So cancer huh

Will

Movember kicked off today, raising awareness of mens health and in particular for the members of team moards raising awareness of men's prostate cancer.

Got me thinking, cancer. What do you know about it? Has it affected you or a loved one before?

My mother was diagnosed with skin cancer a few years back. She got through it thankfully and is ok now, but was a very tough time for all in the family, not least my mother.

Before that I thought cancer was just something those who smoked got (I was around 12 or 13) in their lungs, was not aware of the different places it could appear. To me it was not a tangible thing as it can sometimes be inside the body and not on the skin. As a kid it was a hard thing to grasp that something I couldn't see (no evidence of being sick) could actually exist and do harm or even kill.

Just sorta throwing the topic out there for folks to discuss

you can also post anonymously on here if you feel talking about such a topic is a bit too hard under your regular nick

Khannie

Will wrote: »

Has it affected you or a loved one before?

My oul' boy died from it a few years ago. Nasty business. Weirdly, seeing as I'm fit and healthy and eat well and all, I keep thinking "jesus, I'm not gonna go from heart disease or whatever.... cancer seems more likely". I dunno...the logic is a bit twisted but I hate the idea of getting it having seen first hand how it affects people.

Condo131

Will wrote: »

Movember kicked off today, raising awareness of mens health and in particular for the members of team moards raising awareness of men's prostate cancer.

Got me thinking, cancer. What do you know about it? Has it affected you or a loved one before?

I used to be fairly arrogant about my health (Pride before a fall! ). I haven't drank for over 20 years, only smoked for a few months when I was 18 (now 56), never did drugs, been running competitively for nearly 25 years and have always had an annual medical.

So.....3 years ago, like a bolt from the blue, my first PSA check (done at an annual medical check) came back a little on the high side. I'd never had any symptoms of a Prostate problem. That was the start of a roller-coaster leading to Prostate Cancer diagnosis and a Radical Prostatectomy in May 2008. Turned out I had a very aggressive Cancer and it was found just in the nick of time.

17 months on now and I'm doing fine - I ran in our County Senior Cross Country Championship yesterday (so can't be too bad, can I?).

There is a lot of controversy in medical circles about PSA testing. Many don't recommend it becasue they feel it creates unnecessary stress in those who don't have cancer, are elderly, have co-morbidities or have a form of cancer that will never kill them. Others, particularly in the UK, feel that PSA testing shouldn't begin until symptoms are evident.

I can see the value of both of the above arguements but there are many. many men in similar sitautions to me - relatively young and asymptomatic - and without PSA testing we'd be in SERIOUS do-do! I reckon get it done and, God forbid, if you're unfortunate enough to be diagnosed, you will, because PC is normally slow-growing, have plenty of time to decide what to do.

My mother died at age 58 from colon cancer, so family history being a risk factor, I had a colonoscopy done last January (last thing I needed was to have my PC removed and then find I later developed colon cancer). Thankfully that was clear - I'll need to do it again in 5 years.

So.....my message:

If you're a man aged 50+ have a PSA test done, even if you've no symptoms. If you've a first degree relative who's had PC, get it done from age 40.

Take it from me, Cancer diagnosis doesn't have to be a death sentence, but not checking for it might be!

LegacyUser

I'm a regular poster, but would rather go annoym.

I am currently in remission. I spent most of this year getting really strong chemo - which, thankfully has been successful, for the time being. It was testicular cancer which, although caught exceptionally early, spread.

I'm 30.

Lads, if you feel even the slightest lump - go to the fucking doctor. It's not macho to hold off. And it's madness to hold off if you're scared. The sooner you catch it, the easier & more successful it is to treat. Take my case - although I have/had more aggressive cancer, the doctors could give me a 95-98% chance. If I had left it later? well I gamble, but I'd much rather bet on 95% than wait for shorter odds with less gain.

Dunno what else to say. Mind yourselves.

BrianD3

Of my parents, grandparents and aunts and uncles, one (heavy smoker) died of lung cancer in her 50s and one of stomach cancer in his 70s. One had stage 3 bowel cancer aged 70 and 10 years later is alive and seemingly well. One had breast cancer aged 45 and 25 years later and is seemingly well with no recurrence in that time.

So, out of around 16 people, so far (:() there have been 2 deaths from cancer. There have been 6 deaths from other causes. Obviously the older you get the more likely it is so for my relatives that are well at the moment, cancer is probably going to kill some more of them.

Another thing about cancer is has anyone checked the mortality statistics recently. Around 7500-8000 people die per year from cancer. This has remained fairly stable for the last decade. However in the same time period there has been a big decrease in the numbers dying from circulatory disease. It has come down from 13,200 to 9600.

As circulatory disease deaths drop, life expectancy goes up and more of us will probably develop cancer. I think all you can do to try and prevent cancer is lead a reasonably healthy lifestyle, don't smoke, maintain a healthy weight, exercise, eat healthily, basically the same things you'd do to try and prevent heart disease. Screening is controversial but it seems as though colonoscopy is something that is very worthwhile as pre-cancerous polyps that many people have can be easily seen and snipped off during the procedure. Apparently if more people has this done, many lives could be saved.

