Hi
So I have had a bit of a journey. Initially in August 24 I suffered what I thought was a bad case of Acid Reflux where I thought I had damaged my rib. I was regularly getting stomach issues and it felt different. I checked into the local GP who latched on to the words Acid reflux and put me on some medication. This is now the beginning of October and I knew this was something new, I then started getting spasms where I could barely move for 40 minutes or so, on one occasion we dialled 999 but ended up just getting more tablets.
Now November, the GP arranges a scan and it shows I have prostate Cancer and some lymph nodes are affected. I then visited a consultant who books more scans after an MRI scan I am advised to go straight to Urology. Here they have determined that I have Cancer in the spine and that surgery is recommended.
Towards the end of November I have surgery to remove part of my spine and have it replaced with braces and screws. The operation goes well and after 10 days go home. All seems well, getting out for walks etc. My wife then noticed my back doesn't look the same and I feel a bit different. So of to A&E where I am readmitted, they tell me I have a bleed, a Hematoma, they are hoping the body will absorb it. It seems to be going well and after another 10 day I am home just before Christmas.
It was great spending Christmas with the family but a couple of days later I started to tremble and after painkillers had a temperature of nearly 40. Back to A&E and after a few days they determine that the hematoma has got infected. They then do a aspiration sucking the fluid out my back. I get a visit from Infectious Diseases who put me on hyper Antibiotics for 90 days. The metalwork has got infected so they cannot give me radiotherapy until it is clear.
So I have been home for a couple of weeks, having blood tests weekly and many appointments lined up.I had fantastic help in the hospital but felt discharge a little lacking, being unsure of what I could and couldn't do. What sort of recovery to expect etc, hence my joining Macmillan.
Hi Chappy123
I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.
While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment to date into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi Chappy123
There's no need to apologise as I remember only too well how days and weeks seem to disappear in a whirlwind of blood tests and treatment.
It must be very disappointing for you to discover that your possible treatment options have been messed up by you being given antibiotics and I hope your team find a solution soon.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
