NFR Prostate Cancer

[cottage expat]

All the very best, GW!

[Citizen Smith]

Your sense of humour and inner strength is keeping you going GW! As someone who has had (only) Stage Two cancer(I had a successful prostatectomy), I salute your courage and fortitude. All the very best for the future.

[C Block]

Quick update, I had my procedure on my prostate on September 15th at Heatherwood Hospital, all went well and they were excellent, but when I left Hospital I had a catheter fitted,
Two days later I had to go to Frimley Park Hospital to have it removed, and that's where all my problems started,
When they took it out I couldn't pee ,eventually I passed some blood clots,so they put the catheter back in and sent me home ,
I've got a pretty good pain threshold but that evening I've never known pain like it, we phoned 111 and eventually they instructed some paramedics to come to us, but before they could get to us I managed to pass a big clump of blood clots, and after that things started to work normally,
And all was well up to last Saturday when I started to feel really unwell and parts of my anatomy started to swell,
Anyway, yesterday I ended up in A&E via my GP and I've now been admitted into Frimley Park Hospital,
Just as I think I've hit rock bottom something else seems to turn up,
Sorry to have to offload all that but I'm feeling very sorry for myself and very low 😞

[I Ronic]

Quick update, I had my procedure on my prostate on September 15th at Heatherwood Hospital, all went well and they were excellent, but when I left Hospital I had a catheter fitted,
Two days later I had to go to Frimley Park Hospital to have it removed, and that's where all my problems started,
When they took it out I couldn't pee ,eventually I passed some blood clots,so they put the catheter back in and sent me home ,
I've got a pretty good pain threshold but that evening I've never known pain like it, we phoned 111 and eventually they instructed some paramedics to come to us, but before they could get to us I managed to pass a big clump of blood clots, and after that things started to work normally,
And all was well up to last Saturday when I started to feel really unwell and parts of my anatomy started to swell,
Anyway, yesterday I ended up in A&E via my GP and I've now been admitted into Frimley Park Hospital,
Just as I think I've hit rock bottom something else seems to turn up,
Sorry to have to offload all that but I'm feeling very sorry for myself and very low 😞

You offload as much as you want. I read something the other day. That said basically we don't understand how anybody feels, whether it's thoughts or pain. It's a guess wrapped in sympathy.
You're actually doing us all a favour by pushing us to get tested and keep an eye on things.
I hope you feel more comfortable with each day. You know where we are if not!

[Ludlow Richard]

Quick update, I had my procedure on my prostate on September 15th at Heatherwood Hospital, all went well and they were excellent, but when I left Hospital I had a catheter fitted,
Two days later I had to go to Frimley Park Hospital to have it removed, and that's where all my problems started,
When they took it out I couldn't pee ,eventually I passed some blood clots,so they put the catheter back in and sent me home ,
I've got a pretty good pain threshold but that evening I've never known pain like it, we phoned 111 and eventually they instructed some paramedics to come to us, but before they could get to us I managed to pass a big clump of blood clots, and after that things started to work normally,
And all was well up to last Saturday when I started to feel really unwell and parts of my anatomy started to swell,
Anyway, yesterday I ended up in A&E via my GP and I've now been admitted into Frimley Park Hospital,
Just as I think I've hit rock bottom something else seems to turn up,
Sorry to have to offload all that but I'm feeling very sorry for myself and very low 😞

Really sorry to hear about your experience, and I hope that things improve for you quickly. At least you are in a hospital where they can take steps to deal with the problem. Hopefully you get people who understand prostates, bladders and the mysterious internal working of older men's systems. My experience of surgeons poking around internally is that it usually leads to bleeding and possible clots, and bleeding can happen (seemingly randomly) a couple of weeks later. One bit of advice is avoid permanent catheters if possible. I've been sent home from hospital with them twice and they are uncomfortable and restrictive. Much better to have a single use catheter which you insert yourself to enable you to pee......

[SuperFreeman]

Ok boys

Lets start with a few things

It is not "discussed" by men for various reasons, we need to look at it

I have been diagnosed with it but luckily enough it is only about 6 months old and I have had fantastic care from the NHS and an amazing surgeon who has explained everything so well so I will survive

Often there are no outward signs so when you find out it can be too late

Given that
1. It is a taboo subject - all of you get tested please. Its only a blood test, you dont get a finger up your ar5e. Its now 50+ years old people who are getting it
2. I am lucky that it has been caught early and will probably die from other thing than the cancer so again get tested so you can catch it early
3. 1 in 8 men get it and if caught early enough they all live long lives 10 years plus

Thanks for posting this. It's a subject none of us of a certain age want to face up to. Good to hear all ok.

[cookieg]

It is sh!te getting old. I chew gavascon tablets like they are going out fashion, finger up the backside every year and the final nail in the coffin was when the pharmacist told me I didn't have to pay for my prescriptions because of my age.

