Effing cancer is an effing effer, frankly

[Pugsey]

Tend to be a private guy about personal things BUT.

Thank you for this thread Dibble - and thank you all that have posted.

Why?

I've recently been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Scan and biopsies have confirmed Gleason 7 (NOT good) and suspicion of possible spread to surrounding tissue. Currently awaiting results of bone and further scans done earlier in week. Then in for radical prostatectomy and possible follow up treatment - which will be 'fun'.

My point is that having been through the initial shock/why me/what have I done to deserve it/oh well life's over, mood swings I then read this thread. Now I'm just blxxdy, fecking livid. This crappy bastxrd is NOT going to put a dent in my plans for the rest of my life. No fecking way. I'm in a really determined state of mind now, purely from having read this thread.

A lot is said about the evils of the unforeseen effects of internet posts but this is a case of the opposite. So to all those that have posted I'll just say you may have helped save a life without realising it.

Oh, and soap box moment. BELIEVE the current ad campaign. I ignored the symptoms for too long. DON'T be stupid/embarrassed. It sounds corny but DO speak to your GP!

Edited by Pugsey on Wednesday 10th April 09:17

[ALawson]

Pugsey said:

Tend to be a private guy about personal things BUT.

Thank you for this thread Dibble - and thank you all that have posted.

Why?

I've recently been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Scan and biopsies have confirmed Gleason 7 (NOT good) and suspicion of possible spread to surrounding tissue. Currently awaiting results of bone and further scans done earlier in week. Then in for radical prostatectomy and possible follow up treatment - which will be 'fun'.

My point is that having been through the initial shock/why me/what have I done to deserve it/oh well life's over, mood swings I then read this thread. Now I'm just blxxdy, fecking livid. This crappy bastxrd is NOT going to put a dent in my plans for the rest of my life. No fecking way. I'm in a really determined state of mind now, purely from having read this thread.

A lot is said about the evils of the unforeseen effects of internet posts but this is a case of the opposite. So to all those that have posted I'll just say you may have helped save a life without realising it.

Oh, and soap box moment. BELIEVE the current ad campaign. I ignored the symptoms for too long. DON'T be stupid/embarrassed. It sounds corny but DO speak to your GP!

Edited by Pugsey on Wednesday 10th April 09:17

Chin up and good luck.

P.S. What symptoms?

[Pugsey]

ALawson said:

Pugsey said:

Tend to be a private guy about personal things BUT.

Thank you for this thread Dibble - and thank you all that have posted.

Why?

I've recently been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Scan and biopsies have confirmed Gleason 7 (NOT good) and suspicion of possible spread to surrounding tissue. Currently awaiting results of bone and further scans done earlier in week. Then in for radical prostatectomy and possible follow up treatment - which will be 'fun'.

My point is that having been through the initial shock/why me/what have I done to deserve it/oh well life's over, mood swings I then read this thread. Now I'm just blxxdy, fecking livid. This crappy bastxrd is NOT going to put a dent in my plans for the rest of my life. No fecking way. I'm in a really determined state of mind now, purely from having read this thread.

A lot is said about the evils of the unforeseen effects of internet posts but this is a case of the opposite. So to all those that have posted I'll just say you may have helped save a life without realising it.

Oh, and soap box moment. BELIEVE the current ad campaign. I ignored the symptoms for too long. DON'T be stupid/embarrassed. It sounds corny but DO speak to your GP!

Edited by Pugsey on Wednesday 10th April 09:17

Chin up and good luck.

P.S. What symptoms?

Standard stuff. Initially having to get up for a pee in the night. The frequency of that then increases. Then same thing starts to happen during day. Then 'stream' becomes weaker. All this happens gradually and slowly gets worse. DON'T dismiss them in their early stages because that's when the condition is much easier to treat. Simple blood test (PSA) and GP's finger will tell you if further investigation warranted.

[Boshly]

Pugsey said:

Tend to be a private guy about personal things BUT.

