How's that for alliteration? :)

Anyhow, results of my scan show I may have cancer.  May have.  If so, it's at such an early stage that there's nothing to worry myself over.  Had a biopsy this morning - which wasn't the most fun ever - to confirm the presence or absence of any cancerous tissue.

I am, however, going to need surgery no matter what, because my prostate is causing quite an obstruction.  I suppose the good news on that score is, if there's any cancer they can kill two birds with one stone.

Further tests to follow, because there's also blood in my urine, which as we all know, shouldn't be there.

Should know more in a couple of weeks.

We will be thinking of you. My husband also had the turp procedure about 2 years ago and all went well. I am sure you are in good hands.

Thinking of you in my prayers.

Thoughts, prayers and White Light to you my friend!!

Thank you, all.

Worst case scenario, I'm going to be sore for a bit. I'd rather not be, but them's the breaks.

Keeping you in my thoughts Sam, and keeping my fingers crossed as well.

I hope you will overcome this, and I will keep you in my prayers.

Thank you, everyone. I'm more annoyed with the situation than anything else; It's all going to be fine, everything will be under control and I'm not in the least worried. What really hacks me off is, we have a lot of other stuff to deal with, Claire isn't in the best of health herself and me being out of action for a while is only going to add to her burden.

Still, at least I'll be up and around after a while, so there's that, at least. Better being above ground than below.

If it's any consolation my friend, my husband had bladder cancer that spread to his prostate and was stage four, had chemo (and took it like a champ), had surgery and was back to work in 6 months. That was nearly 5 years ago now and he's still kicking. Doc said he could live for another 40 years. LOL.

Keep that positive attitude - it makes all the difference :) I'll keep you in my prayers.

Laurie

Nice one, Laurie; many thanks. Continued good health to your husband, and you of course.

Oh damn! Best wishes Sam!!!! Edit-I did not intend that to rhyme.

Eric Walters posted at 1:46PM Thu, 02 May 2019 - #4351123

Oh damn! Best wishes Sam!!!! Edit-I did not intend that to rhyme.

Best wishes Sam. These boards wouldn't be the same without you. I pray we never have to find that out.

rokket posted at 8:30PM Tue, 07 May 2019 - #4351209

Best wishes Sam. These boards wouldn't be the same without you. I pray we never have to find that out.

Thanks, mate. Latest news is, I go for a bladder biopsy next Monday. Having had one before, I can confirm they aren't the most fun way to spend a morning and the view inside my bladder is dead boring. No fish or submarines, no scuba divers or coral reefs. Which is, I guess, a good thing but not very interesting to look at.

Haha! I get you! I am recovering from a nasty staph infection on my ankle. I was only hospitalized for 3 days, but I've seen enough of the inside of one to last me several more years.

I hear you loud and clear.

My dad had prostate cancer just over twenty years ago. He's 85 now and still doing okay.

samcclung65 posted at 1:42PM Wed, 08 May 2019 - #4351423

My dad had prostate cancer just over twenty years ago. He's 85 now and still doing okay.

That's great to know. A doctor once said, if you had to pick one, prostate cancer would be the one to go for. I reckon you lot won't be getting rid of me any time soon.

Mind you, I could get run over by a bus but there you go.

...Bus?!

damnit.. right take the steamroller back guys....

Khai-J-Bach posted at 6:05PM Wed, 08 May 2019 - #4351438

...Bus?!

damnit.. right take the steamroller back guys....

d'yah know how much it costs to rent one of these things... grumble

You should be ashamed of yourself. I was hoping for a flail tank at the very least. :P

Could be worse. Did you see Deadpool? Death by Zamboni...

Not seen it, mate. Sounds painful, though. As does the film. ;)

It was a pretty funny moment in the movie. He was chasing down leads trying to find the guy who created him so he could fix him. He found one guy at a hockey rink, and had injured him so that the guy was dragging himself across the ice, bleeding. He was several meters behind him on the Zamboni, screaming at him to tell where the guy was or "you'll get death by Zamboni... in 5 minutes!" Paraphrasing.

I like Zambonis but I couldn't eat a whole one.

A flail tank?

See me and the tank museum have this deal...

I don't try and "borrow" the displays, they don't use me as target practice during tankfest

Spoilsport.

Just got back from my bladder examination.

Wowee, that wasn't fun at all.

Good news is, nothing untoward there.

Next up, kidney examination via ultrasound. At least it's not invasive.

SamTherapy posted at 12:18PM Mon, 13 May 2019 - #4351606

Next up, kidney examination via ultrasound. At least it's not invasive.