All joking aside, there really does need to be more done for men's health not only physical but mental. It is amazing what has happened to breast cancer treatment but men seem to be overlooked in areas such as prostrate cancer which is so easy to monitor.

Wishing you all well who are going through any form of cancer or any other health issues for that matter at this moment in time.

[bog]

No apologies ever needed C Block. Good luck mate.     

[Jim©]

Quick update, I had my procedure on my prostate on September 15th at Heatherwood Hospital, all went well and they were excellent, but when I left Hospital I had a catheter fitted,
Two days later I had to go to Frimley Park Hospital to have it removed, and that's where all my problems started,
When they took it out I couldn't pee ,eventually I passed some blood clots,so they put the catheter back in and sent me home ,
I've got a pretty good pain threshold but that evening I've never known pain like it, we phoned 111 and eventually they instructed some paramedics to come to us, but before they could get to us I managed to pass a big clump of blood clots, and after that things started to work normally,
And all was well up to last Saturday when I started to feel really unwell and parts of my anatomy started to swell,
Anyway, yesterday I ended up in A&E via my GP and I've now been admitted into Frimley Park Hospital,
Just as I think I've hit rock bottom something else seems to turn up,
Sorry to have to offload all that but I'm feeling very sorry for myself and very low 😞

My old man has been having similar cancer stuff done to the bladder and can echo what Ludlow said, the catheter was the route of all troubles and infections.
He was feeling low, then fell over on a dodgy bit of pavement, broke & dislocated his arm, broke ribs, collar bone and cut above the eye. To make it worse, the ambulance couldn't get there for 2 hours, so he walked to St Georges!
Try not to feel too sorry for yourself, there's always some sunshine around the corner!
 

[WindyCity]

Quick update, I had my procedure on my prostate on September 15th at Heatherwood Hospital, all went well and they were excellent, but when I left Hospital I had a catheter fitted,
Two days later I had to go to Frimley Park Hospital to have it removed, and that's where all my problems started,
When they took it out I couldn't pee ,eventually I passed some blood clots,so they put the catheter back in and sent me home ,
I've got a pretty good pain threshold but that evening I've never known pain like it, we phoned 111 and eventually they instructed some paramedics to come to us, but before they could get to us I managed to pass a big clump of blood clots, and after that things started to work normally,
And all was well up to last Saturday when I started to feel really unwell and parts of my anatomy started to swell,
Anyway, yesterday I ended up in A&E via my GP and I've now been admitted into Frimley Park Hospital,
Just as I think I've hit rock bottom something else seems to turn up,
Sorry to have to offload all that but I'm feeling very sorry for myself and very low 😞

Wow Block.  You're having exactly same symptoms I had after my procedure (brachytherapy) some years ago.  Don't worry, it gets better.  Just give it time.  Was catheterized with foley bag for a couple of months.  Could not pee on my own.  I did experience a time when testicles became very enlarged.  Some meds settled down.  Eventually learned how to self cath, which really was an improvement over the permanent cath.  Needed to stay near home to be able to pee as needed, so worked from home during this time, maybe total of about 3-4 months before I was able to pee on my own.  I was in sales, was lucky that my employer allowed me to work from home, and if I had made contacts that required personal visits, my sales manager went in my place.  So all worked out.  My reaction though to the procedure was unusual.  Will get better for you Block I am sure, it's all about time.  Peace on good man.....

[WindyCity]

I again need to speak out on something I've seen throughout this discussion.  Several posters claim the digital rectal exam is not needed, just the yearly blood test.  NOT CORRECT.  Very important to get the yearly blood work up (PSA) AND the digital.  There are cases where an abnormality of the prostate gland can be detected through this exam, even though ones' PSA numbers are 'good'.  If your doc does not offer to do this or feels it's not necessary, request anyway.  I know it's unpleasant, but it is part of giving yourself good mens health in this regard.

[ScalleysDad]

As has been said C Block absolutely no need to apologise.
Two things we push in our support process. 1. Take the small wins be it a good breakfast, a comfortable morning or avoiding any spillages. 2. Create an outlet for your thoughts, feelings and musings. Conversation can be difficult so write it all down. It doesn't have to be a rigid diary but pen and paper allows for flexibility , doodling and prevarication. A recent post treatment patient invented somebody to write to so he could include his wife and daughter as characters in his story and not the recipients as it were. I did something similar years ago and called it Circle the Wagon. Write a page, take the win.

The old digital exam is a great conversation starter. If the examiner is a lady the least you can do is ask for her middle name.

Good luck with it all. Vent away, it's quite a journey.