Thank you for this thread Dibble - and thank you all that have posted.

Why?

I've recently been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Scan and biopsies have confirmed Gleason 7 (NOT good) and suspicion of possible spread to surrounding tissue. Currently awaiting results of bone and further scans done earlier in week. Then in for radical prostatectomy and possible follow up treatment - which will be 'fun'.

My point is that having been through the initial shock/why me/what have I done to deserve it/oh well life's over, mood swings I then read this thread. Now I'm just blxxdy, fecking livid. This crappy bastxrd is NOT going to put a dent in my plans for the rest of my life. No fecking way. I'm in a really determined state of mind now, purely from having read this thread.

A lot is said about the evils of the unforeseen effects of internet posts but this is a case of the opposite. So to all those that have posted I'll just say you may have helped save a life without realising it.

Oh, and soap box moment. BELIEVE the current ad campaign. I ignored the symptoms for too long. DON'T be stupid/embarrassed. It sounds corny but DO speak to your GP!

Edited by Pugsey on Wednesday 10th April 09:17

Good luck fella. Use that anger well and keep positive as much as you can!

N-GUNS!

Andy

PS N-GUNS = Never Give, Up Never Surrender (to the bd!)

[Zod]

Pugsey said:

ALawson said:

Pugsey said:

Tend to be a private guy about personal things BUT.

Thank you for this thread Dibble - and thank you all that have posted.

Why?

I've recently been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Scan and biopsies have confirmed Gleason 7 (NOT good) and suspicion of possible spread to surrounding tissue. Currently awaiting results of bone and further scans done earlier in week. Then in for radical prostatectomy and possible follow up treatment - which will be 'fun'.

My point is that having been through the initial shock/why me/what have I done to deserve it/oh well life's over, mood swings I then read this thread. Now I'm just blxxdy, fecking livid. This crappy bastxrd is NOT going to put a dent in my plans for the rest of my life. No fecking way. I'm in a really determined state of mind now, purely from having read this thread.

A lot is said about the evils of the unforeseen effects of internet posts but this is a case of the opposite. So to all those that have posted I'll just say you may have helped save a life without realising it.

Oh, and soap box moment. BELIEVE the current ad campaign. I ignored the symptoms for too long. DON'T be stupid/embarrassed. It sounds corny but DO speak to your GP!

Edited by Pugsey on Wednesday 10th April 09:17

Chin up and good luck.

P.S. What symptoms?

Standard stuff. Initially having to get up for a pee in the night. The frequency of that then increases. Then same thing starts to happen during day. Then 'stream' becomes weaker. All this happens gradually and slowly gets worse. DON'T dismiss them in their early stages because that's when the condition is much easier to treat. Simple blood test (PSA) and GP's finger will tell you if further investigation warranted.

How old are you, if that's not an impertinent question?

[Pugsey]

Zod said:

Pugsey said:

ALawson said:

Pugsey said:

Tend to be a private guy about personal things BUT.

Thank you for this thread Dibble - and thank you all that have posted.

Why?

I've recently been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Scan and biopsies have confirmed Gleason 7 (NOT good) and suspicion of possible spread to surrounding tissue. Currently awaiting results of bone and further scans done earlier in week. Then in for radical prostatectomy and possible follow up treatment - which will be 'fun'.

My point is that having been through the initial shock/why me/what have I done to deserve it/oh well life's over, mood swings I then read this thread. Now I'm just blxxdy, fecking livid. This crappy bastxrd is NOT going to put a dent in my plans for the rest of my life. No fecking way. I'm in a really determined state of mind now, purely from having read this thread.

A lot is said about the evils of the unforeseen effects of internet posts but this is a case of the opposite. So to all those that have posted I'll just say you may have helped save a life without realising it.

Oh, and soap box moment. BELIEVE the current ad campaign. I ignored the symptoms for too long. DON'T be stupid/embarrassed. It sounds corny but DO speak to your GP!

