Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => The Knowledge => Health & Fitness => Topic started by: Viking on 08 February, 2013, 10:25:50 am
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Anyone had a prostate biopsy. If, so, was it bad and were there any side effects. Don't ask me why I need to know this. :'(
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A pal of mine had one a few years ago and no longer has a prostate to be opsied. I don't remember him describing it as being an especially nasty experience.
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Not me, but all the best :thumbsup:
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Two friends have had this done in the last five years (happily both benign). Their description can best be summarised as'uncomfortable and undignified' but I don't think particularly painful. The appointment letter did advise having someone with them to take them home afterwards as they might feel a bit shaky. Best wishes.
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Thanks for the responses. TBH I expected more people to have some experience but I guess I am the first on YACF. Hey! Ho!
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The appointment letter did advise having someone with them to take them home afterwards as they might feel a bit shaky.
That'll be to do with the sedative.
Sorry I don't have any experience of prostate biopsy myself, just experience of sedation for procedures. The sedative may not feel like it's doing much, but should make you feel less nervous, at least. I felt perfectly capable of riding a bike or bus afterwards, but they insisted on me not going home on my own.
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I've had one prior to my operation to reduce it. Not the most fun I've ever had, but beyond being uncomfortable and feeling slightly self-conscious, it is not too bad. Certainly nowhere near my worst medical experience.
My way of dealing with the many problems I have had recently is to try to go into emotional "shut down" mode. What will be, will be. Trust your Doctors to do what they do and allow yourself to accept that for the period you are in their care you have no control.
Good luck. I have had, and all my friends and family when they have had problems, nothing but amazingly competent (and often brilliant) treatment and kindness.
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OK, looks like I have to have a biopsy. Went to the consultant on Monday and he says things are not quite as they should be. To be honest, I am more than a little worried. Just waiting for an appointment.
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Finger's crossed it turns out to be storm in teacup,so to speak
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OK, looks like I have to have a biopsy. Went to the consultant on Monday and he says things are not quite as they should be. To be honest, I am more than a little worried. Just waiting for an appointment.
Fingers crossed for you.
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Hope all goes well
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Hope it all goes ok for you.
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Well, went for the results yesterday and biopsy result is positive, I have Prostate cancer! Gutted! Next step is a MRI scan to see if it has spread anywhere else. Hopefully not but whatever it we mean a serious disruption to my cycling year, not to mention the rest of my life. I will have to get some touring in before all the treatment bit kicks off. I am not a happy bunny. Just a wee bit scared are well if I was honest.
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Hopefully all will be OK, Viking. The recovery rates are pretty good, I believe.
When my pal went through this the NHS were operating a "wait and see" policy, I think on the grounds that that was what the Scandinavians were doing. In the end the consultant decided to remove his prostate. When Mel asked him what happened to the "wait and see" policy, he was told "The Swedes don't do that any more". I think they had waited, and seen, rather too often.
Now several years after his op, Mel is fine. We go for long walks (when the weather is good) and every so often he goes for a test on his PSAs (prostate-specific antigens) to see if there has been a recurrence, but so far so good.
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Well, went for the results yesterday and biopsy result is positive, I have Prostate cancer! Gutted! Next step is a MRI scan to see if it has spread anywhere else. Hopefully not but whatever it we mean a serious disruption to my cycling year, not to mention the rest of my life. I will have to get some touring in before all the treatment bit kicks off. I am not a happy bunny. Just a wee bit scared are well if I was honest.
Ah, sorry to read this.
Don't wear yourself out before starting treatment. Being healthy and fit helps a lot.
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My brother in law had a rather large malignant prostate tumour removed last year. He has now been given the all clear and his nether regions are gradually returning to full function (not that I really required that information, but he seemed to need to tell - fair enough).
Sorry to read this but positive notes are always good I hope and it can only be a good thing if it's been spotted early enough. My very best wishes to you, and there but for the grace go us all...
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Best wishes Viking, hope all goes well.
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I hope that everything goes well for you Viking. Good luck!
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Good luck, hope the medics treat you well and your recovery isn't too hard.
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Sorry to hear this, Viking.
I hope the treatment goes well.
Good luck.
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Good luck Viking. Did you have any symptoms or was this out of the blue?
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Sorry to hear this, Viking.
I hope the treatment goes well.
Good luck.
Plus one to that Hope that the treatment goes well and is successful.
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I am very sorry to hear this, and I will have you in my thoughts as you go through treatment. The very best of luck.
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Good luck Viking. Did you have any symptoms or was this out of the blue?