[Twig]

Quick update, I had my procedure on my prostate on September 15th at Heatherwood Hospital, all went well and they were excellent, but when I left Hospital I had a catheter fitted,
Two days later I had to go to Frimley Park Hospital to have it removed, and that's where all my problems started,
When they took it out I couldn't pee ,eventually I passed some blood clots,so they put the catheter back in and sent me home ,
I've got a pretty good pain threshold but that evening I've never known pain like it, we phoned 111 and eventually they instructed some paramedics to come to us, but before they could get to us I managed to pass a big clump of blood clots, and after that things started to work normally,
And all was well up to last Saturday when I started to feel really unwell and parts of my anatomy started to swell,
Anyway, yesterday I ended up in A&E via my GP and I've now been admitted into Frimley Park Hospital,
Just as I think I've hit rock bottom something else seems to turn up,
Sorry to have to offload all that but I'm feeling very sorry for myself and very low 😞

I can totally understand how dreadful and frustrated you must feel. Like there's no light at the end of a very long tunnel.  Those of us on here can only offer on line sympathy which isn't much but it's genuine and heartfelt. Keep going and the light will eventually emerge.

[Gloucester White]

Quick update, I had my procedure on my prostate on September 15th at Heatherwood Hospital, all went well and they were excellent, but when I left Hospital I had a catheter fitted,
Two days later I had to go to Frimley Park Hospital to have it removed, and that's where all my problems started,
When they took it out I couldn't pee ,eventually I passed some blood clots,so they put the catheter back in and sent me home ,
I've got a pretty good pain threshold but that evening I've never known pain like it, we phoned 111 and eventually they instructed some paramedics to come to us, but before they could get to us I managed to pass a big clump of blood clots, and after that things started to work normally,
And all was well up to last Saturday when I started to feel really unwell and parts of my anatomy started to swell,
Anyway, yesterday I ended up in A&E via my GP and I've now been admitted into Frimley Park Hospital,
Just as I think I've hit rock bottom something else seems to turn up,
Sorry to have to offload all that but I'm feeling very sorry for myself and very low 😞

Sorry to learn what you are going through C Block. It's important to try to keep positive. Keep telling yourself 'this will pass'. Hope you recover soon.

[Somerset Fulham]

Ah lads, keep on keeping on - you are all doing brililantly.  You really are.

And C-Block, crikey that sounds bloody awful. You whinge away and I hope you get clear soon.

[RaySmith]

All the very best to you C Block, hope things are starting to improve for you.

Thank you for sharing - takes some guts, but this can only help the rest of us here, to read of your experiences.

[C Block]

I got out yesterday, but I had a long standing appointment at 8.30am and was asked to keep it,
So one thing has led to another and I've been admitted back into Frimley until at least Saturday,
They've thought for a long time today that I've got Sepsis but thankfully that has just been discounted,
And in a Fulhamish way, the light at the end of my tunnel is the thought of my two tickets for Ipswich away, that's my aim now
COYSW

[Bill2]

Quick update, I had my procedure on my prostate on September 15th at Heatherwood Hospital, all went well and they were excellent, but when I left Hospital I had a catheter fitted,
Two days later I had to go to Frimley Park Hospital to have it removed, and that's where all my problems started,
When they took it out I couldn't pee ,eventually I passed some blood clots,so they put the catheter back in and sent me home ,
I've got a pretty good pain threshold but that evening I've never known pain like it, we phoned 111 and eventually they instructed some paramedics to come to us, but before they could get to us I managed to pass a big clump of blood clots, and after that things started to work normally,
And all was well up to last Saturday when I started to feel really unwell and parts of my anatomy started to swell,
Anyway, yesterday I ended up in A&E via my GP and I've now been admitted into Frimley Park Hospital,
Just as I think I've hit rock bottom something else seems to turn up,
Sorry to have to offload all that but I'm feeling very sorry for myself and very low 😞

Hope it all gets sorted soon and you are back fighting fit.

[Simunch]

Sadly you lost me at "you don't get a finger up your @rse" ...what fun is a blood test

In all seriousness though glad to hear you are doing ok and for sure will get a general health look over soon as a result of this message, as I've been putting it off

I had the finger test for the first time last year at St Helier Hospital in Sutton. I had a blood test too. A painful UTI prompted my GP to get the tests done.

I was given the all clear.

It is well worth getting the blood test given that prostrate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in UK men and the second leading cause of cancer death in men (after lung cancer), causing around 12,000 deaths annually.

[alfie]

Sadly you lost me at "you don't get a finger up your @rse" ...what fun is a blood test

In all seriousness though glad to hear you are doing ok and for sure will get a general health look over soon as a result of this message, as I've been putting it off

I had the finger test for the first time last year at St Helier Hospital in Sutton. I had a blood test too. A painful UTI prompted my GP to get the tests done.

I was given the all clear.

It is well worth getting the blood test given that prostrate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in UK men and the second leading cause of cancer death in men (after lung cancer), causing around 12,000 deaths annually.

I have a blood test tomorrow, can't say I'm looking forward to it.