Prostate Cancer - My story
Greetings all,
An XHam acquaintance suggested I write a blog re my current journey with prostate cancer - and given what I am learning as I experience this I think I will. My objective with this is simple - if my story helps another with their own experiences or even better motivates anyone to have the necessary checks and avoid what I am going through - then jobs done as the saying goes.
So - I am away on a trip about 6 hours from home and in the evening I go to the bathroom with a huge urge to pee but no matter how long I stood there I just couldn't. Its a really weird feeling - picture this...... you need to go and you let all your muscles relax as you do and then instead of it starting to flow - it just doesn't. You experience the sensation of going but not being able to go - weird. Not painful rather just a really urgent need that cant be satisfied.
So I bolt back home and see the local doctor first thing the next day. After explaining the symptoms he does what all us blokes seem to most scared of - and that is have me roll over whilst he sticks a gloved finger in my arse. It only takes seconds and at most is a little uncomfortable - doesn't hurt but clearly for most of us, this is very virginal territory. I am a pretty big bloke - ex rugby player etc however the next time a doctor says you are a big bloke - did you play rugby or a question of that sort I swear I will answer - look I am a ballerina don't let my looks fool you. In the vain hope that the next doctor who sticks in a finger in my arse will do so a little more gently - but I digress. Men it doesn't hurt - just a little embarrassing (get over it).
Lesson 1: Have your annual blood tests for PSA (look it up). When you turn 45 have them every year. If you catch this cancer early its a doddle to get over trust me.
So after being anally digitised (you know what I mean), blood taken etc off I go to work only to get a call a few hours later to advise I had been booked into a specialist that very same day / night. At the time I thought that was fantastic service but little did I realise the real reasons for everything happening so quickly. So that night I am in seeing the specialist and here comes that question again - you're a big fella - played a bit of rugby did you? Well before I even had time to test my recently devised 'ballerina' strategy he had me rolled on my side and anally digitised for the second time that day mind you - and he was out again before I had time to say boo. I guess these guys who do this for a living should be pretty good at it. Anyway - the moral of the story here is - dont be a wimp and ignore your blood tests etc just because you're concerned (note use of word concerned not scared or frightened) about having your ass fingered. Its over in a blink, barely uncomfortable and the embarrassment is over by the time you get your foundation garment back up to your waist. The specialist confirmed my direction question on the way out of his office - that I had prostate cancer - there was a significant tumor and he would be in touch shortly. Well that was cause enough for a drink and so I did.
I often find brevity in the bottom of a glass - but dont be concerned if you are reading this. I mean after all I am in the wine business so I am a licensed alcoholic and therefore have a myriad of excuses be they real or imagined re the worlds issues at any given time. Again I digress - I apologise - what I meant to say was I drink responsibly because I am in the industry.......coughs. Simply put - after a sip I thought...right fuck it....I am gonna take this head on and smash it. Do whatever I have to do and get over it asap. I have had plenty of adversity in my life so this wasn't going to slow me down.
So I am booked into day surgery for a biopsy right???? Would you know every year a group of mates go away on a 3 day weekend playing golf eating and drinking at the best establishments in whichever city or town we are in. Last trip was Adelaide - We fly down on a Thursday play 4 rounds of golf in 3 days, book restaurants well in advance, have a jacket and tie wine dinner on the Saturday night etc. Essentially we travel 1st class for this trip - you get the picture right. PS I am the trip Food and Beverage Manager (meaning I organise the food and wines etc) we even have our own credit card can you believe it. Sorry off topic again I know - the point being is I had to go and have the biopsy on the Tuesday before flying out on the Thursday. The specialist said there was always a risk of infection and that I would be a bit sore and maybe I wouldn't feel like playing golf. I asked can I go - and he left it up to me. I was on the plane on Thursday.
So the first day we play 36 holes in one day. Most of are over 50 now and its terrible at times to be so in touch with ones mortality (meaning getting older). Anyway the first 18 holes two days after a general anesthetic = not the smartest thing I've done and shit didn't I feel it? I thought I was going to die I felt so ill - mind you not much pain to speak off just felt ill. Stopped for lunch had a heap of cold water and then I felt fine. I played pretty good in the afternoon - so back on track.. Next day we had to walk 18 holes (no carts) and this is the reason for telling part of the story. Can I tell you walking 6-7kms 4 days after a prostate biopsy where they took 13 samples (meaning they stabbed the needle in there at least that many times) was not one of life's best decisions. My ass was so sore a couple of holes in that it was literally on fire.... I was walking like I was chewing a mintie (candy) in my ass cheeks every step..... All my mates thought it was hilarious I looked so funny as you couldn't call what I was doing walking - it was more like mincing down the fairways with tiny little steps.....so let me tell you the first beer at the bar afterwards was refreshing and so was the ice pack I sat on.
