Thread: My battle with prostate cancer continues.

Originally Posted by whitewood

As I write this I can't remember where you live but it could help if you could manage a referral to a prostate cancer specialist in a capital city to the discuss the latest options for treatment and whether you would be eligible to participate in some trials.


John

John,

I live in Melbourne and my operation was done at the Austin hospital in Heidelberg. This hospital has a very good reputation in cancer treatment as it also encompasses the old Repat Hospital and the Olivia Newton John Cancer centre.

My referring urologist that sent me to this hospital is actually the head of the Austin's urology department and I'm still an outpatient of the Austin.

When I previously referred to my doctors it wasn't my GP's but the urology specialists at the outpatient clinics of the Austin and the tests being ordered and the radiation treatment are at the same hospital.

As I'm still their patient there was no referral needed nor a long waiting list. So, although disappointing that I need further treatment, I'm extremely confident and happy that I'm in good hands as I'm at a hospital that really specialises in cancer treatment unlike the 2 public hospitals that are closer.


Peter.

Originally Posted by Sturdee

Today I feel a bit depressed at this news as I was hoping that it was over so just as well that tomorrow the mini woodworking show is on as I need some retail therapy.


Peter.

Well I've had my retail therapy yesterday and it helped to get rid of the blues.

Today I picked up a few more doors from the local hard rubbish collection ( now totalling 41 so far) for the remaining job of completing the insulating and soundproofing my workshop area. I've used 34 already and these will soundproof the under house area where the cyclone is housed.

So I'm getting over it and planning the next stages in my effort to finish my workshop for all the many years still to come.

Peter.

Hang in there Peter, you'll do fine.

Onya Sturdee, keep moving forward.

Keep on keeping on Sturdee.

I guess we all support each other in sickness and in health on these forums. I had the Da Vinci method done on the 26th November 2008, and on the 9th of January, my PSA had dropped from 26 down to 0.4. My surgeon said that whilst I was pleased with the new reading, he wanted it to read zero. He said another three months from that date might show that it was just a residual reading, and now gone, or that it may still be reading thereabouts, or even a bit higher. If so, further steps would be taken.

I have vrtually put the cancer out of my mind, only to be reminded when I cough, or just clear my throat. A little squirt of urine is felt but these new fangled mens pads take care of it. If I haven't changed the pad for a good while and visit next doors, their German Shep lets me know by shoving her nose near that area. Apart from that, no-one has complained, and the pads usually appear to have not even been used when I change them.

I guess we are all here for a certain time, and then we must leave. I came home from my surgery with just 25 hours in hospital. One month later we all had a fine Christmas dinner cooked by SWMBO and then late in January, I lost my Mum. I now have that stress plus all the stresses of the executor of her will to contend with. I've decided to handle it as another lesson in life, which it is really, not having done this before. We will be stressed, just as we will breathe that air we need. Make the best of it, and love everyone as much as you can. I have dropped the idea of ever driving the "Big Jiggers" out on the highways again though, that stress would now be too much for me to bear.

That's crap Peter
Get better mate, we need you around here.

Hang in there Sturdee, don't let the bastard get you down.

Originally Posted by Sturdee

As a first step next week I'll have another CT scan (3rd so far) and the following week a bone scan.

Peter.

I had my CT scan this afternoon.

For those who have never had one the procedure required me to drink a contrast solution over a period of 45 minutes so that my stomach etc can be better seen, change into light clothing and have an needle contraption inserted into my arm for the other contrast solution to be injected into my bloodstream which is also to assist reading the scans.

Then you lay on the machine table and have a few scans with only the solution that you drank earlier and then the contrast solution is injected into the vein and further scans are taken. This final solution makes you very hot and in my case very tired.

During the 5 minutes that you are on the machine they take a couple of hundred xray pictures, being little slices or crosssections of your body.

The whole procedure took about an hour. Not a very pleasant experience but necessary.

Next Tuesday I have bone scan where they inject me with a radioactive solution to check on my bone structure and also my first appointment with my radiation oncologist. No doubt that will tell me everything about the radiation treatment. Pleased to see that so far everything is moving at a very quick pace.

As usual for the Austin, the staff I met today were very pleasant and helpful and they make you feel that they really care. You don't always get that at a public hospital.


Peter.

Thanks for the update.... fingers crossed.

Peter,

we have never met, but I have been following your progress on the other thread since I came back onto the forum after my Prostatectomy.

I am so sorry to hear that your PSA is rising, here's hoping that the radiation works and that the CT shows no spread (it could just be a small piece of the prostate the surgery missed - this is what my doc warned me about).

Keep your chin up and remember that a positive attitude is half the battle.

Cheers

Ado

Originally Posted by Sturdee

................ and the following week a bone scan.

Well I had my bone scan today. Arrived at 9.00am and was injected with a radio active material that is drawn up into my bones and an appointment made for 12.30 today for the scan.

At 12.30 I had to remove all metal meterial and laid on a moveable bed and slowly moved throught the machine whilst it took a scan of my bones afterwhich I could leave. The scan took about 40 minutes and was a pleasant experience.


Peter.

Also today I had my initial consultation at the Radiation Oncology department of the Austin at the Repat clinic.

My doctor outlined the treatments available, the possible side effects (none of these are very pleasant), the actual procedures involved and the alternative of doing nothing.

I have an aggressive form of cancer and the interdepartmental review committee that looked into my case last week recommended that I undergo hormonal treatment as well as radiation treatment. Radiation treatment to target the area around and near the prostate and hormonal treatment for my whole body in case some of the cancer cells settle outside the nearer area.

Doing nothing is not an option so I took the advice of my doctors and will commence hormonal treatment as soon as possible (probably Thursday when my prescription is filled) and set in train the steps needed for radiation treatment.

I will need a further set of different tests to prepare for the radiation, including further CT scans and an MRI, I am also referred to Men's Health (part of Melb Uni) for monitoring of the various side effects.

So now I go and fight that savage foe that is raging in me even though the procedures are not enjoyable, in the hope that this kills it.


Peter.

Good luck Sturdee, our thoughts are with you...


Look after yourself and keep us informed.

Yup, all the best Sturdee, I guess they already told you that the hormonal treatment can mess with your moods.