Edited by Pugsey on Wednesday 10th April 09:17

Chin up and good luck.

P.S. What symptoms?

Standard stuff. Initially having to get up for a pee in the night. The frequency of that then increases. Then same thing starts to happen during day. Then 'stream' becomes weaker. All this happens gradually and slowly gets worse. DON'T dismiss them in their early stages because that's when the condition is much easier to treat. Simple blood test (PSA) and GP's finger will tell you if further investigation warranted.

How old are you, if that's not an impertinent question?

Late 50s matey. BUT all Docs I've spoken to have said once you're 40+ you should have check up every two years and that, with increased awareness they are seeing far, far more cases in younger guys. Worse, if a younger guy is diagnosed with it it's far more likely to be a more aggressive form - so even more important to get checked. That said 3 in 5 guys will have prostate cancer present when they die at a ripe old age of something else never knowing they had it.

Comments truly appreciated guys but really my post was to thank those who posted on this thread and, unwittingly, helped strengthen my mental attitude. It wasn't meant to start being about me. A lot of folk out there a lot worse off.

[Broomsticklady]

Pugsey - my sympathy - I have secondary breast cancer so the same prognosis as you - but to give you heart- I've had it nearly 2 years now and am currently stable with extensive bone mets, and have been since last September on oral chemo xeloda. Also second your urges of guys to get checked -my OH has had PSA tests due to family history for a few years now. Finger test confirmed enlarged prostrate, so off for biopsy next month and see where we go from there. Without PSA we'd not have known - knowledge is King!!

So agree with al sentiments re effing cancer and love this thread - and even more now if it's strengthened your resolve!!

One OT thought for you - if you need travel insurance it will be hard for you - try Eurotunnel - no health questionnaire, just confirmation from onc you're fit to travel. My quotes of 12K for 2 weeks in mexico replaced by £112 annual worldwide for both if us!! No vested interest, just fed up with so called specialist insurers ripping people off and sharing good provider I found!!

[Dibble]

I could do with some positivity, people.

My best mate, a guy I've known for the last 30 years, is in hospital tonight. What he thought was a slipped disc/bad back, after today's MRI scan, is a 2cm tumour on his spine. He's had the bad back a few weeks but went to a&E today after his legs felt leaden/dumb. He and his wife are (naturally) both stting themselves that it's cancerous. I'm hoping and praying (as they are) that it's benign, not malignant/cancerous.

They'll know more after he has surgery tomorrow to remove the tumour. I wish there was something I could do.

PHUCK YOU CANCER,YOU PHUCKING PHUCKER. PHUCK OFF AND LEAVE MY MATE ALONE.

[boobles]

Chin up mate, It's probably nothing to worry about at all & he will the all clear as everyone is hoping.

[Dibble]

boobles said:

Chin up mate, It's probably nothing to worry about at all & he will the all clear as everyone is hoping.

Cheers boobles. Tried to rely earlier but kept getting an error message on the phone.

So today I've done the school run with his kids, driven his wife to hospital and spent the da waiting for him to go to theatre then to come back. Into theatre at 3.25, back to the ward at 9.30. The main thing is there's no obvious paralysis but no update on how successful the removal of tumour was. His wife should fbd that out tomorrow, then another 7-10 days wait to find out whether its benign or malignant.

I've just dropped his wife at home then driven home myself. Been a long day, but longer for them.

So, once more, from the top, with feeling:

PHUCK YOU CANCER, YOU PHUCKING PHUCKER. PHUCK. RIGHT. OFF. YOU UTTER, UTTER TWUNT.

[Dibble]

swerni said:

Dibble said:

boobles said:

Chin up mate, It's probably nothing to worry about at all & he will the all clear as everyone is hoping.

Cheers boobles. Tried to rely earlier but kept getting an error message on the phone.

