One year recap.
It is now a year since my annual blood test for cholesterol showed a raised PSA level. I got the results the next day on my iPad Patient Access app, so my first reaction was what was my PSA level, last year in 2016? No result, so what was it the year before? Result not tested! I go all the way back to 2010 when I was 55 and it was 2.2 but it’s now at 16.7. That was the first and only test for seven years. Where is the NHS screening process?
Looks like I might have the Big C. Go to doctors, referred to urology under the two week rule. Very quickly seen in local urology department where the doctor performed a digital rectal examination which my own GP (now buggered off out of reach of the General Medical Council’s complaints mechanism) had declined to do two years before saying: “We don’t do that these days”.
mpMRI and bone scans followed in short order. Offered the TRUS biopsy there and then but was forewarned to avoid one if possible because of its inaccuracy.
They said I might be on a long waiting list for an alternative template biopsy, but it was only a few weeks. It found cancer rated Gleason 4+3 = 7. Discussed treatment with local surgeon and oncologist, but opted for surgery out of area with a world-renowned surgeon on the NHS. Operation uneventful and successful. PSA is undetectable and I’m currently cancer-free and dry as a bone (including orgasms☹️) And apart from complete erectile dysfunction and a lost 2” (must order that penis pump) I have never felt so well and I couldn’t be more pleased.
It all seems so long ago, even the surgery only six months ago. I will certainly remember 2018 - an interesting year.......we had to cancel two cruises. Surprised I’ve got any blood left - they’ve sampled nearly an armful!
And a big, big, thank you to all the staff at the NHS (except for one) and those of you here who have offered words of advice over the past year.
To others here, PCa usually isn’t the end of the road (or the world).
Best of luck.
Cheers, John.
Edited by member 26 Nov 2018 at 07:58
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