I have always been generally healthy although prone to some quite serious illnesses, which I have always managed to recover from. The last was opthalmic herpes, a form of shingles that starts in the eye that left me partially blind in the left eye. Anyway I got over it and I still have one good eye.
I went to the doctor because I was experiencing dribbling after I had urinated. I was sent for a PSA test and the doc phoned me up a week later saying my PSA was high and she was making an appointment for me to see the urologist. She was very careful to avoid using the word Cancer as I suppose it wasn't her place to do so at that point. My appointment came through between Chrismas and New Year and when I got to the hospital at Bromsgrove the first person I saw was the Macmillan nurse who informed me my PSA was 128 and after a quick rectal examination called the consultant across who informed me that I most likely had prostate cancer. I am a person who does not tend to panic and accepts the cr*p that life throws at me with stoicsm and just get on with it. Having lost my sister to cancer only a year ago I did feel a sense of great disappointment that my own life may be cut short. I felt and continue to feel well.
I was started on Zoldaex and am now having the usual side effects of hot flushes, lack of libido, erectile disfunction. I have always been one who had to urinate frequently so I did not really notice anything new although the cancer must have started several months ago.
I recently had a bone scan in view of my high PSA level and this has shown that the cancer has metastised to my pelvis. I'm shortly to see the oncologist so watch this space.
So far all doom and gloom and you don't have to look far on the net for very worrying statistics about this condition. However, as I said I'm not one to dwell on these things and as long as I feel well I'm going to carry on doing what I enjoy. As my username suggests I am a guitarist and I am continuing to gig with my bands. Anybody interested have a look at www.facebook.com/FabulousOffcutz and if you're in the Redditch area this week or Wyre Piddle on the 17th come along and say hello.
So far I have nothing but praise for the way I have been treated by my GP and the various hospitals I have had to visit. The staff all work hard and do a great job.
I'll continue with my blog as things progress. If anybody wants to get in touch please feel free. It's not good that you're here reading this but it is good to know you're not alone and you can get support, encouragement and answers to the things that may be concerning you.
As John Lennon once said "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans".
