Is when it's over.

Anyhow, I have to go for an MRI next. Depending on the results of that, maybe a biopsy. Oh joy.

Been down this road several times, so I ain't worried. Worst case, things will be at such an early stage everything will be treatable.

I know it's always best to be sure but it's quite literally a pain in the arse.

Besides which, I'd have expected dinner or at least a couple of drinks before anyone doing that. Yikes.

Best wishes and white light my friend!

Thank you. I'm certain everything will be fine. It's not the first time this has happened and, should it turn out to be bad news, it will be at such an early stage that treatment will be simple.

I recently got the all clear from suspected lung cancer, so I'm feeling bullet proof at the moment.

Wow you have had a road, I do hope all goes well.

Well, it could have been worse. Another good thing is, for some bizarre reason, my anemia disappeared and in all other respects my blood work came back just great. Doctor had a few concerns, some months ago but all things seem to be fine now. Well, apart from the prostate thing, that is.

Good your doctor is looking into all avenues. Health is all we have sometimes, we want to keep you around.

SAMS3D posted at 3:01PM Tue, 16 April 2019 - #4350143

Good your doctor is looking into all avenues. Health is all we have sometimes, we want to keep you around.

Thank you!

I have a cunning plan for that, though. If I croak, I'll come back to haunt Rendo.

Keeping my fingers crossed all goes well Sam.

Your good humor would definitely be missed here.

The ~~best~~ worst thing about a prostate examination... is the offer of dinner and a movie first.....

Good luck ST.

Thanks, all. I'm sure I'll be just fine. MRI is Thursday so I should know something before long.

Fair play to you Sam for being beyond open about this, us blokes are usually really bad about this kinda thing.

In the UK about 1 in every 8 men get diagnosed, and around 11,000 men die, each year. Indeed I know quite a few guys get this, 2 of those being near neighours.

In part that's due to no mass screening programme, which the core charity says is down to the way PSA test isn't reliable enough yet. But they say most cases are down to blokes being embrassed about seeing their doctor.

OK sure the tests are not exactly fun, but since some of my friends got it I now get a PSA test and exam every year. Yes at times had to demand it and argue my corner to get the test and yes some years the test shows a high level, apparently that's normal.

But it's worth it as when caught early enough then treatment is 99.99% successful and after a while everything works fine. So come on chaps, be like Sam and be a hero and take 5 minutes to get tested.

Hey, MrSparky, thank you for the support. As far as it goes, prostate cancer - if caught soon enough - is the most treatable of all male cancers. Mrs Therapy's stepdad (can't really call him father in law, since we're the same age) had prostate cancer two years ago, but because it was diagnosed in the early stages, he's had effective treatment and is fully in the clear. For the record, his PSA levels were double mine at the time.

I've had no problems getting a PSA test regularly; in fact, I'm down for it every 3 months. I think it's partly because I'm an ex smoker, so my overall risk is higher, or something along those lines.

In any case, guys, get tested and make sure it's a regular thing. Better a doctor's finger up yer jacksie once in a while than the lid being nailed down on a pine box, right?

Treatment of prostate cancer has improved considerably over the years.

50 years ago my paternal Grandfather was given 6 months to live after being diagnosed - and actually held on for 3 agonising years. 12 years ago my father was also diagnosed and given 2 - 3 years, he's still fighting fit and - in his 90s - is playing tennis 3 to 4 times a week. His PSA readings have actually dropped to almost nothing in the last 2 years.

I had a recent 'well man' checkup and I'm clear of anything like that. I must take after my mum.

I'm tested every year. Considering it's usually in late November, I joking think of it as a "holiday gift" from my doctor. Shoot, I'd actually see it as fun if my physician were an attractive young woman! I mean, some guys actually pay for that kind of, ahem, "service" and the ladies involved are not even medically qualified!

Seriously, guys, it's not painful, no more than "pinching a small loaf" and is considerably quicker. Shoot, I even had a colonoscopy about 4 years ago. The procedure itself is nothing. I thought I would have a sore backside from having an optical tube inserted deep into my large intestine. Ironically, my tush felt better after I "awoke" from the procedure. (They don't actually put you fully under as they need you to respond during the exam. Instead, they give you something that blocks your short time memory.) The "discomfort" resulted from the powerful laxative solution one must drink to flush the colon clean. (You don't want "poo" smudging the camera lens.) But the examination itself? You don't recall it and the probe does not leave you with a sore a$$.

