The Prostate Cancer club

KIPAX

KIPAX

Seriously Likeable
Messages
20,992
Name
KIPAX Lancashire UK
Edit My Images
No
Anyone else a member? I could only find really old posts on the subject from a few years ago.. With so many members I am guessing theres a few of us on here

3 days after christmas I was diagnosed with Stage 3 aggressive Prostate Cancer. My journey as it happens www.kipax.com/pc
I am just back from my radiotherapy planning apppaintment.. all starts 30th May

PS its not as bad as it sounds.. well... you know...
 
All the best with treatments.
 
All the best with the treatment.

My dad had the initial analysis, but due to age and a recent stroke they have suggested that they will just monitor for now.
 
Yes, I was diagnosed in 2018. Have just been looking at your web page. My scores were similar in some respects - but my PSA was initially over 100 but reduced to 83 following hormone injections and before radiotherapy started. Had 35 (IIRC) radiotherapy sessions and Zoladex injections. I'm just waiting for the results of my latest blood test but all the tests following treatment up until now have shown undetectable levels of PSA.

All the best with your treatment - you will probably hear some great stories in the waiting room from the other guys undergoing the same treatment. :)

PS: I was 74 when diagnosed. I had gone to see my GP for a totally unrelated matter but she asked me if I wanted a prostate examination there and then. She must have a sixth sense and I will always be very grateful to her.
 
Last edited:
great stuff @Al1944 :) Yes had my zoladex this mornign same day as radiotherapy planning :) that and the three tattoos they give you.. enough for today :)
 
3 tattoos is enough for one day!
 
So sorry to read this, Tony and by coming on here you may well have prompted someone to GET TESTED . Men, myself included, are so reluctant to go to their doctor..goodness knows why we're like that. I'm not like that anymore because two years ago I was spending more time going to the loo in the night than sleeping so my wife,as ever, insisted on me asking my doctor to refer me to a consultant urologist. Enlarged prostate,said the consultant. I had an op to reduce it.. by taking some of it away. It had been pressing on the urethra, narrowing it.Sorted... BUT..of course that procedure would have shown any other problems, such as cancer, which, fortunately, there weren't any. Now, you've even managed to get me to post about it :)

I've read all of your blog and will keep an eye on this thread...noting May 20th/21st ..when you will be posting about your next step, radiotherapy. I actually think that running the blog is a positive thing to do ,not only to alert and enlighten others but it will also be cathartic, which is very important, too.

Like you,I was not impressed with your experience re the urology nurse. I see you have already contacted Macmillan. I was going to suggest that .My wife was a Service Development Manager with them until she retired not too long ago. Infact, she set up the Information Hub in our hospital here in Gloucester and 'Next Steps' rehabilitation centre in Cheltenham. She'd also suggested the prostate support group but you said you joined one and decided that it wasn't for you. What she did say,however, was that you musn't hesitate to contact Macmillan again no matter what your query might be. Now you know why she insisted I was referred to a consultant urologist.

As nc_killie (John) says.."stay strong". The consultant has given you a good prognosis.
 
JohnC6 said:
So sorry to read this, Tony and by coming on here you may well have prompted someone to GET TESTED . Men, myself included, are so reluctant to go to their doctor..goodness knows why we're like that. I'm not like that anymore
Click to expand...

Apparently my last proper visit and blood test was in 2016 so like 7 yrs ago... I just never liked the thought of bothering them.. Since found out you can gte tested yourself or have medicals every yr if you want... Its a good job cancer is very slow moving..


JohnC6 said:
you've even managed to get me to post about it :)
Click to expand...

Good :) I had been keeping it to myself but had to make it public for lots of reasons

JohnC6 said:
I've read all of your blog and will keep an eye on this thread...noting May 20th/21st ..when you will be posting about your next step, radiotherapy. I actually think that running the blog is a positive thing to do ,not only to alert and enlighten others but it will also be cathartic, which is very important, too.
Click to expand...

You know what ..I had the idea and had already been making notes of dates... But to actually write it down like that was very theraputick or whatever... made me feel free :) I waited until I was going for my RT planning before posting though

JohnC6 said:
Like you,I was not impressed with your experience re the urology nurse. I see you have already contacted Macmillan. I was going to suggest that .My wife was a Service Development Manager with them until she retired not too long ago. Infact, she set up the Information Hub in our hospital here in Gloucester and 'Next Steps' rehabilitation centre in Cheltenham. She'd also suggested the prostate support group but you said you joined one and decided that it wasn't for you. What she did say,however, was that you musn't hesitate to contact Macmillan again no matter what your query might be. Now you know why she insisted I was referred to a consultant urologist.
Click to expand...

