Out of the blue, almost!

[Oliver90owner]

Sorry to hear of yet another case, desp. Old age is not always easy to live with.

However this one is often a case of dying ‘with it’ rather than ‘from it’. That same report quotes results, from over 6 years ago, that indicate an excess of ten year survival rate at about 80% and is now better than that. Results are improving all the time.

I wish you well with your treatment. The NHS is very good with dealing with these problems. Just take it easy, sort out any pensions you may have and live life to the full.

[resybaby]

Desp
Like all the others am sorry to read your news.
Stay strong fella, and most importantly stay positive.
Positivity is a great under appreciated form of 'medicine'.

I joined this forum to seek advice to quickly get my house all set up for my wife to be able to manage after being told i had terminal cancer and very likely limited time left.
Doctors actually gave me 6 months.
24 months and ten days (yes i count) ago.

They are there to be defied and proven wrong!

[Adokforme]

Sorry to learn of your news Desp, we send best wishes for some better news in the weeks ahead.

[openspaceman]

I cannot think of anything to say to you, Desp or Resybaby, other than best wishes

[chris_n]

I cannot think of anything to say to you, Desp or Resybaby, other than best wishes

Ditto

[Krill]

Desp, good luck with your treatment.

[spread-tee]

Thank you for your kind words Gents, in times of need we all like to know others care.

Colin, stress was indeed one thing the doctors advised me to try and avoid, it is never good for us, you don't need a lifestyle filled with stress by any means.

Nowty, various nurses and doctors I spoke to agreed that there should be some kind of screening given its prevalence, I gather though that PSA blood tests are not that reliable, even so it is quick and painless and very low risk and could be combined with other tests so why not? As we know though funds are tight, or so the story goes.

Resybaby, good luck to you too, I am still trying to get my head around this TBH, but as you say a positive attitude is good for all kinds of life situations, I'm sure as you know at first it seems a barrage of not great news with little clue as to what comes next. Luckily I have started a course of hormone treatment already, and some injections scheduled for next week, so at least it has started.

BTB, I may take you up on that offer sometime, my sister lives not so far from you, maybe meet up for a cuppa??

What I find most baffling is the lack of symptoms given that my PSA reading indicates that I could have been living with this for quite some time.

5 years ago I had a fungal infection on my right foot, which at the time I put down to the chainsaw filling up my boots with chips and a couple of splinters ended up in my ankle. One developed into quite a nasty sore which took 5weeks or so to heal after having it checked out by the specialists and applying a cream. This recurred 2 years ago, same place same thing, healed up and went away, now back again?? Apart from that I had a slight tingling on a couple of my toes which was put down to aging circulation, cold extremities are more common now.

Other than those seemingly minor issues I can't think of any real clues, although I have to admit with those issues I did sometimes wonder what was going on, but having a busy life and not a spring chicken anymore you don't dwell on it and get on with everyday life. One of the Nurses did say whatever happens don't ignore stuff, pester your GP to get checked out , if only, who knows??

Thanks for indulging me and your kind words and good luck to you all too, at least I have finally decided to give up work (for now anyway) and as long as I can kickstart my bike without my foot snapping off I'm happy.

TTFN

Desp

[chris_n]

Other than those seemingly minor issues I can't think of any real clues, although I have to admit with those issues I did sometimes wonder what was going on, but having a busy life and not a spring chicken anymore you don't dwell on it and get on with everyday life.

One of the big issues is no one knows what is 'normal', we all know we are going to get weaker / slower / have less energy etc as we get older but none of us know how much. Aches and pains are often 'normal' but what is abnormal? If everyone over 50 was trying to consult a health professional every time they had an ache or pain the NHS would grind to a halt.

[Bugtownboy]

No probs Desp, PM me with any thoughts or a time and place to meet - maybe even something other than a cuppa

I agree with not letting things go.

On Saturday we went to a football match - this was to remember a local joiner.

Chris had done a lot of work for us when my skill level (:hysteria: ) was exceeded.

Chris was 36; he had a cut on his arm that he sort of ignored. A week or so after the injury he didn’t feel well, flu like symptoms, and went to bed.

Deteriorated overnight, wife called ambulance, by the time they arrived he’d arrested and died.

Sepsis

This really hit hard - had a wife and two small kiddies.

Tragic.

For you, it’s probably one of those times to reflect on life and lifestyle.

We did and were lucky enough to retire in our mid-50’s - ongoing health and wellbeing influenced our decision.

What is important is to talk about it - I know us blokes are not particularly good at talking about body issues - but it does help and there are loads of support networks to access.

[dan_b]

Late to this - thank you for having the courage to share your diagnosis - most men don't and that's one of the big factors in why men have worse health outcomes than women...

It's a common form of cancer in men, and is one of those that is usually asymptomatic - but as has also been mentioned, is becoming a condition that you live with rather than suffering from and modern medical interventions are far more comfortable and effective than they used to be.

Stay positive and keep enjoying life. You have many friends here!