So today I've done the school run with his kids, driven his wife to hospital and spent the da waiting for him to go to theatre then to come back. Into theatre at 3.25, back to the ward at 9.30. The main thing is there's no obvious paralysis but no update on how successful the removal of tumour was. His wife should fbd that out tomorrow, then another 7-10 days wait to find out whether its benign or malignant.

I've just dropped his wife at home then driven home myself. Been a long day, but longer for them.

So, once more, from the top, with feeling:

PHUCK YOU CANCER, YOU PHUCKING PHUCKER. PHUCK. RIGHT. OFF. YOU UTTER, UTTER TWUNT.

Just stay positive for him and the family

Ps YHM

Cheers Swerni. YHPM too.

[Speedracer329]

Not really sure how I missed this thread but a BIG fk YOU cancer from me.

I lost both maternal grandparents to cancer when I was in my 20's, grandad went very quickly but grandma stayed around for years. I remember as a boy playing with the silicone filled thing that filled one cup of her bra when I was around 10 or so, & in fact she had 7 major operations in her life but she wouldn't give in. In fact she died in instalments really, by the time she went there was less of her alive than had been cut out previously! Or so it seemed.

The fking cancer then skipped a generation & I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma when I was 30, but as I am now 56 then cancer can fk RIGHT OFF. I have been unlucked enough to have other problems which came from a depleted immune system, but I am going no where, so everything can go fk itself.

Then last year my mum was found to have both breast cancer & ovarian cancer, which was worrying, but I told her that really it was helpless against us, we might have defective genes but we have great will power. And so it proved, as she was given her first all clear in February.

So, once again, fk you cancer.

[mcelliott]

I've read this thread and really hoped that I'd never have to contribute but I've had a recent run in with cancer. Nothing compared to some of the people who have contributed on this thread but for the last 6 months I'd noticed a mole/lesion that had started to turn a bit 'funny' on the side of my nose. Really tried to put it to the back of my mind and ignore it and just got on with daily life. Being reasonably fit and healthy felt I had nothing to worry about. However there is a history of skin cancer in my family - my aunt died from malignant melanoma and both my mum and my brother have had benign skin cancers removed.

Anyway fast forward to last week and I finally, well, my wife pestered me to go and get it checked as this mole kept peeling off and re-growing without ever healing. Come the day of the consultation, well actually the days leading up, I was a complete wreck, convincing myself that I only had months to live. This disease can play awful tricks with the mind, especially as a father to two young children. Anyway the doctor that I saw couldn't have been any more reassuring, saying that it was more than likely an early stage skin cancer that would not kill me. How refreshing! So my appointment for removal was this morning - 10 minutes handywork and it was all gone. No real sense of happiness, just one of overwhelming relief and a re-evaluation of what's important in life. Long term prognosis is very good, only a 10% chance of it returning, going back for a check up in 3 months. For people that have got terminal cancer, massive kudos to you.

One final piece of advice, a bit of a cliche, I wasted nearly 6 months of my life worrying about something that could have got sorted out in no time, so if you're worried about anything, get it seen to!!

[Dibble]

Not great news from my mate I'm afraid. The surgeon managed to get most of the tumour out, but not all of it... The surgeon thinks it's a secondary tumour, but even after a CT scan hasn't been able to identify a primary tumour. The radiologist is of the opinion that the tumour is a lymphoma, so even the experts aren't sure what they're dealing with yet. It'll be another 7-10 days until the histobiopsy results are back.

Of course my mate and his wife are both utterly stting themselves. I'm trying to remain upbeat (but realistic) for them but frankly, it's bloody hard work to put a brave face on it to try to keep them positive and I'm utterly drained, emotionally and physically, and I'm a couple of steps removed from it.

I'll be ringing my mate's work tomorrow (he's an engineer in the Royal Navy) and trying to sort all that for him.

PHUCK YOU CANCER. YOU PHUCKING PHUCKER.

