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Thread: A time for reflection.
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30th December 2012, 03:06 PM #1Deceased
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A time for reflection.
At this time of the year I normally reflect on what has happened, the good, the bad and the ugly and then try to improve on it next year.
As it's now 5 years since my GP recommended that I go and see a specialist because he felt that I might have prostate cancer, I've been reflecting on the long journey that began then.
Briefly as some of you know I did have prostate cancer, had a radical prostectamy and then started the watchful waiting to see if all was gone.
Alas it was not and I had to have radiation treatment (35 consecutive days radiation treatment) and also testosterone suppressing drugs, now called ADT, for 3 years.
During the radiation treatment my psa tests showed that they couldn't detect any cancer and has remained so. Monitoring of the ADT drugs shows that I haven't had major or long lasting side effects, so the Men's health clinic and the Urology department next visits will be in twelve months time.
I then developed breathing problems and scans showed that I had an eventration of my right hemi diaphragm, meaning the liver had pushed into my right lung. All the tests and scans showed that they were all working and I should not have been hyperventilating all the time. Turned out it was the blood pressure tablets that was slowly killing me.
Change of tablets and my breathing became, not quite normal, but acceptable. Recent breathing tests show that my lung muscles regained strength and the lung clinic has discharged me.
Whilst I had the breathing problems the Men's health clinic referred me to the liver specialists as my liver function tests were still out of the norm. They discovered that I had Auto immune hepatitis and started treatment.
During this treatment I had to have a Gastroscopy which showed that unrelated to the liver problem I had stomach ulcers and was given antibiotics to cure this.
The shock treatment of steroids for the auto immune hepatitis has worked and now they are trying to work out a long term dosage to control the disease.
This journey at times has been trying and frustrating and so far has involved 100 hospital visits to see specialists or have special tests, scans, xrays etc. done.
But I think that now there is light at the end of the tunnel, and next year will be a lot better at last.
I'm starting to enjoy life a bit more, been turning a bit so I'll be around a bit longer.
Peter.
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30th December 2012 03:06 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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30th December 2012, 05:07 PM #2SENIOR MEMBER
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My hat's off to to you, may 2013 be a great year for you.
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30th December 2012, 05:22 PM #3Intermediate Member
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Lots of good wishes your way Sturdee.
Kaye
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31st December 2012, 02:36 PM #4
And I though my last five years were crappy. I hope you've turned the corner and the future will be kinder to you.
RobertCheck my facebook:rhbtimber
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31st December 2012, 02:48 PM #5
Best wishes for a kinder 2013 Sturdee
Hi Sturdee,
Best wishes for a kinder 2013.
May you encounter good turning woods and get to spend much time family and friends.
Very best wishes from Perth, WA.
Chris
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31st December 2012, 04:25 PM #6Deceased
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Thanks guys
I think I've turned the corner as my prostate cancer is no longer detectable, my hyperventilating problems have gone and my breathing capacity is now acceptable for the lifestyle I lead.
Whilst being under the care of the Men's health clinic I regularly, first every two month, then three and finally quarterly, had comprehensive blood test, about 35 different tests every time, monitoring my general health and yearly bone scans. Further last year among the scans done was a heart stress ultrasound, various CT scans, ultrasounds, MRI's, fluroscopies,a gastroscopy and a CT virtual colonoscopy.
So the doctors have a very good idea of my health and the only thing now worrying is the stomach ulcers and the auto immune hepatitis.
I have a further gastroscopy booked for checking up on the stomach ulcers in two weeks time. Just hope I don't have the emergency problem I had last time when whilst having the procedure my blood pressure kept falling and falling and was only arrested at 50. Waking up with about 8 doctors and nurses around you and with more tubes going into me then before was a bit surprising and I was kept for observation for about 7 hours before the doctors let me go home.
My liver doctors are now happy and are working out a long term dosage to maintain my condition and they don't seem to think there will be further problems.
So once this is sorted out all I will have to have is a psa test and abdomen ultrasound every 6 months. One to make sure that my prostate cancer hasn't returned and the other to make sure that I haven't developed liver cancer. Something that I'm now susceptible to.
So life's good.
Peter.
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1st January 2013, 07:53 AM #7Foo
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I like your out look on your life Sturdee and hope it is a very good future for you.
Foo
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1st January 2013, 08:20 AM #8SENIOR MEMBER
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Health matters
Hi Peter
Good to see your still well and truly on the right side of the turf and ready to climb some trees. This year can't be worse than the last. Your fortunate to have such an excellent medically facility to look after you.
Whitewood
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1st January 2013, 11:28 AM #9
This time of the year is a time a lot of us do find our selves in reflection. The time doesn't slip away now it fairly gallops away.
