Had biopsy Saturday

Good morning.

I am glad you didn’t have too bad a time with the biopsy. Mine wasn’t too bad either.

The whole sleeping thing while you are waiting for results can be problematic - your feelings are like a saucepan on simmer.

There are lots of ways of calming down.

This page from the NHS covers most of them:

https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/sleep/

Unfortunately most of them take practice and aren’t a quick fix.

In the end I had a chat with my GP and he prescribed a few doses of anti-seasickness tablets which make you (me) slightly dozy. Not much, but enough.

For a quick relaxing I use something called “box breathing”, which goes like this:

Hi Pompeyblue , the waiting is probably the hardest part.  Just try to do normal things (but we have all been there) and keep busy.  Once you get the results everything will settle down.

Hey, I had my biopsy Friday morning. I didn’t have the luxury of going under GA  They went in through the Perineum under local which hurt like a goodun. 

so far so good with no blood in pee or stool. However seamen is red which scared me, even tho I was told that would happen lol. 

now the anxious wait for my results. This whole thing is driving me insane. I can’t sleep, struggle to eat and constantly worried. I’ve done alot of research and i’m preparing myself for bad news to make it easier at my appointment as and when i get it. I’m only 1 day ahead of you. All the best mate

Hello Darren and Mark

As you are both at the start of your cancer journey, why not start to fill in your profile-this helps you remember where you have been and helps us to know where you are on your journey.

You can read a members journey (if it’s been completed) by clicking on their name or avatar. If you plan reading mine make a brew first.

To start your profile on your home page click on the screen - top right, then profile and then edit. Don’t forget to save it when you’ve written something.

Best wishes-Brian.

Thanks mark and all the best to you .as you said this whole thing is terrifying me I don't feel like the same person I was 4 weeks ago and it's hard to think positively. I'm trying to work a keep things normal but my head is scrambled.  I know I'm not the only by far but it feels like it at the moment. Anyway hope it all works out for all of us mate

Just done this. Thank you.. I’m new here so appreciate the bump lol

Thanks Mark (PompeyMark ) 

All sounds pretty good I must say - and I would try and put the worry about the results to the back of your mind (easier said than done - I know).

Stick with us ask anything - nothing is too trivial and some one will have "been there - done that".

Best wishes - Brian.

As a 55 year old who has been through diagnosis, treatment and ongoing monitoring, I would say the most stressful points in the journey have been when you feel you h ave least control - like waiting for results. I still have a sleepless night around each PSA test, MRI etc.

In general, however, once you know what you are facing, and have a clear plan in place, to some extent you can put it out of your mind, 'safe' in the knowledge that professional medics are doing their best for you, and you are taking the relevant actions to deal with your condition.

And remember, if you need to calm yourself, the vast majority of prostate cancers can be survived for a very long time. That's not to say they are not stressful - they are - but there are also worse conditions to have, and very many people are in the prostate cancer boat.

Hello Pompeyblue (Darren).

It's not easy waiting for results to come through & understandably the mind can dwell on it. 

My best tip to get a good nights sleep is to keep yourself really busy & do things that you enjoy.  Plan each day ahead, it doesn't matter what it is, but if you are physically tired but have had a great day then the mind is focussed on that & the day to come & the body is knackered so sleep will happen.

My 2nd tip is to keep a notepad & pen by the bed then if you do wake up, note down what's bothering you rather than it going round in your brain in a constant circle.  You can then focus on the issue the next day & it's surprising how often it's not the biggie you thought it was in the darkness.

Hope you get some sleep soon.

Best Wishes

Brian

Thanks Brian. Good advice. Just seems like my whole world is worrying and stressing about cancer and it's wearing me down. Especially as I don't feel ill . Crazy times