My Nemesis

[Barry_White]

It looks as if something is trying to foil my plan of living to 100 years of age.

I've beaten Heart Disease (Quadruple Bypass), Diabetes, Nephritis, Gout, Glaucoma, Cataracts and Hyperaldosterism (Google it if you want to know what it is.)

This week I was diagnosed with high grade Prostate Cancer. I'm not going to let it beat me so on the 14th it's coming out.

It's funny how your friend of pleasure becomes your Nemesis.

[wheelinround]

Barry hope all goes well good to see the positive attitude. :2tsup:

A mate here had an enlarged one removed last year and is now doing well.

Tim's going to miss his turning mate for a bit though.

[Grommett]

They reckoned mine was outside the wall of the prostate so operating wasn't an option (technically a grade 3 carcinoma). I had 3 months of targeted radiotherapy 2 years ago. Follow up is with a 3 monthly injection of Zoladex (google) and blood tests to monitor the psa level. Ca is in remission, psa=0.06. After the first shock you cope. Talk to your mates, its surprising how many have been through the experience. There is plenty of info on the net eg what different sorts of surgery are available etc etc. Stay positive.

[munruben]

Sorry to hear the news Barry, hope all goes well for you on the 14th. Good luck mate:2tsup:

[mic-d]

Good luck mate.

Cheers
Michael

[rrobor]

If there is anything to be thankful for in this its the fact that Australia is a leader in this field. A guy named Costello ( Tony, not the old treasurer) pioneered this op by robotics. Instead of getting hacked up, they make a few slits then work from a TV screen. This has taken most of the side effects away and healing is a breeze. Its a pity though, cos there goes your chances for a larger family, your friend aint loaded.

[xiLe]

Sorry to hear, best of luck matey!

Cheers,
Paul

[Cliff Rogers]

Bugger. :~

All the best. :2tsup:

[Big Shed]

Good luck Barry, hope all goes well.:2tsup:

[Barry_White]

Its a pity though, cos there goes your chances for a larger family, your friend aint loaded.

Well rrobor at my age the last thing that I would be looking for would be a larger family apart from the fact I've probably been firing blanks for the last 10 years anyway. As my family is all grown up but they still all cause me problems and that I don't need,

Thank you everyone for the well wishes. I suppose I will find out what Peter (Sturdee) went through. His story gives me inspiration.

My Urological Surgeon tells me he has done over 750 of these operations so he has had plenty of practice before he is getting to me apart from the fact I know some of his successful ones.

[jmk89]

All the best for the 14th, BW. Seems like this is one of those 'rites of passage' (pun intended) we all need to go through nowadays

[Barry_White]

All the best for the 14th, BW. Seems like this is one of those 'rites of passage' (pun intended) we all need to go through nowadays

At least for us guys anyway.

One of the questions they keep asking when you go into hospital is "Are you allergic to any thing?" and my stock answer is "Work and pain".

[rrobor]

I didnt have what you have Barry, my issues were higher. but one of my fears was all those pretty little things meddling with my toy of joy. I had fears that nature would take over and I would look like a proper idiot. It just doesnt happen.
Pain, no doing a bypass you have had worse. Work though is different, however much we complain, its the pain we need.
I will wish you good luck, though you wont need it, you have breezed through far worse. Rob.

[Allan at Wallan]

I trust all went well for you today Barry and that you
have a speedy recovery. Chin up mate. :2tsup:

Allan

[Barry_White]

I trust all went well for you today Barry and that you
have a speedy recovery. Chin up mate. :2tsup:

Allan

Hi Allan

Hasn't happened yet. I go in tomorrow and operated on, on Monday morning. I dare say I will know Monday night. Thanks.

[Cliff Rogers]

All the best Barry.

[KevM]

Hasn't happened yet. I go in tomorrow and operated on, on Monday morning.


Barry, all the best for Monday!

[Ricardito]

Wish you all the best of luck tomorrow Barry

[specialist]

Luck for tomorrow.

Robert

[Grommett]

All the best for tomorrow. We are thinking of you.

[Barry_White]

Once again thanks everyone.

