sorry I hadn't responded to your PM. I had some post Op problems with a partial collapsed lung & infection, so was back in hospital.
Getting on top of all that now & my results are good so far but the bladder control has me a bit blue at times. Have had a few accidents while in public.
My PSA follow up is in 2 weeks, so am hoping for a good result then.

Going for a drive today, to forget about it for awhile 

[v8ford70]

Andy sorry to hear that you had post op problems,but great to hear you've got thru them ok. I'm also battling the bladder control (very depressing) so I know exactly what you are going thru. Keep the pelvic floor exercises up but don't over do them & keep your fluids up. All the Best wishes for your PSA results in 2 weeks. Just PM me if you would like to talk
 anytime.Regards Phil

[Johnwick88]

Example of an ultrasound affected by prostate cancer (ultrasound can be used to guide a biopsy). Cancer develops from the tissues of the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system when cells will mutate to spread so uncontrollably.

[v8ford70]

A lot has happened since my last post.Very Good news was that my 2nd PSA result came back at >.008 which again is the lowest that the machine can detect (next PSA test in 6 months time),but I am still battling bladder control.I have been going to the Mater Hospital 3 times a week & sitting on a magnetic chair for 20 minutes a session,which sends pulses thru to your pelvic floor muscles to strengthen them ,been doing this for approx 4 months which has improved my bladder control a fair bit. I have joined the Rockhampton Prostate Society & hope to be able to help there especially on the awareness side.While at one of our meetings I spoke to the Prostate Nurse from the Rockhampton Base Hospital & she said that the youngest patient she has dealt with was 38 years old,so it is important to pass this onto our sons & friends to check & monitor their prostate health.My thoughts are :- do you want to enjoy fishing with your sons before & when you are retired,do you want to walk your daughter down the aisle on her wedding day,do you want to enjoy playing & watching your Grandchildren grow up,do you want to enjoy your retirement with your wife or partner, Do you......Well make sure that you monitor your Prostate health & then there's a good chance you will.Please pass on these words. Best wishes to all,Regards Phil

[mcarnage59]

Sorry to bust in on this post but I have a question. In the past 20 or more years I have had two Male GP's neither of which thinks that a precautionary physical prostrate examination is necessary and as a consequence I have been having annual PSA tests.

I do suffer Benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) and have had ultrasound to confirm that. I was put on meds but didn't like the side effects so have been trying to get by on Saw Palmetto, which have definitely helped decrease the number of night time pisses.

I recently visited a third GP (female) and she indicated that the PSA test is not reliable and that a physical examination was necessary. It was my first visit and I didn't want to do that on the day. So I'm interested in the informed opinion of those with experience on this forum.

Cheers Mark

[BLINDMAN]

Thanks for the update Phil, great news on the PSA results & it sounds like your doing everything you can to improve your bladder control.

My results are good also & I'm about 90% recovered with the water works. Erectile treatment is OUR next challenge as a mood killing injection is require to create any movement there. Anyway it's better then the alternate.


Mark, the physical inspection is by no means pleasant but the peace of mind knowing what is going on is worth it. Close your eyes and think happy thoughts.

[russ68]

Hi Mark,
I'm 61 and much the same as you I have the enlarged prostate, confirmed by ultrasound and PSA tests around 5 to 6. Normal should be 1 -2. I also did not like the meds to improve flow and Saw Palmetto did little for me. I have had two of the digital tests that the GP and specialist thought were ok. An MRI showed nothing. After 18 months the specialist wanted to do a biopsy which is somewhat invasive - but you're out to it. Still all clear. I would definitely go ahead and get the physical exam so you get some feedback - one way or another. It's not the greatest way to spend your time but it's over before you know it.
Cheers Russ.

[barnett468]

Sorry to bust in on this post but I have a question. In the past 20 or more years I have had two Male GP's neither of which thinks that a precautionary physical prostrate examination is necessary and as a consequence I have been having annual PSA tests.

I do suffer Benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) and have had ultrasound to confirm that. I was put on meds but didn't like the side effects so have been trying to get by on Saw Palmetto, which have definitely helped decrease the number of night time pisses.

I recently visited a third GP (female) and she indicated that the PSA test is not reliable and that a physical examination was necessary. It was my first visit and I didn't want to do that on the day. So I'm interested in the informed opinion of those with experience on this forum.

Cheers Mark

What do you mean by physical exam?

An enlarged prostate can only be determined to be benign by having around 15 core samples taken, and even then if it is cancerous, they can still miss the cancerous spot, just ask me how i know.

 She is correct as to the psa level not being a perfect indicator but it is typically more accurate than not.

[mcarnage59]

What do you mean by physical exam?

  Finger up the arse!! does that need further translation 

And thanks for the advice. I'll go and have it done.

[scedd1]

What do you mean by physical exam?

  Finger up the arse!! does that need further translation 

This reminds me of when i had my last annual checkup.
Do you think i should change dentists? 

[barnett468]

This reminds me of when i had my last annual checkup.
Do you think i should change dentists? 

What's their phone number?

[barnett468]

  Finger up the arse!! does that need further translation 

And thanks for the advice. I'll go and have it done.

Jesus, that is the very fist thing any urologist does here. Cant believe they haven't done it to you yet. I looked for a good looking female urologist then just kept making monthly appointments. 

[Dwayne]

the very fist thing

I initially thought it was just a typo 

[barnett468]

I initially thought it was just a typo 

Well, they like to be very  thorough here. 

[Dwayne]

That also helps explain why American car seats are so much wider 🤔

[barnett468]

That also helps explain why American car seats are so much wider 🤔

...and so much softer. 

[v8ford70]

Just an update & to keep this topic ALIVE & a REMINDER if you haven't done anything yet about monitoring your prostate health to PLEASE start.I had my third consultation & PSA result one day ago & the news was very good with my reading at >.008 which again is the lowest that the machine can detect & no change from my previous other two earlier results since my operation (approx 15 Months ago ).Next PSA test & consultation is in another 6 months time.My bladder control has improved (about 80%) & I am still going to the Mater Hospital 3 times a week & sitting on a magnetic chair for 20 minutes a session (been doing this for 11 months).Next Friday I have to see a surgeon with regards to having an operation to patch up a small Hernia which has appeared near one of my incisions (probably due to over exertion). I hope that everyone that have had op's are well on the road to full recovery.We are very very fortunate to be alive,unlike the other approx 70 men (Husbands,Fathers,Grandfathers,Uncles,Mates etc) that pass away EVERY WEEK in Australia from Prostate Cancer.Approx 20,000 diagnosed each year in Australia with Prostate Cancer.Please spread & keep spreading the word about Men's Health & help possibly in saving someones life as well as your own.Best Wishes to all,Regards Phil