I had some minor water works issues that, in the end, were not related. However, the Doc decided to do a few tests to cover all the bases. One was a PSA test which, whilst not particularly high, was more than double my last one 3 years ago. That started the ball rolling and it now seems impossible to stop it. I have a MRI scan on 2nd May. That should show the extent of it (Consultant thinks it is confined to the prostate itself). Then we can decide on treatment options. I have already been through the various options with her but until we get the results of the MRI, we will not know which one is for me. I am having a bit of difficulty dealing with this and my wife is very upset, naturally. I still haven't got the go ahead for a nice shinney Ti frame yet and I am worried that I will never get the chance now.
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As others have expressed Vikingers, I too am sorry to hear about a positive result, and the worry for you I guess at the moment, is the 'not knowing' period now, and leaves you with plenty of time to fret, not only personally but the worries your wife will be having.
Yours is not an isolated case it seems, with hundreds of chaps in Britain being diagnosed, and I was wondering if there is perhaps a support group you can call upon (perhaps in your area), so you can voice your concerns and which they may have answers to help alleviate some of those concerns?
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Good luck Viking. Did you have any symptoms or was this out of the blue?
I had some minor water works issues that, in the end, were not related. However, the Doc decided to do a few tests to cover all the bases. One was a PSA test which, whilst not particularly high, was more than double my last one 3 years ago. That started the ball rolling and it now seems impossible to stop it. I have a MRI scan on 2nd May. That should show the extent of it (Consultant thinks it is confined to the prostate itself). Then we can decide on treatment options. I have already been through the various options with her but until we get the results of the MRI, we will not know which one is for me. I am having a bit of difficulty dealing with this and my wife is very upset, naturally. I still haven't got the go ahead for a nice shinney Ti frame yet and I am worried that I will never get the chance now.
You've got a whole forum full of weird reprobates rooting for you, if that helps at all.
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Sorry to hear the news Viking. Sounds like it was caught quite early, though, so the chances are good.
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Yes. Though obviously you'll know more after the MRI.
Very treatable, prostate cancer.
I think you should start ogling Ti bikes. The odds are definitely on your side.
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Fingers for you Viking. At least you will know more after the MRI.
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Thanks for your kind thoughts everyone. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I have read just about everything on this so far and I know that the odds are very much in my favour. It's still a worry though but, chin up, I am busy rebuilding 20 year old mountain bike at the moment and I am determined I am going to get the use out of it. :thumbsup:
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Sounds like you've caught it early enough, so hopefully you'll make a full & speedy recovery :)
My dad was diagnosed about 8 years ago at the age of 59. The treatments are getting better and better through research & when my dad had his, he was given the option of low intrusive radian pellet treatment which cured it. There were some side effects (hot flushes, needing to pee lots & feeling very tired during treatment, etc), but these have now long gone & his PSA checks have (so far) all been good since.
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Don't worry the man said; things could be worse.
And, sure enough, they got worse.
Had the results of my MRI scan on Friday and the news is not good. Contrary to popular opinion, the tumour appears to have breached the prostate capsule. This cuts down the treatment options and reduces the cure rate from 85% to 60% for surgery or 65% for external radio therapy. Since the popular holiday destination for prostate cancer seems to be the bones, I now have to have a bone scan as well. Consultant says this is just a precaution but that is what she said about the MRI scan. It also seems that some long term side effects are almost guaranteed due to the need to take out nerve bundles as well. I am well gutted. I have visions of my wife collecting on my works death in service insurance cover although the consultant says I should not worry too much at this stage. Can't sleep, and when I do the nightmares are pretty scary. I feel like my whole world has fallen apart.
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Really sorry to hear this. My uncle had prostate cancer, diagnosed some many years ago and is now quite happily recovered.
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Yeah, not much one can say or do but keep the positive vibes coming your way.
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So sorry to hear that fingers crossed for you
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I'm sorry Viking. And I know it feels like your world has fallen apart, but you have to focus on how you can help yourself recover. Which I'm sure you will very soon. You have to look at the positives, and the hope that you have, and put aside all those thoughts of your wife picking up insurance. You will drive yourself insane that way, and just fall apart.
As hard as it is, you need to stay strong now, for you and for her, and focus on beating the thing. Your chances are good, the treatments are very good, and as your consultant has said, you shouldn't worry too much at this stage.
For cancer elsewhere, I have been given chances well down in the single figures. But whilst there is a chance, I'm fighting for it. You have to as well. It's the only thing to do. It sucks, for sure, but you have to stay positive. The odds are still in your favour.
Sending loads of positive vibes. You can get through this, really. Fingers crossed n all that.