I've had one done every year since I had a Kidney Stone back the end of 2009, and it's very easy, and non-invasive.

Oh, and good to hear the Bladder past inspection.

The doc said in most cases the bladder and kidney checks don't show up any problems and blood in the urine is just one of those things.

Ah, I was wondering what they were doing fiddling around up there. Following up on blood in the urine. It didn't make sense with a Prostate. At least they didn't make you say "Aaahhh". Yeah you should be fine. Just don't do any ballroom dancing for a couple of days ;)

Diagnosis confirmed. As suspected, it's for real. Going to see the specialist in a couple of weeks. Wanted to see me today but I have some other things which can't wait so them's the breaks.

Still not worried.

Here's hoping all goes well, easily, and quickly from here on.

Thank you! I believe surgery followed by a course of whatever they can throw at me is on the horizon. Should be fun.

Another day above ground is a win.

SamTherapy posted at 9:38PM Wed, 22 May 2019 - #4352139

Another day above ground is a win.

ABSOLUTELY!!

Let's hope is a whole lot MORE than just one more day.

Miss B posted at 11:41PM Thu, 23 May 2019 - #4352140

SamTherapy posted at 9:38PM Wed, 22 May 2019 - #4352139

Another day above ground is a win.

ABSOLUTELY!!

Let's hope is a whole lot MORE than just one more day. Well, I have to keep ahead of Khai and his steamroller first.

Miss B posted at 11:41PM Thu, 23 May 2019 - #4352140

SamTherapy posted at 9:38PM Wed, 22 May 2019 - #4352139

Another day above ground is a win.

ABSOLUTELY!!

Let's hope is a whole lot MORE than just one more day.

Well, I have to keep ahead of Khai and his steamroller first.

SamTherapy posted at 7:52PM Thu, 23 May 2019 - #4352198

Well, I have to keep ahead of Khai and his steamroller first.

I have complete faith you'll be able to manage that Sam.

I'm Inno...no wait. I'm Not Guilty!

(there's a legal difference...)

Khai-J-Bach posted at 12:02AM Sat, 25 May 2019 - #4352218

I'm Inno...no wait. I'm Not Guilty!

(there's a legal difference...)

Definitely so in this country.

Back to see the consultant today.

Allowing for the diagnosis, today's visit gave me the best possible news...

The cancer is at such a low level that the consultant believes it's best to let things be for now. To this end, I'll be monitored every 3 months with a follow up appointment. When - obviously not if - things get worse, or if at any time between now and then I decide, treatment will be given. I have the choice of radiotherapy, surgery or a radioactive implant. The implant seems like the best option, with far fewer downsides than the others, and it leaves the option for surgery later, if necessary.

All in all, I feel like I dodged a bullet, even if I haven't really.

Radioactive implant?! Now I have this bizarre mental image of Sam's, uh, "Lil' Sam" turning into some sort of hentai tentacle monster...which could make things "interesting" during those, ahem, "romantic occasions" with Mrs. Therapy. Either that or the implant attracts Daleks like flies!

Sincerely,

Bill

Well, the hulk was created with radiation so...

Not seeing a downside to either scenario.

Hi Sam. How has everything turned out? I've been praying for you.

patorak3d posted at 8:33PM Thu, 20 June 2019 - #4353676

Hi Sam. How has everything turned out? I've been praying for you.

Hey, Pat. Things are the same as last week, as in nothing happening yet. I'll be going for another blood test in September, then a review of the cancer's progress. I'm happy to wait for the duration but sooner or later, I'll be going down the "Radioactive Dingus" route.

Claire says I'm already a complete knob so the radioactive bit may be useful in a power cut.

Damn man, not good to hear :(

Here's hoping they get rid of it ASAP. Look into Intermittent Fasting, it's been proven to improve results with both chemo and radiation therapy. It's also improves cognitive function which is never a bad thing :)

my dad was diagnosed almost 20 years ago, opted for i guess what you're calling 'implants' [it was a bunch of tiny little metal radiated particles], and while the cancer still persists, it is still at an extremely low level after all this time. i believe he was 'implanted' a second time since the radioactivity does fade over time, but as i said, it's been at least 20 years now, and he is approaching his 90th birthday next year. he keeps things monitored, of course, checking in with the doc every 3 months or so.

I'm so sorry I missed this thread. Those who know me knows what I went through last year so I, like everyone in this thread am BIG against cancer. Early detection is the key and you've done great!

For any guy that's waffling, yes I've had a prostate exam and a colonoscopy. Do both. Just make sure you choose the right doctor. It makes all the difference in your feeling of well being. (I passed)