I’ve been encouraged to write this post by my urology physiotherapist – yes there is such a thing – to share my journey and encourage discussion amongst men.
Well, the short history was that some 6 years ago during my routine annual blood tests organised by my regular GP we discovered that my PSA reading which was for my age (mid 60’s) higher than we anticipated (4-5). He referred me to a local urologist for a biopsy.
Yes I had a small group of cancer cells in my prostate but no need to worry it was a very small group so we decided to adopt an active surveillance program. All that meant was that I saw my urologist twice a year who would go over my blood PAS readings and also do a small rectile exam . Every 18 – 24 months I would do another biopsy as well.
My PSA readings would fluctuate over time which was normal for me and the exams and biopsies showed the cancer wasn’t spreading a lot. This went on for 6 years as I said at the start until the last biopsy showed a little more cancerous growth in the prostate so it was time to make a decision. Decisions ranged from radiation therapy to surgery. There are two types of surgery: open prostatectomy or robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy
I chose the second type of surgery (robot assisted) as it promised to heal quicker. Now there’s lots of emotions around all this and some people will make different decisions for all sorts of reasons.
BUT what I wanted to say that at this point I had kept this diagnosis, the appointments, the exams, the biopsies and the final decision on surgery fairly quiet. Few people outside my immediate family knew anything. I wasn’t looking for sympathy and was just trying to play the whole thing down a little. In my head I wasn’t going to die and I could live my normal active lifestyle (golf, gym, swimming, biking, gardening etc..). I was the lucky one.
This year my 96 y.o. father died. We discovered in the previous 12 months of supporting him to live alone that he had prostate cancer. There was an advantage having to take him to medical appointments. No one in the family knew and in the end it wasn’t the cancer that killed him it was a fall, apparently that’s quite normal. So not telling anyone runs in the family it seems.
I’ve also learnt that “blokes” are not usually good at doing regular medical checks – I think my behaviour changed a little in my early to mid 50’s when I had an irregular arrhythmia. My electro cardiologist performed an ablation to resolve it. It was my wake up call. I do wonder what other blokes wake up calls are to change our behaviours around regular medical checkups.
Anyway – what’s next – Oh yes the decision, the operation and post operative care – that’s at least another post. So join in the conversation.