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Hoping for good news and sending positive vibes.
Prostate cancer is usually very hormone sensitive and even if it can't be cured, hormone treatment can keep the baddies at bay for a very long time.
There's no denying the news is dreadful. Nobody has a permanent hold on life but in the right hands you are likely to be around for a long time yet.
Think positive!
We are all hoping for the best for you.
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Others have more practical thoughts and I don't have that knowledge or experience so I shall just send you good wishes and hope you're able to get out of this scary place to somewhere a bit less scary soonest whatever the outcome.
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Sorry, no experience or anecdotes, but many good wishes.
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Ah, shit that's bad news. sorry to hear it.
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Best wishes, Viking. They'll always be a sympathetic ear on YACF if ever you want to post updates.
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All the best from me too. Stay positive.
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More good wishes from me.
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Thanks everyone. I am trying to stay positive but it is not easy when you thought you were invincible. Working hard and getting as much cycling in as I can. I find cycling a great stress reliever. :thumbsup:
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Bone Scan booked for Tuesday 28th. :(
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Good luck Viking.
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Good luck. Will be thinking of you.
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All the best
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*waves good vibes Viking's way* :)
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Good luck!
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Fingers have been crossed today.
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Aye, here too.
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Fingers crossed, Viking!
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Any news Viking? How did it go?
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Thanks for all the good wishes. The bone scan happened yesterday but they say that results will not be available for 7-10 days. More waiting. I am going to wait until the end of this week and start badgering them in the hope that they will speed up the results. I am assuming it is because of the backlog that the Radiologist has in processing the scan results. That was the case with the MRI scan. I will keep my fingers crossed but all this waiting for results is doing my head in. They never wait this long on Holby City! In in the morning, scan, results, op and home in time for Eastenders. :) Keep you posted.
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Good luck!
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Good news! Just had a call from specialist cancer nurse to say that preliminary look at bone scan shows no abnormalities. Phew! What a relief. Still got the primary to deal with but at least it hasn't taken over the rest of my body. Visiting grandson in Harpenden just now but hope for another meeting with consultant next week to agree treatment. :thumbsup:
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Great news, Vikling!
Good luck with the rest of the treatment!
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;D :thumbsup:
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Oh that's great Viking. You must be so relieved.
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Good news, Viking! Let's hope those bloody PSAs are kept at bay.
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Nice to hear some good news on this front. :thumbsup: Good luck with the treatment.
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That is great news and I hope that means that you can now move forward with the treatment as quickly as possible.
All the very best for this - you're in my thoughts.
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Great news all the best for the future
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Excellent news
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Excellent news
+1 :thumbsup:
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In the last two years two family and friends (not blood relatives) in their 70s have been diagnosed with it, really badly (8 on a scale of 1 to 10 or however they measure it). One had radiotherapy, one had chemo, and both are now clear. It is evidently quite treatable even at an advanced stage, provided you're willing to let them get in there and kick its arse.
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Nice one about no more than just the primary. I hope you have something nice to treat yourself after all that worry. And all the best for treating what is their and hope they kick its arse!
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Phew.
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In the last two years two family and friends (not blood relatives) in their 70s have been diagnosed with it, really badly (8 on a scale of 1 to 10 or however they measure it). One had radiotherapy, one had chemo, and both are now clear. It is evidently quite treatable even at an advanced stage, provided you're willing to let them get in there and kick its arse.
Isn't this one of those nasties that actually has a higher mortality rate in under-50s than is does in old buggers?
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Excellent news!
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Update on the situation so far. It seems to have been dragging on for months; Oh, it has. I am having a radical prostatectomy on 20th July at Addenbrookes in Cambridge. I will be off the bike for at least 6 weeks (stink!) I am hoping the side effects are not too bad and I can get them under control sooner rather than later. At least things are moving now. I am fed up with tests and scans. It has more or less put paid to my audax season, not that I had that much planned anyway but I did have a couple of 200s and a 100 in my diary and I was hoping to give the Snow Roads permanent a go later in the year. That will defo be off now. Wish me luck, I am dreading it. Operating theatres and me do not good bed fellows make (no pun intended). Will be staying in Cambridge for a couple of weeks before heading back up to Aberdeen after the Op. :sick:
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Aah Poo :-\
Good luck with the op.
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Fingers crossed, wincingly, for you.
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Good luck!
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Good luck with it. I think you're in a good place for that sort of thing.
