Prostate Cancer.

Digit · Post by **Digit** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:45 pm

Had a letter the other day telling me that an error had been detected in the biopsy results of a 'small number' of men treated locally.
According to BBC Wales this evening the number is actually 258. I wonder what constitutes a large number?

Beagle · Post by **Beagle** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:33 pm

That's a lot of people. How does that relate to you, and how are you doing Digit?

Post by **Minimalist** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:43 pm

259?

Knowing the way the bureaucratic mind works, any problem that can be defined away so that it is no problem is a good solution.

I wonder if that includes errors where they told people they didn't have it and they did?

Digit · Post by **Digit** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:54 am

Oh I've been in and out of hospital like a flipping Cuckoo clock Beag.
The only difference that retesting could make in my case is for them to tell me that I didn't have cancer in the first place.
Were that to happen you'd find me on your doorstep!
My problems have been due to scarring, this causes the the uretha to close. First they tried stretching and when that didn't work I had to have another surgical procedure.
Now I have to 'self catheterise', which means each morning I have to insert a lubricated catheter, this to continue till the healing is complete.
I bet every man reading this has his legs crossed!

Re-reading your comment Min. I met another chap during the original testing procedures, every time I went to hospital, he was there.
I met him some time later and found out that he was due for surgery but developed a hernia. Surgery cancelled!
Later he was given another date, and that was cancelled, so he was given another date, and that was cancelled, then they told him it was all a mistake and he didn't have cancer at all.
I haven't seen him lately, but when he told me that I said to my wife I would definitely be seeking a second opinion if I were him.

kbs2244 · Post by **kbs2244** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:02 pm

Ouch!
The way I spend my days, it would be 5 or 6 times a day!

Forum Monk · Post by **Forum Monk** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:37 pm

Digit wrote:Now I have to 'self catheterise' ...

.

Post by **Minimalist** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:36 pm

I wouldn't do that without "self-medicating" first!

Digit · Post by **Digit** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:43 pm

I wouldn't do that without "self-medicating" first!

I pint or two?

It's not as bad as it sounds actually Min, mind you the urologist opened the conversation with 'are you the fainting kind?'

CShark · Post by **CShark** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:50 am

Sorry to hear 'bout your urethral (?) problems. I can't imagine having to self catherize: had two TUIP operations in the past few years; the worst part was that damn tube...makes me shiver just reliving it

Did they try to incise the prostrate, to relieve some of the pressure on the urethra ? You mentioned you had two 'procedures'.

FWIW, I've had three shoulder ops and two urethral ops in the past five years, and now I've ended up with fibromyalgia: taking some very scary drugs just to make it to the next 4-6 hour block. Life can really suck sometime if your health is compromised.

Take care my friend,
Bob

Digit · Post by **Digit** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 9:27 am

I had the full prostate and lymph nodes removed and everything went according to plan, apart from minor infections.
After some weeks passing water became difficult and painfull. This was due to scarring causing a stricture. This was eased by inflating a 'balloon' to stretch it, it worked for a short time.
After a while the problems returned and the stricture was cut to widen it, to make sure it stays open is why the have to cateterise.
It's due, not to a failure by the surgeon, just that I scar easily. I still have a scar from a knife attack I suffered at school at the age of 14.
All part of life I feel Bob.

Post by **Minimalist** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 9:59 am

See? The guys in Canada and the UK get to talk about what their doctors do. We Yanks have to worry about what the insurance companies will approve!

CShark · Post by **CShark** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 4:55 am

Minimalist wrote:See? The guys in Canada and the UK get to talk about what their doctors do. We Yanks have to worry about what the insurance companies will approve!

Every time I think of, or hear something about the American health care 'crisis', I have to give my head a shake. How is it that the richest country on the planet (well, one of them anyway) cannot provide decent health care for their citizens. I've heard so may horror stories about people loosing everything due to serious illness, it's sad.

As in Britain, we Canadians get taxed to death, but at least we don't have to worry every time we see a doctor. All my surgeries, tests, doctor visits have not cost me a penny.

I am not trying to start a debate over this, just feel badly for my American friends and what you have to live without down there.

Digit · Post by **Digit** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:13 am

I don't know the the details of care in Canada or the States but also don't believe all you hear about our system.
Free at point of need to all Bull S**t!
Treatment for Macular Deneration is available only after you've lost the sight in one eye!
That is just one example of many.

Post by **Minimalist** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:02 am

How is it that the richest country on the planet (well, one of them anyway) cannot provide decent health care for their citizens.

Because the corporate pricks that control both political parties do not want it so. Has nothing to do with "can't" and everything to do with "won't."

Dig, my mother-in-law has macular degeneration. There is no treatment for it as far as I know and she has lost sight in one eye completely... although from a ruptured blood vessel not MD.

Digit · Post by **Digit** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:28 am

Wet or dry type Min?

Archaeologica.org

Prostate Cancer.

Prostate Cancer.

I feel for you

Health care systems