Lesson 2 - Have your annual check ups and PSA blood tests so you wont have doctors sticking fingers up your bum, no needles in your ass and it wont hurt playing golf. Are you paying attention here gents?
Ok back on topic (apologies). So the consultation after the biopsy results was all about next steps / treatment options etc. Now this is where it gets somewhat problematic as different treatments are dependent on which county you're in and what local health services / insurances etc will cover. Without going through the total list of options put to me it it was a no brainer that surgery was the best option. It was offered two ways - normal surgery (least expensive, large incision, longer recovery & less chance of full recovery for incontinence and erectile function) versus the latest method - the da Vinci Surgical Robot (most expensive, small incisions, shorter recovery and best chance of full recovery for incontinence and erectile functions). With such a high success rate with this surgery it has further positive ramifications for follow up treatment should cancer cells remain. Common treatment for the next stage is hormones and radiation.
So I made the decision on the spot and basically said lets do it asap. However you cant have surgery until 8 weeks after the biopsy so during that time its tests and more tests and I took the decision to use the time to get as healthy as I could - eat better drink less etc so that my recovery would be easier. I also had a Choline Pet Scan which basically finds whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body - in my case I am extremely lucky that it didnt - but let me tell you why. And gents this is really really important.
By having your annual check ups and with that - blood tests for diabetes, cholesterol etc - make sure you include a PSA test (Prostate Specific Antigen) its that easy. Elevated PSA doesnt necessarily mean you have cancer - there are other benign causes as well however, given all men will have prostate cancer at later stages in life the point is to catch it as early as possible. When caught early the procedure(s) are relatively simple with new surgery methods etc AND most importantly - the cancer is contained in the prostate and you wont have to go through what I am currently going through. If your PSA is NOT elevated then you wont have to have a digital rectal examination so fellas - there is nothing to be frightened of and no excuses from here on in.
Back for more tomorrow
An XHam acquaintance suggested I write a blog re my current journey with prostate cancer - and given what I am learning as I experience this I think I will. My objective with this is simple - if my story helps another with their own experiences or even better motivates anyone to have the necessary checks and avoid what I am going through - then jobs done as the saying goes.
So - I am away on a trip about 6 hours from home and in the evening I go to the bathroom with a huge urge to pee but no matter how long I stood there I just couldn't. Its a really weird feeling - picture this...... you need to go and you let all your muscles relax as you do and then instead of it starting to flow - it just doesn't. You experience the sensation of going but not being able to go - weird. Not painful rather just a really urgent need that cant be satisfied.
So I bolt back home and see the local doctor first thing the next day. After explaining the symptoms he does what all us blokes seem to most scared of - and that is have me roll over whilst he sticks a gloved finger in my arse. It only takes seconds and at most is a little uncomfortable - doesn't hurt but clearly for most of us, this is very virginal territory. I am a pretty big bloke - ex rugby player etc however the next time a doctor says you are a big bloke - did you play rugby or a question of that sort I swear I will answer - look I am a ballerina don't let my looks fool you. In the vain hope that the next doctor who sticks in a finger in my arse will do so a little more gently - but I digress. Men it doesn't hurt - just a little embarrassing (get over it).
Lesson 1: Have your annual blood tests for PSA (look it up). When you turn 45 have them every year. If you catch this cancer early its a doddle to get over trust me.
So after being anally digitised (you know what I mean), blood taken etc off I go to work only to get a call a few hours later to advise I had been booked into a specialist that very same day / night. At the time I thought that was fantastic service but little did I realise the real reasons for everything happening so quickly. So that night I am in seeing the specialist and here comes that question again - you're a big fella - played a bit of rugby did you? Well before I even had time to test my recently devised 'ballerina' strategy he had me rolled on my side and anally digitised for the second time that day mind you - and he was out again before I had time to say boo. I guess these guys who do this for a living should be pretty good at it. Anyway - the moral of the story here is - dont be a wimp and ignore your blood tests etc just because you're concerned (note use of word concerned not scared or frightened) about having your ass fingered. Its over in a blink, barely uncomfortable and the embarrassment is over by the time you get your foundation garment back up to your waist. The specialist confirmed my direction question on the way out of his office - that I had prostate cancer - there was a significant tumor and he would be in touch shortly. Well that was cause enough for a drink and so I did.