To be honest the support groups have too much info that depresses me.. I still gte butterflies just reading the words "prostate cancer" (but not when typing it hmmm) and poeple have good intentions but scare me.. Like the guy in the blog telling me he had same numbers as me and was given a few yrs to live ;( then more recently people saying how theres have come back? I didnt knwo it could... all very depressing.. I prefer the head in sand approach :)

Glad someones read it all... needed pics to break it up but couldnt think of any haha

JohnC6 said:
As nc_killie (John) says.."stay strong". The consultant has given you a good prognosis.
Click to expand...

Theres still worries.. lots of worries.. but I ahve convinced myself its going to be OK .. All I have to do is get through radiotherapy and another 2 yrs hormone treatment :)

PS my wife (who doesnt read this) made me take out a paragraph of the blog where i went to the urology clinic and was prescribed on repeat prescription "sildenafil" haha You can't tell them that!!! haha

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond.. it does all help :)
 
PMA (positive mental attitude) can be a big factor. You CAN beat it and I'm sure you WILL.
 
Yesterday was my last day of treatment for Prostate Cancer. (20 sessions of radiotherapy) There is nothing more they can do to cure it so they have a tradition of ringing the bell to show treatment finished. . 6 to 8 weeks before I get the first indication if worked or not. then another 6 mths wait before I can find out how good it's worked and then ongoing tests. It will be a few years before I can safely say if the cancer has gone. If it hasn't then they will manage it.. But 70% success rate gives me a near 2/1 chance
1f642.png


The nurses at Rosemere in Preston where excellent so I got them some cakes and wrote them a soppy card (I know) and my missus thanked them for looking after me .

It's been a whirlwind 6 mths since it was found
1f641.png



More info about my journey www.kipax.com/pc


bel_ring.jpg


PS them man boobs.... hormone injections NOT beer haha
 
Last edited:
Al1944 said:
Well done Tony. Good to get that out of the way.
Click to expand...

Cheers.. another step forward... hope you PSA levels are still down ? :)
 
Its not necessary to get an appointment with a GP if you want a PSA test and if you haven't had one then you should.

https://www.mypsatests.org.uk/ is a charity that holds events around the country or will send a test kit to your home so you can take a blood sample (simple finger prick) and return it to them for testing.

There is a charge but the peace of mind is well worth it.

My best wishes to all
 
Sorry to hear this KIPAX, all the best.

Dave
 
Sorry to here you have Prostate cancer.

I started way back in December 2009 first hospital appointment, the Urology consultant was very good.
After many appointments ( Urology consultant would not give up ) finally got a result November 2010. Started Zoladex injections end January 2011. May that year my 3 tatoos and started 35 days treatment ended May 2011, Last injection of Zoladex January 2014.
Still having PSA tests on a 2 year basis one required September this year and the last one September 2025.

Over all no problems life just carried on as normal, odd few niggles due to treatment that's all.

Trevor
 
just read your story on the link tony, nothing more to add that others havent said...just good luck brother
 
I was advised by a friend to have a PSA test, I phoned the doctors and they asked WHY ? , I told them a friend had advised as he had prostate problems. They made an appointment , In I went with a short sleeve shirt for the blood sample . I was asked to get on the couch and lay down , Strange , I am OK with injection , The male Indian doctor was putting on some laytex gloves , I thought Err!! I can't see a syringe , Next thing I was asked to loosen my belt and pull my jeans and pants down , Then all of a sudden the Doc had his finger up my bum and having a wiggle about , I hope it was his finger :oops: :$ as I was looking the other way , I was then told It felt ok and no need to worry . Phew so much for a PSA test:LOL::ROFLMAO:
 
F1.2 said:
I was advised by a friend to have a PSA test, I phoned the doctors and they asked WHY ? , I told them a friend had advised as he had prostate problems. They made an appointment , In I went with a short sleeve shirt for the blood sample . I was asked to get on the couch and lay down , Strange , I am OK with injection , The male Indian doctor was putting on some laytex gloves , I thought Err!! I can't see a syringe , Next thing I was asked to loosen my belt and pull my jeans and pants down , Then all of a sudden the Doc had his finger up my bum and having a wiggle about , I hope it was his finger :oops: :$ as I was looking the other way , I was then told It felt ok and no need to worry . Phew so much for a PSA test:LOL::ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
Not so much a PSA as a DRE.........with the D being digital, it sounds so modern ;)
 
F1.2 said:
I was advised by a friend to have a PSA test, I phoned the doctors and they asked WHY ? , I told them a friend had advised as he had prostate problems. They made an appointment , In I went with a short sleeve shirt for the blood sample . I was asked to get on the couch and lay down , Strange , I am OK with injection , The male Indian doctor was putting on some laytex gloves , I thought Err!! I can't see a syringe , Next thing I was asked to loosen my belt and pull my jeans and pants down , Then all of a sudden the Doc had his finger up my bum and having a wiggle about , I hope it was his finger :oops: :$ as I was looking the other way , I was then told It felt ok and no need to worry . Phew so much for a PSA test:LOL::ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...


