And now the journey begins

User

Posted 19 Nov 2015 at 18:52

Hi all

Decision has now been made with regards HT/RT/Surgery.

I have opted for open surgery with RT afterwards, after meeting with several specialists this is the route that I think is the best way for me to go. All side effects have been discussed with specialists and family, I feel sorry for my wife due to the nature of surgery, no nerve sparingly, but she has been very supportive and has agreed with my decision.

Went to a PCa support group at the Maggies centre, which is located at Monklands Hospital, glad I did as I was able to discuss my concerns with others who have been through all types of treatments. This is something that I would recommend for anybody starting out on this journey as the guys basically laid it on the line about their frustrations and their bad days. Nobody was holding back and these guys were very open and honest, so to me it was a worthwhile visit although it was initially a daunting experience discussing PCa with strangers but these fears were quickly blown away with the friendliest of people who are there to help each other along the way.

My surgery date has now been set officially for the 7th December, so PFEs are being carried out religiously now.

Sandy

User

Posted 19 Nov 2015 at 19:34

Hi Sandy, glad you have made a decision and only you can make it . I bet it has not been an easy one to make.

I hope things go well for you and the side effects do not cause too many problems, I have found that having a strong relationship has been a godsend for me even though my problems are caused by HT and potentially resolve themselves( still got 15 months to go) but talking together and not having too many expectations help.

I have never had the experience of open talking via support groups but can imagine that, if it is anything like this site, it will work wonders for you.

Best of luck with the op on 7th

Regards Chris/Woody

Life seems different upside down, take another viewpoint

User

Posted 19 Nov 2015 at 20:09

all the best Sandy for your op on the 7th Andy

User

Posted 19 Nov 2015 at 21:15

Not too long to wait which is a good thing. All the very best to you
Chris

User

Posted 20 Nov 2015 at 09:50

Very, very best wishes to you and your loved ones!

Pablo

User

Posted 20 Nov 2015 at 14:27

Just to say the very best of luck on December 7th.Please keep posting your journey.

Best Wishes.

Polarbear2.

User

Posted 20 Nov 2015 at 18:18

Good luck Sanders
Xx
Mo

User

Posted 20 Nov 2015 at 21:04

Good look for the 7th and stay positive, I expected the worst and apart from a minor set back things have worked out far better than I could have hoped for.

Thanks Chris

User

Posted 05 Jan 2016 at 22:04

Hi mate, yeah the catheter should be out tomorrow, was supposed to be last week.
Getting loads of discomfort with it now.
Good to hear that you have regained control, how long did it take you and did you do the PFES.
Sandy

Show Most Thanked Posts

User

Posted 19 Nov 2015 at 19:34

Hi Sandy, glad you have made a decision and only you can make it . I bet it has not been an easy one to make.

I have never had the experience of open talking via support groups but can imagine that, if it is anything like this site, it will work wonders for you.

Best of luck with the op on 7th

Regards Chris/Woody

Life seems different upside down, take another viewpoint

User

Posted 19 Nov 2015 at 20:09

all the best Sandy for your op on the 7th Andy

User

Posted 19 Nov 2015 at 21:15

Not too long to wait which is a good thing. All the very best to you
Chris

User

Posted 20 Nov 2015 at 09:50

Very, very best wishes to you and your loved ones!

Pablo

User

Posted 20 Nov 2015 at 14:27

Just to say the very best of luck on December 7th.Please keep posting your journey.

Best Wishes.

Polarbear2.

User

Posted 20 Nov 2015 at 18:18

Good luck Sanders
Xx
Mo

User

Posted 20 Nov 2015 at 21:04

Good look for the 7th and stay positive, I expected the worst and apart from a minor set back things have worked out far better than I could have hoped for.

Thanks Chris

User

Posted 12 Dec 2015 at 20:17

Hi all
Just a wee update, surgery carried out last Monday seemingly I was under the knife for 9 hours.
Woke up Tuesday totally doped up to the eyeballs on morphine and was unable to even stand so spent all day in hospital bed.
Wednesday up out of bed by physio but really strange feeling trying to walk, like being a baby and starting all over again.
Thursday came and still in pain but managed to walk by myself up and down stairs.
Friday is home time, catheter and 1 drain still in place.
Today had a great sleep after waking up after a couple of hours thinking that I had peed the bed but all ok. Testicles are the size of elephant nuts and difficult to hide in PJ'S.
When I saw the damage to below I had a wee tear and some regret for putting myself through this but this soon passed as I thought if the future. RT still on the cards for July. 2 weeks for catheter removal and 8 weeks for results.
Looking forward to Xmas now, just hope the discomfort passes quickly.