Pete you have certainly have had a time of it with all the health issues! Its easy to understand why people throw their hands in the air and say its just too hard. But you have faced all your problems and are on the right side of them all. I hope that this New Year will see less visits to the medicos and that you are not just well but are really well and you enjoy the life around youJust do it!
Kind regards Rod
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8th January 2013, 05:29 PM #10Skwair2rownd
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Got to give it to you Sturdee! You are a tough bugger!!
Just hope things improve for you.
All the best for the new year!!
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13th February 2013, 08:01 PM #11Deceased
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It's turning out to be a great year.
Saw the liver specialists today and I'm continuing to improve.
My blood tests are still good so we are reducing the Prednisolone down to 5 mg a day ( down from 40 mg when I started whilst staying on the same dose of Azathioprine for the next two months when I have my next appointment.
My 6 monthly Abdomen Ultrasound was clear as there were no lumps being the first sign of cancer, so that is even better.
Finally the last Gastroscopy showed that the stomach ulcers are healing so the antibiotics have worked. I'll need another one prior to my next appointment to make sure it's all healed.
Physically I'm feeling much better, since the new year I've been working most days to get the garden in shape, fixing the fencing and gates and painting them. I've used 60 litres of fence paint and am nearly finished with the garden. It was all overgrown as for the last two years I haven't been well enough to tackle it.
Still get tired at about 5 pm but at least I can do a days work again.
Next job will be to fix up and paint the outside of our part double story weatherboard house.Another job that should have been done last year so I'm looking foprward to get it done.
Peter.
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16th February 2013, 09:17 AM #12Novice
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Good on you sturdee. It can be quite a challenge. The period after can be a very reflective time. I know I think about what I should have done and importantly what I want to do in the future.
I had was diagnosed three and a half years ago - had the full job - Radical Prostatectomy, Radiation Therapy and Hormone Therapy.
Side effects have been slight incontinence and bloody impotence (which has knocked me around mentally more than I thought it would). My PSA is still rising despite all of that so I was 'lucky' it was found when it was. Could well be 'toes up' by now.
I like to think I don't have Cancer but I do and I put it to the back of my mind as best I can. I now have a broken marriage to contend with and all the associated things that go along with that.
So in the past six year I have been unemployed, worked casually, been diagnosed with Cancer and am going through a Divorce. I do have the children and a good job both of which keep me pretty balanced.
And everyday I get up glad to be alive and with a pretty cheery outlook on life.
I figure we only live once - make every day count.
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16th February 2013, 09:27 AM #13Foo
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That's good to hear Sturdee.
Hang in there KymG but you are right in saying, every day you wake up is a plus.
Foo
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16th February 2013, 09:56 AM #14
Sadly we hear of so many such journey's and we are all close to someone who is at some point on that journey. Hang in there mate & give it all you've got. Those oncology specialists & nursing staff are the best people arround. Make sure no matter what happens that you keep in touch with your interests like turning, & keep your hand in even if its only to make a small item like a pen or spin top every now & then, very theraputic. Get help early if you start feeling down.
I've just turned 6 (again) after a "heart attack" a few days after my 49th birthday. Its been an interesting 6 years with some hiccups, some dark times, some funny ones too, and some long breaks away from the lathe, and bloody frustrating that doing larger bowl projects etc create some physical problems for me, but you just have to make the best of it & help others along the way "that are much worse off than me."
I'm very thankfull that my condition is a rather "mechanical" and can be managed with an "EFI" system, high risks but fairly easily managed. Its keeping under the tacho limit thats the problem now & behaving myself.
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16th February 2013, 10:28 AM #15Deceased
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Sad to hear that mate and good luck with your difficult journey.
I think that I'm lucky that my PSA at about half way during the radiation treatment dropped to less then 0.01 and has remained that way ever since. As my Urologist said just before Xmas prostate cancer is the least of my worries but I will need to remain vigilant and have regular tests as I'll never know if I'm permanently cured.
I had the same side effects and the slight stress incontinence only stopped after 4 years when I started the steroid treatment for my liver problems.
Side effects from the 3 year course of hormone treatment included hot flushes, night sweats, loss of facial and chest hairs and finally I started to develop young girls breasts. The lack of testosterone over 3 years allowed the body's estrogen level to increase and slowly allowed my feminine side to take over.
These symptoms will go away when the treatment is over as after about a year I don't have hot flushes etc anymore, I have to shave regularly again and the breasts are disappearing as my male side is reasserting itself.
I found it helpful to share and discuss these things on the forum so if you need to talk let us know .
Peter.
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