OZ930 Posted 10March, 2018 Report Share Posted 10March, 2018 Hi All, November, 2017: enjoyed a great drive with the crew on the "North meets South SMT", however, the drive home became pure agony plus the need to stop at every second tree. The next week, I decided to see a doctor and the "finger in the bum" check. "bit swollen top 90%, how about we check your PSA and send you to a specialist?" December 2017: "yep, swollen. We need to do an oblation to shrink the P. How's your PSA?. Oh, 4.7, bit high ( 4 is the upper level) we will do a biopsy to be safe" but it's only just over, should be ok….right? January 4 2018: couldn't find an excuse so biopsy. What a PITA ! January 9 I want to see you tomorrow………oh crap January 10 You have early-intermediate cancer. Completely operable, completely curable. Januay 14 MRI to confirm the C hasn't spread. January 18 Result negative. Good news. We operate on March 24 So as you can see this all happens quick. So regardless of whether you have symptoms or not, go and get your P and PSA checked so that you can enjoy your SMT in your P with PFA. …...and find a specialist that uses robotics or ultrasonics, not the old open cut method. it's now 2 days in hospital, not 2 weeks. I didn't write this for your sympathy ( I know how sympathethic you lot are ), I wanted to get the message out there. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAP911 Posted 10March, 2018 Report Share Posted 10March, 2018 I'd say driving a 930 puts a lot of stress in the area Seriously check mine yearly and agree with your sentiments 100% - Great to hear you got a positive outcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANF Posted 10March, 2018 Report Share Posted 10March, 2018 My wife works for the Cancer Council, I am 100% behind you! And all the best to you as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TINGY Posted 10March, 2018 Report Share Posted 10March, 2018 Sorry to hear this mate but sounds like the outcome will be good for you when it is all done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troubleshooter Posted 10March, 2018 Report Share Posted 10March, 2018 Good luck and all the best mate - I'll have to take my head outta there before seeing the Doc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZ930 Posted 10March, 2018 Author Report Share Posted 10March, 2018 and before anyone gets any ideas, the 930 is NOT for sale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko Posted 10March, 2018 Report Share Posted 10March, 2018 Thanks Brian, great advice, we are all a bit "It'll never happen to me" blokes generally. Good that yours is fixable. I would like that nice blue car though.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zelrik911 Posted 10March, 2018 Report Share Posted 10March, 2018 Thanks for posting this & making us think. Always get a PSA test added to a list of things to check for whenever you do a Blood Test. I think men get a free PSA test every 2 years - but it doesnt cost that much extra, even if you have to pay. Sort of like a cheaper PPI . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red clubbie Posted 10March, 2018 Report Share Posted 10March, 2018 Had mine removed last year.....robotic surgery. PSA Test showed a high result, so Surgeon advised removal as the best alternative for me. If you have any questions on it, you're most welcome to PM me. Cheers, Geoff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveF Posted 10March, 2018 Report Share Posted 10March, 2018 Glad to hear you are okay Oz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew F Posted 10March, 2018 Report Share Posted 10March, 2018 Hey Brian, sorry to hear about this, but I'm glad that it sounds like it's going to be a positive outcome for you. We do take our health for granted, and we often ignore the symptoms when they eventually show up. Don't just put it down to "I'm just getting old". We have to take our health more seriously. Not just for us blokes either. So if you haven't been tested, and you're of the age, get it done. Just make sure that the guy doing it is actually the doctor, and not just some random dude who's wandered in off the street.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZ930 Posted 10March, 2018 Author Report Share Posted 10March, 2018 1 hour ago, Stew F said: Hey Brian, sorry to hear about this, but I'm glad that it sounds like it's going to be a positive outcome for you. We do take our health for granted, and we often ignore the symptoms when they eventually show up. Don't just put it down to "I'm just getting old". We have to take our health more seriously. Not just for us blokes either. So if you haven't been tested, and you're of the age, get it done. Just make sure that the guy doing it is actually the doctor, and not just some random dude who's wandered in off the street.... I checked out both doctors here in Tamworth. One being, as my mate said, "an arrogent extortionist" who uses the old "open cut" method and the other from Melbourne who uses the robotics and has