User

Posted 12 Dec 2015 at 22:12

Hi Sanders
Kind of weird ,I just was talking with Chris J as he was concerned you hadn't posted!!
I did say you would as soon as you could!
Sounds like you are doing well, just take it very easy if you could watch the op you just had you would know why you feel sore, have the biggest nuts in the universe and need the catheter etc.

All the best
Xx
Mo

User

Posted 12 Dec 2015 at 22:27

Thanks Mo
Time will tell how it went, just like everyone else we would prefer not to be here.
Didn't feel like talking to anyone for a couple of days as I was still trying to get my head around it all plus had a doubt that I had done the correct thing.
Pretty spaced of for a couple of days post op so wasn't in any great shape.
Speak to you later.
Cheers.

User

Posted 13 Dec 2015 at 09:17

Hi Sanders,
Glad that's out of the way for you.

Hope you feel fit enough to enjoy Christmas, the first of many post op I'm sure.

Feeling spaced out after morphine is not unusual. John had it following his hip replacement and it distressed him so much he refused any more.
Apart from the effects of the morphine your body (and mind) have undergone massive trauma so it's not surprising there wasn't a spring in your step.

Best wishes for your continued recovery

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 04 Jan 2016 at 20:12

Hi all

Hope you all had a good xmas and all the best for the new year.

Wee update, I was supposed to get my catheter removed last Tuesday but was told that it would need to stay in place for another week due to the wound internally not being healed enough. Had a dye scan which showed up a small leak.

Don't know if anyone had problems with their catheter when it was in place but I am totally fed up with the discomfort of the bloody thing just cannot wait to get it removed this Wednesday. Loads of pads at the ready for the removal, cannae wait.

Wound has healed up really well and I am feeling good apart from the catheter which is slightly holding me back a wee bit.

Have a date of 16th Feb for results which I know will not be what I want but just hoping that the surgery removed the main part of the cancer.

Anyway hope everyone is looking forward to a brighter and better future.

Onwards and upwards.

Sandy

User

Posted 04 Jan 2016 at 21:42

Hello again Sanders, good to hear that the op went well, although I'm sorry you are having problems with the catheter.

Fingers crossed for you that Wednesday brings you relief.

Best Wishes

Sandra

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 05 Jan 2016 at 19:48

Hi Sandy I found the catheter a real pain what a relief when removed had no control after but would have the pads over the catheter any time , i have regained continence, so all the best Andy

User

Posted 05 Jan 2016 at 22:04

User

Posted 06 Jan 2016 at 06:58

Good luck with the removal sanders.

Hope it's not too uncomfortable for you. Got your well fitting pants ready to take?

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 06 Jan 2016 at 07:09

Hi Sandy I did the PFES but also I walked a lot used to fill pad at first but found it gradually got better until i regained control about 3 months later but went onto RT which set it back a bit but soon regained control again, hope it comes out today Andy

User

Posted 06 Jan 2016 at 10:41

Just out of scan, bad news catheter to stay in place for now.
Scan showing wound not healed 100% at bladder.
Surgeon wanted to wait another 2 weeks for further scan buy specialist nurse managed to get him down to a week.
Totally fed up with the damn thing but need to put up with it for at least another week.
Sandy

User

Posted 13 Jan 2016 at 18:04

Woohoo catheter has been removed now peeing like a trooper.
PFES started.
Weird feeling during catheter removal and a slight sting during peeing but it is a step forward.
Now for the next stage to try and regain some bladder control.
Sandy.

User

Posted 13 Jan 2016 at 18:39

I bet that feels great.

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 13 Jan 2016 at 19:03

Hi Sandra
You better believe it.

User

Posted 13 Jan 2016 at 19:55

Sandy
what a relief in more ways than one.

First hurdle over so best wishes moving forward

xx
Mo

User

Posted 13 Jan 2016 at 20:17

Thanks Mo
Yeah great to get it removed, now it's on to the next stage of getting some control of bladder.
Taking one day at a time but 16th Feb is looming large now, when I get all results etc.
My wife is dreading the outcome but like you say live for today and try to forget about tomorrow.
Sandy.

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