Mine was caught by accident wiht a blood test then to doctors for his finger going up... then a week later in hospital for another doctor to do the same then to a biopsy for a rather large bit of equipment going up

I did mention that 66 years nothing then 3 things going up there in a week... (at least they wernt buses haha)
 
And the cameras are no longer Betamax!!!
 
vintageman said:
Its not necessary to get an appointment with a GP if you want a PSA test and if you haven't had one then you should.

https://www.mypsatests.org.uk/ is a charity that holds events around the country or will send a test kit to your home so you can take a blood sample (simple finger prick) and return it to them for testing.

There is a charge but the peace of mind is well worth it.

My best wishes to all
Click to expand...
Thank you for the link, I’ve signed up and ordered a home test. I’ve often thought I should have a PSA test, but as a typical bloke with an aversion to “making a fuss”, I’ve never got around to doing anything about it. One of my dog walking friends died recently after being diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer 8 years ago. He’d done amazingly well to survive that long but it still got him in the end, and that got my brain ticking : Oi, you’re 68 and a test is probably well overdue.
 
boogie man said:
Thank you for the link, I’ve signed up and ordered a home test. I’ve often thought I should have a PSA test, but as a typical bloke with an aversion to “making a fuss”, I’ve never got around to doing anything about it. One of my dog walking friends died recently after being diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer 8 years ago. He’d done amazingly well to survive that long but it still got him in the end, and that got my brain ticking : Oi, you’re 68 and a test is probably well overdue.
Click to expand...


Well done.. I didn't want to be that person preaching to everyone to have a test..
But did hope people reading would come to the conclusion themselves :) I know I wish I had.. Stage 3 aggressive meant i was soo soo worrying close to stage 4 and until this weeks results it was always at the back of my mind it could have gone over in the last 7 months.. remember I had no real symptoms.. well nothing I didnt put down to old age :)

Fingers crossed for you
 
I had an enlarged prostate 15 years ago at the age of 58 which seriously affected my ability to urinate properly. Two weeks before I was due for an op I couldn't pass urine at all and was in agony so had a catheter fitted. Had the operation (turps) which rectified the problem. A biopsy confirmed no sign of cancer but I have had a PSA test at least annually ever since - result usually between 0.9 and 1.7. I encourage all fellas to have an annual PSA test.
 
Didn’t know that you could get a home test that’s a good thing
I have been having the test for the last few years and has been ok so far just had another one waiting for the results
Also had the finger up the bum exam was all ok
I’ve been putting up with the having to pee often the doctor has now put me on tablets which should hopefully help
Hope everyone here is ok :)
 
Just read this, I had no idea as I don't often frequent this part of the forum. Glad all seems to have went well and you are still with us! :cool:
I have a few friends that have been diagnosed with PC over the years and I was speaking to one of them last week, he had his complete prostrate removed 5 years ago and is still clear. I'm unsure if complete removal is common practice?
Best of luck and give my regards to Julie too.
 
I have an issue with my blood in that it continually tries to clot. I've been on anticoagulants for over 20 years now, but last month I managed to get another DVT. The specialist nurse at the anti-coag clinic suggested that I get tested for cancer. The good news is that my PSA test came back OK, as did my poo test and the x-ray of my lungs. Not sure what triggered this last one, but as I'm in my early 60's is was good to get all those checks done anyway....
 
admirable said:
Just read this, I had no idea as I don't often frequent this part of the forum. Glad all seems to have went well and you are still with us! :cool:
I have a few friends that have been diagnosed with PC over the years and I was speaking to one of them last week, he had his complete prostrate removed 5 years ago and is still clear. I'm unsure if complete removal is common practice?
Best of luck and give my regards to Julie too.
Click to expand...


Heyup mate :) You can only have the prostrate removed at stage 2 .. stage one they do nothing.. put you on a watch list.. stage 2 you get the choice of removal or Radiotherapy... stage 3 (mine) once its started to leave the prostate then no point removing it as you wont get all the cancer so radiotherapy the only option... stage 4 your heading into chemo land :( ..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top