I often find brevity in the bottom of a glass - but dont be concerned if you are reading this. I mean after all I am in the wine business so I am a licensed alcoholic and therefore have a myriad of excuses be they real or imagined re the worlds issues at any given time. Again I digress - I apologise - what I meant to say was I drink responsibly because I am in the industry.......coughs. Simply put - after a sip I thought...right fuck it....I am gonna take this head on and smash it. Do whatever I have to do and get over it asap. I have had plenty of adversity in my life so this wasn't going to slow me down.
So I am booked into day surgery for a biopsy right???? Would you know every year a group of mates go away on a 3 day weekend playing golf eating and drinking at the best establishments in whichever city or town we are in. Last trip was Adelaide - We fly down on a Thursday play 4 rounds of golf in 3 days, book restaurants well in advance, have a jacket and tie wine dinner on the Saturday night etc. Essentially we travel 1st class for this trip - you get the picture right. PS I am the trip Food and Beverage Manager (meaning I organise the food and wines etc) we even have our own credit card can you believe it. Sorry off topic again I know - the point being is I had to go and have the biopsy on the Tuesday before flying out on the Thursday. The specialist said there was always a risk of infection and that I would be a bit sore and maybe I wouldn't feel like playing golf. I asked can I go - and he left it up to me. I was on the plane on Thursday.
So the first day we play 36 holes in one day. Most of are over 50 now and its terrible at times to be so in touch with ones mortality (meaning getting older). Anyway the first 18 holes two days after a general anesthetic = not the smartest thing I've done and shit didn't I feel it? I thought I was going to die I felt so ill - mind you not much pain to speak off just felt ill. Stopped for lunch had a heap of cold water and then I felt fine. I played pretty good in the afternoon - so back on track.. Next day we had to walk 18 holes (no carts) and this is the reason for telling part of the story. Can I tell you walking 6-7kms 4 days after a prostate biopsy where they took 13 samples (meaning they stabbed the needle in there at least that many times) was not one of life's best decisions. My ass was so sore a couple of holes in that it was literally on fire.... I was walking like I was chewing a mintie (candy) in my ass cheeks every step..... All my mates thought it was hilarious I looked so funny as you couldn't call what I was doing walking - it was more like mincing down the fairways with tiny little steps.....so let me tell you the first beer at the bar afterwards was refreshing and so was the ice pack I sat on.
Lesson 2 - Have your annual check ups and PSA blood tests so you wont have doctors sticking fingers up your bum, no needles in your ass and it wont hurt playing golf. Are you paying attention here gents?
Ok back on topic (apologies). So the consultation after the biopsy results was all about next steps / treatment options etc. Now this is where it gets somewhat problematic as different treatments are dependent on which county you're in and what local health services / insurances etc will cover. Without going through the total list of options put to me it it was a no brainer that surgery was the best option. It was offered two ways - normal surgery (least expensive, large incision, longer recovery & less chance of full recovery for incontinence and erectile function) versus the latest method - the da Vinci Surgical Robot (most expensive, small incisions, shorter recovery and best chance of full recovery for incontinence and erectile functions). With such a high success rate with this surgery it has further positive ramifications for follow up treatment should cancer cells remain. Common treatment for the next stage is hormones and radiation.
So I made the decision on the spot and basically said lets do it asap. However you cant have surgery until 8 weeks after the biopsy so during that time its tests and more tests and I took the decision to use the time to get as healthy as I could - eat better drink less etc so that my recovery would be easier. I also had a Choline Pet Scan which basically finds whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body - in my case I am extremely lucky that it didnt - but let me tell you why. And gents this is really really important.
By having your annual check ups and with that - blood tests for diabetes, cholesterol etc - make sure you include a PSA test (Prostate Specific Antigen) its that easy. Elevated PSA doesnt necessarily mean you have cancer - there are other benign causes as well however, given all men will have prostate cancer at later stages in life the point is to catch it as early as possible. When caught early the procedure(s) are relatively simple with new surgery methods etc AND most importantly - the cancer is contained in the prostate and you wont have to go through what I am currently going through. If your PSA is NOT elevated then you wont have to have a digital rectal examination so fellas - there is nothing to be frightened of and no excuses from here on in.
Back for more tomorrow
10 years ago
