I find this very hard to share as i always promised my husband that he would die at home.
He was lying beside me in bed, an old motorcycle racer who had many hard knocks, saying 'I feel like I've got broken ribs'
And I knew if anyone knew what broken ribs felt like, he did! If we still had all the bikes he totalled I would not have to work!
So I said if you have not had any falls or crashes lately, go see your doctor.
'why?' 'because the only other reason you have broken ribs is cancer'
,
'Oh thanks very much. There was me looking for you to help me sleep'
Then he admitted to tingling fingers as well as back pain and with a family history( his dad died of a sudden heart attack) although he had never smoked in his life, we went through a full heart survey. ECG, Xray, bloods, all came up ok except the heart under a little stress. As he worked in a very physical job we accepted that. Back Xrays ok. So more painkillers.
End of week, painkillers no use. Still lying awake beside me inpain and unable to sleep. And I will never forgive myself for going to the spare room. Never leave your man. Snoring or not!
So by Thurs our junior doc was on leave and he saw the boss who said 'lets take an xray from the side' , 'and an extra bs while we're at it.
He knew what he was looking at. Stabbing back pain, tingling fingers = collapsed vertebrae for a pathological reason.
56yr old male who has had regular bum checks? Last one three weeks ago?
This is the most shocking PSA level I think our doc had seen without having a serious prostate proplem. His prostate was described as 'firm,but not lumpy' and nothing to worry about.
PSA 3979.
For those of you who know about these things, bleepers.
So my beloved hubby had 2 collapsed vertebrae, broken ribs, pelvic involvement but NO prostate symptoms.
His doctors initiated treatment IMMEDIATELY and i cannot fault them enough.
We had a fantastic last year together including a trip he had promised me for all the 14 years we were married.
But unfortunately he had a particularly aggressive type of prostate cancer that did not respond to any treatment.
..
However i feel if it had been screened for in the way women's cancers are, and all men aged 50 actually KNEW they were allowed this free blood test,it would have been picked up sooner. And all the science is infavour of early diagnosis.
PROSTATE CANCER WILL AFFECT ONE IN TWO MEN if you dont die of something else first.
.