[drivin_me_nuts]

Not all primaries are found. Patience at this stage is a commodity hard to find - those who have been there will be the first to say that. But in that you don't have a choice and you have to wait as long as ... well as long as you have to wait and it is indeed very hard.

But what you do have control over is how you feel and how you support your friends. If I can offer you one piece of practical advice stood from a not too dissimilar position to your own of watching; stop fighting. I think you know what I mean and instead of fighting the fear of death, the fear of what if, the fear of the unknown and all that it might bring, take their need for support one moment at a time.

You cannot be their life support system, but what you can do is listen, be relaxed and be calm to all that you hear and carry your fear with grace and compassion. Now that might sound odd, but i'll tell you this, those who supported me the most and who saved me from madness in my personal hell were those who listened, smiled, shed a tear sometimes and never offered more than they could comfortably give. They were the practical empathisers who, though they were not going through it, knew enough to know that at times all that is needed is to know that someone who cares about you is listening and supporting unconditionally. You are not superman, please don't try to be by carrying your friends. Just be yourself and that is all those around you could ever ask or want. That will get YOU through it and in dosing so, you will help your friends in more ways than at the moment you can truly grasp the significance of.

[Dibble]

Thanks drivin_me_nuts. Wise words indeed.

I'm trying to remain positive yet realistic. I've told them both it's no good worrying "what if" until they know whether or not the tumour is benign or malignant. Once they know that, the surgeon will be able to go through treatment options with them and they'll know what they have to deal with and how.

I'm trying to help them with the practical stuff at the moment - school runs for their kids, getting their dinner, taxiing them about. I've also told them what I can't do (I'm working on a late shift tomorrow so I won't be available). They know they can call me day or night, even if its only to "vent".

It is fking terrifying though.

[drivin_me_nuts]

Dibble said:

Thanks drivin_me_nuts. Wise words indeed.



It is fking terrifying though.

yes, absolutely and it is this that you need to resolve in yourself to help your friends. Cancer is terrifying in so many ways.. yet, when you do overcome it, you will find it very liberating and empowering. You walk in an army of millions, you and they are not alone. Those that have walked a few steps ahead of you can and will support in any way they can - use this place to process and vent. We are our own little fk cancer army. Tonight, you are on point - but you have many around you watching and supporting as you need. Sleep well.

[AceOfHearts]

I am only 24 and I keep reading threads like this. I swear its turning me into a hypochondriac

PS: Fingers crossed for some good news Dibble

[anonymous-user]

Just read that Angelina Jolie has undergone a double mastectomy to reduce her chances of getting breast cancer. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22520720

My mum had a mastectomy 8 years ago (now in full remission thankfully) and I know that, even in her 70s, she felt 'damaged' for quite a while.

It's good to see stories like this, not only to raise awareness of the risks that some people face, but also to try to make people realise that it's not the end of the world.

Edited to add: fk You Cancer!

[Dibble]

AceOfHearts said:

I am only 24 and I keep reading threads like this. I swear its turning me into a hypochondriac

PS: Fingers crossed for some good news Dibble

Cheers for the good wishes. My mate and his wife have no news, but are scaring themselves stless by Googling like a pair of crack addicts and listening to people whose neighbour had a cousin who went to school with someone who probably had the same thing and died three weeks before it was diagnosed... Not helpful, IMHO. I think people should keep their gobs shut and not "try to help". They'll know for definite one way or the other soon enough.

In the meantime my mate is looking pretty well after his surgery, he's fairly mobile and most of our conversations revolve around him stting (or not) after the morphine! He's up and down in his moods which is understandable and we've had a few chats about what may be ahead - all instigated by him. I've been doing a few more school runs for them so his wife can keep working and do as much visiting as she needs to. I've had a few late night terry phone calls from them both, which I don't mind at all. I'm just glad they feel able to call me if they need to.

So, once again, until the next update:

PHUCK YOU, CANCER, YOU PHUCKING BELL END.