Prostate gland cancer?

Thursday 26 May
My wife and I went to see the specialist surgeon at the Oncology Unit. He also explained to us the pros and cons of the 4 options we have. We can either wait and do nothing, or we can opt for removal of the gland, or the surgical removal of the cancer, or the radiation.

He said the cancer that was spotted is  a focus, which means that they are not 100% sure of cancer, because the gland was infected.

Anyway, he did another rectal inspection of the gland and there was no pain or swelling of the gland. Then he sent me for another blood test for the PSA reading. My last reading in February was just over 3 he said. So I have to return to see him in 2 weeks' time. At this time we also have to discuss a treatment plan.

Keep well, and remember go for your tests. They are vitally important after the age of 45.

Lower Back ache

Monday 23 May 2011

I have injured my back the previous Wednesday afternoon. I was helping to move my sister-in-law from the bed to a massage chair. She had suffered from a major stroke and was treated at home by her daughter.

Unfortunately I could not position my feet and body correctly in relation to her body. That is when I injured my back. Strangely enough, I did not feel anything untoward at that moment. It was the next day that I started feeling slight pain in my lower back. But then the pain got really intense on the Friday Afternoon. In fact, I was in bed almost the whole of the Saturday as well as the Sunday.

I had to go to our GP on the Monday, as the muscle on the left side of my spine (lower back) was in a spasm. He gave me a muscle relaxer. But I am not completely over the pain yet. It is better, but not completely well.

In retrospect, I should have asked for a referral to a physiotherapist, for further treatment.

Anyway, he booked me off for 4 days, until Thursday 26 May. So I returned to work on Friday 27 May 2011.

Be careful with your back. Back injuries are serious, as almost all movement is via our spine, or our spines are involved in almost all movement of the body, directly or directly.

Prostate gland cancer

Hi

Last year on 20 May 2010, I had arthroscopy in my left knee. The knee is fine. I walk a lot. It favours uphill, and I have no complanints whatsoever.

A few weeks ago I went to our family doctor with flu. I also him to send me for blood tests to check blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, prostate gland health etc.

The test came back with a high FSA reading, which means that something could be wrong with my prostate gland. Our doctor then sent me to a Urologist, who did a physical rectal inspection of the gland. I experienced no pain or discomfort and there was no sign of swelling of the gland. I also did not have trouble urinating, and I did not have the need to urinate frequently. (although I had some blood in the urine, which our house doctor picked up).

The urologist then suggested a rectal guide scope and biopsy, to make 100% sure that the prostate is healthy. I went for this procedure on Thursday 21 April. What a bloody affair.

Then on Monday 10 May I had to go and see the urologist, who had the results back from the lab. He told me that early signs of cancer was found in two places in my prostate gland. I had 4 options i.e. (1) I could do nothing or (2) I could go for hormone treatment where the testicles are removed with all the complications thereof, or (3) I could have the prostate gland removed, and face the negative effect thereof, or (4) I could op for radiation. Internal radiation is preferred rather than external radiation. With internal radiation radioactive pellets are inserted into the prostate gland via the penis. These pellets will then radiate the cancer away with time. The urologists asked me to discuss the problem and treatment with my family and then to come back to him when I have made a choice, on which treatment option to follow.

When I checked the pros and cons of the treatment options on the internet, I decide to go for the Internal radiation. My wife agreed. In fact, we went back to him on Friday 14 May. After that his office arranged with an oncology lab for the radiation pellets and things. He told me thes pellets are ordered from the USA.
I have to see that specialist now on Thursday 26 May at 1.00 pm

Keep well. If you are a male over 40, I urge you to go for these yearly blood tests.

High Blood Pressure - cures recommend by doctors

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure (a reading higher than 140/90), you have to get treatment, as sustained high blood pressure could lead to other health problems, such as high blood pressure.
Some doctors recommend the following alternative cures for high blood pressure;
• Fish oil for arteries
One of the most important steps in lowering high blood pressure is to cut down on saturated fat – the kind found in red meats and dairy products. It is recommended that fish be eaten daily, even twice daily if possible. Alternatively omega-3 fatty acids can be taken as a supplement to help lower high blood pressure.
• Eat potassium rich foods
It is recommended that at least two bananas be eaten a day, since high potassium intake can prevent high blood pressure, and lower existing high blood pressure. Other fruits rich in potassium include: dates, apricots, kiwifruit, honeydew melons, nectarines, mangoes, avocados, watermelons, etc.
Some of the potassium-rich vegetable sources include: celery, Swiss chard, parsley, spinach, watercress, cucumbers, broccoli, tomato juice, sweet potatoes and winter squash.
Warning: High intake of potassium could be dangerous for those suffering from kidney disease. Check with your doctor before increasing your intake of potassium.
• Drink 15 glasses of water. It is the most important recommendation for lowering high blood pressure.
The above are recommended alternatives only. If you want to use one or more of these recommendations, you have to consult your GP first.

More health articles can be read at here.

Lose weight naturally

It is possible to lose weight naturally, by combining a healthy diet with physical exercise and a healthy lifestyle. The underlying success guarantee of a weight loss program is that your energy input must not exceed your energy input.

 

The principles of a healthy diet are:

• Eat a healthy breakfast. A cereal with skimmed milk and a fruit will suffice. The biggest mistake is to skip breakfast. A healthy breakfast breaks the “fast”, since the last meal the previous night. Skipping it may lead to overeating at the midmorning snack, or at lunch time.
• Cut refined foods such as white sugar and white bread. In fact, there is already enough sugar in our fruits and vegetables.
• Cut the salt, especially if you have high blood
  pressure.
• Cut the snacks, pastries and takeaways. Most snacks
  are high in kilojoules and high in fat and salt. The same
  can be said of pastries and takeaways. The best is to steer
  clear of them.
• Cut out fizzy drinks. Drink fruit juice diluted 50% with water. The reason why you have to dilute the juice is so that the water will help flush out waste from the kidneys, more easily.
• Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables.
  However, fruit contain a high level of sugar, and must therefore
  be consumed in limited quantities.
• Drink lots of water. You must drink at least 8 glasses of water, or 1 litre. You can drink more in extremely hot conditions, or if you are training.

 

It's time for action

Hi everyone

It is time to get active. Last night I went for a walk, as part of my rehab. it was pretty cold. but I have skipped the day before and skipping 2 days in a row is not on.

My knee is feeling much better. I am working the muscles with the prescribed exercises.

Many people make the mistake of staying indoors in the winter. Keep on going. It is difficult to lose those extra kilos in the summer.

I am losing weight at the moment. My immediate target is to lose 10 kilograms. I now drink tea and coffee without sugar.

The only other thing I need to overcome is snacking on savouries and sweets. But it will come right.

Keep well
Greetings
Tommy

I am up and about after my op

Update

It’s been a week since my op last week. I must say that I did struggle to sleep for the first few nights. But things got better with time. The problem was that one does not know which way to position the affected leg, and one has to change body position every now and then.

I do my walking every day, as well as the prescribed exercises.
The only things that I am not allowed are:
• Driving
• Stairs
• Unequal surfaces in general

Walking is prescribed, since it helps to strengthen the muscles and tendons of the joint. Furthermore the joint is kept flexible as well.
I have an appointment with Dr Swart in 1 week’s time.

C u soon!
Tommy