[wheelinround]

We'll save you seat for you Barry :2tsup:

[NewLou]

Just stumbled across your post BArry my thoughts are with you CHEERS m8!

Regards Lou :2tsup:

[Barry_White]

Count down is on I have my special shower in about an hour then under the knife about 10:30 AM and a big sleep for about four hours. The worst is gagging on the breathing tube as they wake you up.

I had my final meal last night. A beauty it was too. A big steak with chips and vegies cheese and crackers but because I am diabetic they wouldn't give me a beer or a wine with it.:oo:

[The Bleeder]

Good luck Bazza. When your in the theatre tell them to fix everything else up so you don't have to come back.

[artme]

Sorry to hear this Barry. Trust all goes well today!:)

Been having heaps of internet problems and don't always get the time time to browse down here before it has a hissy fit and drops out.

[Sturdee]

Barry, only just got onto your bad news, so you will only read this when it's all over. My best wishes for a speedy and successful recovery. Hope they got it all in your op.and that you won't need further treatment.

I'm sure that you will survive this as well as I did.


Peter.

[wheelinround]

Easy does it Barry hear from you soon.

[munruben]

Hope all went well for you Barry and on your way to a full recovery.

[AlexHW]

Sorry to hear that, Barry. All the best!

You seem to have a strong, positive attitude - extremely invaluable in circumstances like this I believe. :2tsup:

[jredburn]

Barry,
Take a look at <http://www.ted.com/talks/dean_ornish_on_healing.html>
Watch it two or three times, the good stuff goes by pretty quickly.
Regards
Joe

[Barry_White]

Well guys it's all over bar the shouting. Anyone that tells you it's not as bad as Heart By Pass surgery hasn't had both, The only difference is they don't cut any bones.

Much less dignity with the prostate but you soon get over that. A mature nurse said to me when I had to take a shower 'Drop your trousers!!!:oo: She then said I bet you don't get many offers like that.

I hope to get the results of the pathology tomorrow and that will determine in what direction I will be taking.

Whatever the results I will just forge on to get over it.

I watched that video in the post Joe put up and it makes a lot of sense. My daughter who has been in the health food industry for years as well as a very knowledgeable lady at the local health food store have recommended going on an alkaline diet which she gave me a printout of all the alkaline foods as well as the acid.

I have always had a positive attitude and do not know what depression is and really have a problem relating to it. I don't suffer from stress but I do know sometimes I cause it in others.

[munruben]

Great to hear the op is over and done with Barry. Your positive attitude will be a great help to you.
You are now on the road to recovery and hope its all smooth going for you and you will be back in the harness before you know it.
My fingers are crossed for tomorrows results and trust it will be all good news. :2tsup:

[wheelinround]

:2tsup: Barry's back resting well I hope, Barry one of my mates had his removed around Christmas told no lifting after about a week or so he was feeling chipper moving about well and yep squatted down to lift something felt slight twinge thought nothing of it. His son walked into the shed to find blood on the floor (drips) and his dad pottering about. quick trip back to hospital a needle and thread to stitch him back together (torn stitches). He's well and back into full swing:p

[Barry_White]

Well guys I got out of hospital on Saturday and a got the results of the pathology. Prognosis is pretty good. The cancer escaped in two spots. One into the Seminal Vesicle which he removed and one in a tear in the bottom of the prostate. There was a flap in the tear and the cancer was under the flap but not on the outside of the flap and he also removed that. No cancer in the Lymph Nodes.

Today I went into day surgery to have the catheter removed. It is obvious that the person that designed the catheter and the leg bag has not worn it not even for a day and I had it in for over a week. Comfortable they are not.

I have a follow up with the Urologist in eight week to get the results of my next PSA test and hopefully that will be at zero.

Other than that I am taking it easy for a few weeks but fortunately although it is a bit uncomfortable peeing I am not getting any leakage so from now on I hope to power on.

[specialist]

Yay!!! Onward and upward from here on in. Good Luck for the future.