Sincerely,

Bill

Hi, here in Belgium we get free tests every 2 year. So far I have come out "clean", but my brother had surgery 2 months ago and is recovering well. I did have a preventive colonoscopy 6 years ago. (Unfortunately cancer is in the family DNA.) The only bad memory is the drinking of the cleaning solution. The procedure itself in nothing. Best wishes Sam, and a good day to all.

Redfern posted at 5:02AM Thu, 18 April 2019 - #4350216

I'm tested every year. Considering it's usually in late November, I joking think of it as a "holiday gift" from my doctor. Shoot, I'd actually see it as fun if my physician were an attractive young woman! I mean, some guys actually pay for that kind of, ahem, "service" and the ladies involved are not even medically qualified!

Seriously, guys, it's not painful, no more than "pinching a small loaf" and is considerably quicker. Shoot, I even had a colonoscopy about 4 years ago. The procedure itself is nothing. I thought I would have a sore backside from having an optical tube inserted deep into my large intestine. Ironically, my tush felt better after I "awoke" from the procedure. (They don't actually put you fully under as they need you to respond during the exam. Instead, they give you something that blocks your short time memory.) The "discomfort" resulted from the powerful laxative solution one must drink to flush the colon clean. (You don't want "poo" smudging the camera lens.) But the examination itself? You don't recall it and the probe does not leave you with a sore a$$.

Sincerely,

Bill

YMMV, as they say. I had a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy at the same time and I remember it all. Not the worst thing ever, but definitely not pleasant. And, oh yeah, that there bowel prep stuff is such fun.

tonyvilters posted at 5:04AM Thu, 18 April 2019 - #4350221

Hi, here in Belgium we get free tests every 2 year. So far I have come out "clean", but my brother had surgery 2 months ago and is recovering well. I did have a preventive colonoscopy 6 years ago. (Unfortunately cancer is in the family DNA.) The only bad memory is the drinking of the cleaning solution. The procedure itself in nothing. Best wishes Sam, and a good day to all.

Thanks, Tony. I'm sure all will be well.

Anyhow, if it's all bad news and minor scales, you can bet I'll be even more annoying than usual.

"I had a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy at the same time"

you mind? clearly you are at fault, coming from the throat I have right of way.. now whats your insurance details.....

Just got back from the MRI. They gave me headphones with the radio on, just to stop me getting bored. Started off well enough with a little Gnarls Barkley, then Todd Rundgren followed by Queen. Sadly, things went downhill after that with George Ezra. Lucky for me, the scan ended partway through that particular form of torture.

In retrospect, I think I prefer a colonoscopy to listening to George Ezra.

they gave you headphones?

you luuuuuucccky bastard.. you lucky lucky bastard......

bet they even had you facing the right way up....

the first time they did the scan on my wrist, I was clamped in a "superman" position (yup my hand / wrist literally clamped) and fed in for the scan.

30 mins later they were unclamping me.. and the nurse says "oh you did really well, most press the button" me "what button?" ... they'd forgotten the button and the headphones.....

she was very quiet after she realised that...

Oopsie.

Had a camera put down once- fortunately not up :)- and being a professional wimp opted for the "knock out" option. They'd give me something that left me feeling a little - won't deny not unpleasantly - woozy, but the camera lady wasn't quite ready. Then she stormed in, she'd been stuck in traffic for over an hour, yelled at the nurses for how they'd set things up and said I had to move.

So feeling a bit nervous about the lady, more dopey than usual and with no glasses on, I walked the wrong way around the table. Straight into all the wires and pulled all their machines over :)

First time I had a gastroscopy - in my mid 30s - I didn't have a sedative, just a local anaesthetic to my throat. All the team were smiling when I went in, and after the one in charge shook my hand and said, "I don't know how you did it, mate. Most people go for the sedative and we usually have to peel the others off the ceiling".

Latest news...

Urology called me today, want to see me early Monday.

Watch this space.

Here's hoping it's something easily remedied, with little or no long term effects.

Thank you.

Still, seeing as it's Urology, they're probably just taking the piss.