been for years. Guess which one I chose. I did look at doctors in Newcastle and looked into the ultra-sonic surgery they are experimenting with at the Mater Hospital but success rates, ongoing checks and probability of recurrence didn't sit well. Sounds good but still experimental. but then again, doctors only "practice" medicine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red clubbie Posted 10March, 2018 Report Share Posted 10March, 2018 I too looked at the ultra sonic surgery, but my Surgeon said better to remove it. As he said, we take it out, put it in the bin and it can't hurt you anymore. Cheers, Geoff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris-p Posted 10March, 2018 Report Share Posted 10March, 2018 Take care Brian, thinking of you. best wishes chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZ930 Posted 10March, 2018 Author Report Share Posted 10March, 2018 11 hours ago, red clubbie said: I too looked at the ultra sonic surgery, but my Surgeon said better to remove it. As he said, we take it out, put it in the bin and it can't hurt you anymore. Cheers, Geoff. That's the conclusion I came to as well, under advisement from my live in medical expert, the wife. Good to have another opinion Thanks Geoff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevMcRev Posted 13March, 2018 Report Share Posted 13March, 2018 On 10/03/2018 at 1:15 PM, ANF said: My wife works for the Cancer Council, I am 100% behind you! And all the best to you as well That is probably not where he wants you right now... In all serious though @OZ930, glad to hear you got on to it and are ok. And thanks for the reminder to get a PPI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazzieman Posted 13March, 2018 Report Share Posted 13March, 2018 PSA testing/frequency remains controversial and there is a trend to conservatism. The reason for this is the morbidity (illness etc) caused by unnecessary biopsies and indeed surgery. Current thinking is that all men should have a midlife PSA (usually aged 45-50) as it has been shown cancer developing at that age may be more progressive. This screening may pick up men with a genetic potential to develop this very common disease; some of these men have a strong family history of prostate cancer. A single raised PSA generally is not cause for alarm ; rather the speed at which it rises (PSA velocity) over months/years dictates management. A high initial PSA can be caused by prostatitis , your doctors enthusiastic rectal exam etc. If every man with a raised PSA was biopsied there would be havoc. Plus , the PSA may remain elevated in chronic prostatitis for years , and I have seen men biopsied 3 times over the years with e cancer. But with the risks and PITA of a prostate biopsy. They do up to 20-25 biopsies these days... The good news is that more urologists are biopsying via the skin , not up the bum (much less risk of infection) as was generally the case 3-4 years ago. The other good news is that other methods eg MRI scan can direct the urologist to suspicious areas within the large walnut that is the PG. The final bit of good news is that most prostate cancer (in general but totally depends upon the individual's results on biopsy and staging) is not aggressive and is confined to the prostate - the risk of dying from the cancer is very low. As long as surgery is done well , morbidity is kept minimal. The fact is that a large number of older men have prostate cancer without knowing it and it never causes them problems. In round terms , maybe 70% of 70 year olds and 80% of 80 year olds. Take advice from your (hopefully up to date ) GP as well as any surgeon/radiation oncologist consulted (who may be biased towards their approach to managing the condition). A management decision will be based on multiple factors unique to you. There are tables of risk (Partin tables) which are assessed in conjunction with other diagnostic factors. I have been reporting biopsies for 27 years and running a multidisciplinary meeting with oncologists and surgeons for 25 , if anyone wants to debate with me! All the best OZ930 my man. I'm sure all will be fine. Cheers, P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastr Posted 14March, 2018 Report Share Posted 14March, 2018 And PSA is.....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZ930 Posted 14March, 2018 Author Report Share Posted 14March, 2018 48 minutes ago, Coastr said: And PSA is.....? https://www.andrologyaustralia.org/keeping-healthy/psa-test-2/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZ930 Posted 14March, 2018 Author Report Share Posted 14March, 2018 Thankyou Tazzieman for the interesting information. I didn't know about the through the skin biopsy and infection was one of the things that really worried me before the procedure, as well as, the super antibiotic I had to take prior to and after the biopsy. I will have to tell my urologist Radiation is not an option, it scares the hell out of me. The radiation for the MRI was scary enough. You didn't mention ultra