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Update on the situation so far. It seems to have been dragging on for months; Oh, it has. I am having a radical prostatectomy on 20th July at Addenbrookes in Cambridge. I will be off the bike for at least 6 weeks (stink!) I am hoping the side effects are not too bad and I can get them under control sooner rather than later. At least things are moving now. I am fed up with tests and scans. It has more or less put paid to my audax season, not that I had that much planned anyway but I did have a couple of 200s and a 100 in my diary and I was hoping to give the Snow Roads permanent a go later in the year. That will defo be off now. Wish me luck, I am dreading it. Operating theatres and me do not good bed fellows make (no pun intended). Will be staying in Cambridge for a couple of weeks before heading back up to Aberdeen after the Op. :sick:
Good luck Viking. Do your exercises, it really helps. In a few months all this could be a bad memory.
lots of people going through this have found it extremely helpful to share and compare experiences so
If there are any support groups near you it might be an idea to contact them.
I have nursed hundreds of people after this procedure. I wish I could show you my memories of them afterwards, coming back to say Hi and just getting on with their normal lives.
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Oh what a good post by Lindagordinho there :thumbsup:
I cannot follow that with anything profound but I certainly extend you my very best wishes. Wishing you very well sir! :)
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All the very best for the op, Viking :)
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Good luck with the op, Viking.
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I hope it all goes well and you're back on the bike ASAP!
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Good luck Viking. Cambridge isnt *that* bad.. If you need any local help, feel free to PM me.
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Good luck with the OP, Viking!
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Best of luck.
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Hi Viking
hope you are doing well
what number on the Gleeson Scale of 1 to 10....?? 10 being NASTY..I was 7
I do hope you recover soon and you get nothing but 0.??s for your PSA (0.?? is regarded as zero as there is always a bit floating about I was told
The following is a ramble about my own personal experiences after prostate cancer diagnosis. Talk about it chaps..prostate cancer is within us all.
Don't be embarrassed, the medics have seen it all before
I Have Had Ulcerative Colitis bowel disease for the last 47 years, an ex workmate got the same but was too embarrassed to see his GP. By the time I and the works manager got him to go it was too late..diagnosis to death in 6 weeks
Viking, like you I had an all round the houses trip before they discovered cancer
went to GP as was peeing a lot especially thru night
blamed it on the diabetes but tested psa levels which came back slightly elevated but "OK"
so sent to see insultant Justin case
prostate can swell with age closing the outlet etc
insultant did a TURPS, basically like coring an apple, to open up the pipe
think missus giving birth position with legs akimbo, epidural, and top of sturgeons head bobbing about on `tother side of of green sheet
6 weeks later at post op visit.......aaaaaaah!, weelll! sorrrry////////but
10%+ of the few grammes they removed are cancerous
referred to another insultant for treatment
what do you want, its 7 and the bad numbers start at 8 ?
OUT PLEASE
Oh good, we thought that was best too
seems they have meetings with ALL interested parties and have a vote
Hols were due, sent away to have a good one, a couple of weeks wont do any harm
suffice it to say that things went a bit awry, mystery illness 2 weeks before op
month in Darlington MH..nobody told my sturgeon
eventually had prostate out 6 months later when The James Cook at Middlesbro found out where I was
OP no problem, some other bits removed, lymph nodes etc, to check for spread. All ok
rapid recovery and chucked out a couple of days early
about 27 or close clips from inside belly button to as far south as they could go
why is there always 2 or 3 that don't want to come out
back at work after about 6 weeks...no lifting/exertions...AS IF ;D
bike after 10 or 12
PSA checks all ok, now on yearly telephone checks from oncology nurse. She sends me blood forms a couple of weeks earlier with rough tome she will call
CONS..JT will be shorter. think of prostate as knot in hose pipe and you have to cut it out, then pull the ends together to rejoin it ::-)
as they have a rummage about in some sensitive areas nerves will be damaged thus you may be offered a weekly dose of Viagra to see if it helps, if you get my drift
for 2 years I struggled with incontinence, and the medics (pis*ed myself every time I got off the saddle, and had horrendous urine infections)
it appears a similar thing to a female prolapse happens with the neck of the bladder..no support..thats how it was explained to me..SOOOOO
OP # bloody 3...fitted with an `advanced sling`..couple of staples and a bit of rope 8)
and a bloody great scar the length of my perenium (he said it would be a small cut) not to mention 2 small pea sized lumps either side of the crotch.
Much better...think they were following the Swedes again...infections were because bladder couldn`t empty properly
the last op put paid to any thoughts of JT even thinking of working again as the sturgeon said all the fibres had melded together after the prostectomy, and he had to loosen things to do his thing.
