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.