sonics as a surgical treatment. Any thoughts or information? I know it is still experimental. My other complication is that my P is swollen to the point of restricting and at times stopping flow. Thankyou for your reassuring words to not only me but to others that read this thread Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3legs Posted 14March, 2018 Report Share Posted 14March, 2018 I have a complete checkup every year (my birthday present to myself) including the finger up the bum. I'll never forget the first time my doctor did the finger test. He is Irish and a funny bugger. There I was laying on my side on the table, pants around my ankles. This was all new to me so not really sure what to expect. Anyway he did the test and even though it was uncomfortable it wasn't that bad. Anyway I thought I would be cheeky and said to him "does this mean we are engaged"? He turned around and said "anymore cheek from you and I will give you a second opinion" I said what's that" He showed me 2 fingers. I cracked up laughing but just in case I never gave him anymore cheek especially when he has a lubed up gloved hand Take care Brian. I'm sure it will be all good eventually. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troubleshooter Posted 14March, 2018 Report Share Posted 14March, 2018 As a preventative prior to, and a help in the early stages of the big C, here's an answer .... Possibly not of much help at the moment for you OZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazzieman Posted 14March, 2018 Report Share Posted 14March, 2018 18 minutes ago, OZ930 said: I didn't know about the through the skin biopsy and infection was one of the things that really worried me before the procedure, as well as, the super antibiotic I had to take prior to and after the biopsy. I will have to tell my urologist You didn't mention ultra sonics as a surgical treatment. Any thoughts or information? I know it is still experimental. http://declanmurphy.com.au/download/patient-information/Transperineal prostate biopsy information.pdf There are other treatment options ; brachytherapy , cryotherapy etc. As with any treatment there are risks , and the efficacy varies from study to study. As long as you are receiving balanced up to date knowledge , all is good. Experimental treatment? You pays your money you take your choice. It's an "all things considered" decision that is very personal. Just don't go with green tea enemas or other hyped "natural remedies" as your first choice. 1 minute ago, Troubleshooter said: As a preventative prior to, and a help in the early stages of the big C, here's an answer .... Possibly not of much help at the moment for you OZ https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/09/11/melbourne-man-has-cyanide-poisoning-after-self-medicating-with-apricot-kernels_a_23203662/ " When the 67-year-old went into hospital for routine surgery, doctors were at a loss to figure out why the seemingly fit and healthy pensioner who didn't smoke had low levels of oxygen in his red blood cells -- something usually associated with serious illnesses like lung disease, anaemia and heart disease. "This gentleman had told me he cycles 80 kilometres a week," the patient's anaesthetist, Dr Alex Konstantatos from Alfred Hospital, told HuffPost Australia. Chatting to the man, who was in remission from prostate cancer, Konstantatos uncovered that he had been self-medicating with apricot kernels. "The gentleman involved has a scientific background and he had read that apricot kernel extract would prevent his cancer from recurring," Dr Konstantatos explained. Early in 2016, apricot kernels rose to prominence as the latest "superfood" -- touted as bursting with nutrients and cancer-fighting agents. But such claims have since been debunked, with medical experts warning of the seed's high levels of amygdalin, a substance which the human body converts into the toxic chemical, cyanide." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troubleshooter Posted 14March, 2018 Report Share Posted 14March, 2018 You have to educate yourself as fully as possible and measure the amount you ingest .... Yeah well Tassie, you have to do your extensive research from all angles possible and all sources possible to form an opinion if it''ll aid you. In my case I have done all the research a few years back in relation to various skin cancers and had success along with surgery. At one time I was eating 40 kernels a day and these days around 10 kernels a day give or take. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red clubbie Posted 14March, 2018 Report Share Posted 14March, 2018 Reminds me of the old joke..... The patient goes to the Doctor for his annual "finger up the bum" test. He sees a new Doctor, who tells him that his test could cause an erection. The patient says, no way Doc it won't happen to me. The Doctor says....I wasn't talking about you..... Cheers, Geoff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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