Robert

[wheelinround]

Nice to hear Barry :2tsup:

[Cliff Rogers]

Fingers crossed. :)

[Chesand]

That is all good news

[Grommett]

Good news all round. Oh yes, the catheter. I belive the guy that invented it worked for the Spanish Inquisition.

[munruben]

Pleased to hear the news Barry. We all have our fingers crossed for you.:2tsup:

[Sturdee]

It is obvious that the person that designed the catheter and the leg bag has not worn it not even for a day and I had it in for over a week. Comfortable they are not.



I had mine in for two weeks, wasn't too bad once you got used to it but you had to let it all hang freely.:D

The fun part was having it taken out, one nurse instructed a new one with another watching as well. Bit like having a party but unable to join in. :U


Peter.

[BobR]

Just found this Barry. Glad to hear things are progressing in the right direction. Hope that this continues.

[artme]

Was pleased to see the prognosis ws positive Barry!:)


How are things at present?

[Barry_White]

Was pleased to see the prognosis ws positive Barry!:)


How are things at present?

Hi Artme thanks for asking.

I'm still taking it easy but progressing ok although the other night as I was going to bed I had a sneeze coming on and as my wife was asleep I didn't want to wake her I stifled the sneeze and I must have pulled a muscle across where I had the operation and has been tender the last few days.

I go back to the Urologist on the 11th May and have a PSA test the week before so if all things are progressing ok it should be a zero reading.

My wife watches me like a hawk making sure I don't do any heavy lifting so I just do as I'm told.

I'm still wearing those terrible white stockings to bed of a night as the Urologists instructions for six weeks after the operation. They sure make my toes sore with the pressure mixed with the diabetes.

Like I say if I live long enough I'll get over everything.

[Foo]

That's good news Barry and now be a good boy and do as you are told!:wink:

[graemet]

Good luck, Barry. Your positive attitude is going to be your greatest asset. After my (botched) prostatectomy, I've had treatment after treatment, all eventually failing, but I've never thrown in the towel. So far I've outlived all predictions and my GP says it's the attitude that's done it.

[Barry_White]

Good luck, Barry. Your positive attitude is going to be your greatest asset. After my (botched) prostatectomy, I've had treatment after treatment, all eventually failing, but I've never thrown in the towel. So far I've outlived all predictions and my GP says it's the attitude that's done it.

Hi graemet

Without a positive attitude some people are beaten before they start and it also confounds a lot of people but I also believe it is a gift to have one.

But the other thing it also helps to have a great surgeon and we have one of the greatest in the state here in Tamworth.

There is a story going around here that a gentleman here decided he didn't want to have his prostatectomy here in Tamworth and decided to go to Sydney to have it done. When he got to Sydney and saw the Urologist he asked the man where about in the country he came from and when he told him Tamworth he said to him what are you doing down here you have one of the best in the country in Tamworth and he sent him back to have it done in Tamworth.

[Barry_White]

I'm glad I didn't have to go shopping dressed like this.

[wheelinround]

:o and in the food court area

[jmk89]

Hi graemet

Without a positive attitude some people are beaten before they start and it also confounds a lot of people but I also believe it is a gift to have one.

But the other thing it also helps to have a great surgeon and we have one of the greatest in the state here in Tamworth.

There is a story going around here that a gentleman here decided he didn't want to have his prostatectomy here in Tamworth and decided to go to Sydney to have it done. When he got to Sydney and saw the Urologist he asked the man where about in the country he came from and when he told him Tamworth he said to him what are you doing down here you have one of the best in the country in Tamworth and he sent him back to have it done in Tamworth.

I love this story!

I reckon a lot of the people who say that the services outside Sydney are so much worse than the services in Sydney either don't know how cr@p the services here are or just like feeling that they are victims. There is no doubt that there are service problems in areas like medicine and education in some regional areas, but there are also really great services in some spots.

Also, what a sensible person the Sydney urologist was - there are some who I fear would say nothing, take the money and run!

[Grommett]

I'm glad I didn't have to go shopping dressed like this.

On the other hand how relaxed is that person. They have a good attitude, but I am with you, there are some things you do not need to share. :rolleyes:

BTW latest PSA less than 0.05 :D:D