For loosen I think he meant rip apart as he /me had a bleedin` problem
Pro`s I got the sympathy vote for bike stuff from the gaffer, B+Ms new light Lumotec IQ2 luxos, new very expensive winter boots TOR Northwave from Rose..and
the Selle Italia with the mega slot, Brilliant, no pressure on perenium, something I have had bother with forever....all circa: £150 +-
So Viking, if you have got this far mate, the above is probably a worst case scenario, cr*p always happens to me
I hope sincerely that you don't have the same problems post op
the good news is
WE ARE ALIVE AND COPING
unlike my son Paul, cancer claimed him 18th May this year
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So sorry to read about your son terryb. Your strength and fortitude amaze me!
Show there's light at the end of the tunnel, Viking.
Hope all goes well.
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Sorry to hear about your son Terryb. Really sad but thanks for your experiences.
I had my op at Addenbrookes on 20th as planned. Was evicted on Sunday evening but all seemed well. Went back for a check up yesterday and to have catheter out. Again, all seems well. Everything hurts like hell but starting to ease off now. Thanks for all your kind words and advice. Much appreciated. I will let you all know how it is going from time to time but SWMBO is limiting my on line time at the minute in the name of rest and recovery. :thumbsup:
Cheers
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Good to hear it went well Viking - good luck with all else :thumbsup:
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Glad to hear it went well, Viking :)
SWMBO is limiting my on line time at the minute in the name of rest and recovery
You shouldn't have told her about POBI.
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Glad to hear the op went well,Viking.
Having had a case of prostatitis in the past, I'm hoping I wont have further issues in the future.....
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Glad to hear the op went well,Viking.
Having had a case of prostatitis in the past, I'm hoping I wont have further issues in the future.....
Had to say that, didn't I.
Now seeing GP for waterworks / prostate related issues..... ::-)
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Good luck with it being nothing too serious, Brian, and good luck to Viking again, and good luck to my Dad.
Men and their waterworks, eh? I'm glad to have nothing wrong in that area now after having all the symptoms of an enlarged prostate a few years ago. It just got better by itself.
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Best of luck, Brian.
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Well, I saw the worlds most dismissive GP, who palmed me off by saying that since nothing showed up on the urine dip strip test, there is nothing more that can be done until test results come back from the sample he'll send away for testing. So no anti-biotics, no DRE ( :thumbsup:).......
Meanwhile, cut down on coffee / tea / coke / sugary food and more healthy stuff. :P
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Methinks 'the world's most dismissive GP' is a multiple entity; there must be THOUSANDS who qualify for this title!
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Methinks 'the world's most dismissive GP' is a multiple entity; there must be THOUSANDS who qualify for this title!
Just as well, they wouldn't turn up to claim the award.
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My father got this in his mid-60s and didn't live to be 70 - that's why I fast for 8 days a month, never too late and check out this lady's lifestyle (http://www.foodalive.org/).
Very best of luck with treatment and recovery.
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Just had some good news. Had hystology results back and lymph nodes removed were clear and the margins of the prostate gland etc. they removed are clear. This apparently means that they have probably got all the cancer. Phew! What a relief. :thumbsup:
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Great stuff :thumbsup: Happy for you and hope it is all Fettled and as good as it can get soon.
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Wonderful news!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Great news, you must be very relieved!
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lol at Helen
That is really great news.
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Just had some good news. Had hystology results back and lymph nodes removed were clear and the margins of the prostate gland etc. they removed are clear. This apparently means that they have probably got all the cancer. Phew! What a relief. :thumbsup:
I've beaten cancer twice. The day you get results like this are always the best! Revel in it! :thumbsup:
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Great news, Viking!
:thumbsup:
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Thanks for your kind words everyone. I am now concentrating of recovery from the op. It's been three and a half weeks since my op so no chance of getting on the bike again yet. Might get them all serviced though, just in time for the winter. :thumbsup: ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Great news Viking. Now you can look forward to getting fit and enjoying life without worry. I know from experience that the best part of recovering from serious illness is the release from tension and anxiety. :thumbsup:
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Viking that's great news. Really pleased for you
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Wonderful, wonderful news.
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That's brilliant news Vikings. Cheers me up no end. You must have been going through hell with worry.
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Just seen this - excellent news!
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Breaking News: Just had my PSA test results taken 7 weeks post op; 0.02 (near enough undetectable). Sighs of relief all round. Now I just need to get back on the bike and fit again.
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WoW tha's great news :thumbsup:
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Breaking News: Just had my PSA test results taken 7 weeks post op; 0.02 (near enough undetectable). Sighs of relief all round. Now I just need to get back on the bike and fit again.
:thumbsup:
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Great stuff!