The Recliner

Just over 2 years ago my Mum discovered she had Breast and Womb cancer, the diagnosis came within a week of each other and obviously it was a tough time for the family

Thankfully they were both caught early and she seemed to be fine

About 2 weeks ago she discovered that she now has a different type of Breast cancer and also Skin cancer

Again luckily (although mainly down to her own vigilance) both seem to have been caught early and whilst she is still waiting on results fingers crossed she should be fine

I have nothing but praise and thanks for the staff who have looked after her and treated her, the care she has received has been excellent

Dad is on some medication for an enlarged prostate but it doesn't seem to be a concern at the moment, hopefully it stays that way

Otis Driftwood

Both my Mothers parents died of cancer - ovarian and lung respectivly,and her sister died of secondary brain cancer brought on by lung cancer so obviously its in the family and the likelihood is that myself or one of my siblings will get it in some form.

Nothing we can do except try and avoid putting ourselves under increased exposure risks.Which none of us do,we all smoke.

Id like to think I will quit before long term damage is done but its easier said than done.

amacachi

Only cancer I know of in my family is two aunts on my mother's side who both died of lung cancer in the last few years. Most were heavy, heavy smokers though.

Cancer isn't something that worries me much, I'm ticking all the optional risk factor boxes at the moment and **** it, something's gonna get me some day.

Dord

Nobody in my immediate family thankfully but some extended family and my Dad's mother passed away from cancer when he was young.

I don't know of any men in the family who've been affected by it (directly i mean). I'm pretty aware of the need to check and check what I can often.

I was discussing Movember last night with a couple of female friends of mine and they agreed that Cancer awareness is very heavily focused on women. It's a good thing it's being promoted and I don't fault the work that's gone into it. But cancer that affects men needs similar attention too. They were happy that I was taking part in Movember and are gonna support me.

Krieg

My father had prostate cancer 5 years ago, it was found quickly and treated sucessfully. All good, I still remember him telling my mother afterward that he'd take her on holiday "When Im able to piss straight again".
I also remember how I found out he had cancer. I came home from school one day -
Mum: "Oh me and your father are going up to dublin at the weekend to get his cancer treated".
Me: "Oh right.......... WHAT!? CANCER!?"
She thought she had told me previously, I still take the piss out of her for it.

A good friend got a brain tumour and was told he had 3 months left to live (chemo would extend that to 6months). Luckily an ex-gf's father was a brain surgeon who was working on an experimental surgery. He went and got the surgery and it was a success. That was over 4 years ago and he is doing well, the man is a walking miracle. Though in a way im not surprised how well he has done, Very strong character and enough willpower to make the chinese government to change to a democracy.

Ive also had 3 grandparents with cancer, now deceased.

Despite cancer being in the family I dont think about it too much. But as a smoker, I am a little concerned about lung cancer and its not the dying part that bothers me, its the three months of pain and agony before you die that concerns me. Ive seen people and documentrys about lung cancer, its enough to make me seriously think suicide if I were to get it.

Condo131 wrote:

If you're a man aged 50+ have a PSA test done, even if you've no symptoms. If you've a first degree relative who's had PC, get it done from age 40.

Message recieved an understood, though Im quite a few years off it i certainly wont avoid it. Thanks for the tip

CathyMoran

Hope that it is OK to post here. Am a female 2 year almost 9 month oesophageal cancer surviver, it was diagnosed when I was 32. I found being believed was nearly the hardest thing at the begining, I knew someone older who had died from it so I knew about it. It is seen traditionally as a cancer that older men who are obese, smokers and drinkers get (I am none of those) but that is changing. I was diagnosed in October and got sick of all the pink stuff - I wanted a break from cancer world when I was out living...

The chemo was hard, the surgery was far harder but I was very lucky to have my wedding to look forward to 2 weeks after the chemo ended (I hoped) and my wonderful husbands support at all times. I found dealing with potential infertility from the chemo very hard but they did everything that they could to save it and I am thankfully in my second trimester. I dont know if I will ever have my full strength back but I feel very lucky to be alive to spend time with my husband.

I have also had several relatives die from skin cancer, one at only 40. One of my best friends also died at 40 from bowel cancer and I miss him every day, though I am lucky to still be in contact with his lovely wife and children. Another family friend died from lung cancer and I know of someone (he used to be my doc) who died from lung cancer aged 35, he was not a smoker. Another close friends dad also non-smoker died from lung cancer at the begining of the summer.

It can affect the young, you should always be self aware. I fully support Movember.

I should also state that I know cancer survivers - another one of my best friends! Not many survive mine though.

I think that a postive attitute can help, but that is just me...I cant take life for granted though.

My husband is at high risk of bowel cancer and he gets checked (though I have to push him into it)...I also check my husbands bits regularly (OK, a lot more is for fun than I would care to admit) and he checks mine!

OldGoat

Cathy, course it's OK to post here. Your insights are very welcome.:)

To name a few of many friends, family and aquaintances:
Dad, bowel cancer.
Mom in law, breast cancer
Dad in law, skin cancer
Work collegue, currently in hospital receiving chemo and radiation.
2 teenage friends, leukemia - one surviver

With the numbers of posters here and the listed numbers affected it really does open ones eyes to how commonplace cancers really is.

CathyMoran

OldGoat wrote: »

Cathy, course it's OK to post here. Your insights are very welcome.:)

To name a few of many friends, family and aquaintances:
Dad, bowel cancer.
Mom in law, breast cancer
Dad in law, skin cancer
Work collegue, currently in hospital receiving chemo and radiation.
2 teenage friends, leukemia - one surviver

With the numbers of posters here and the listed numbers affected it really does open ones eyes to how commonplace cancers really is.

Thanks. I had a very old relative that died from it too (my dads mum whom I adored), she was 100 and 2 weeks. She never got over my cousins death and I am glad that she did not know about my cancer at the time (was starting to get ill when she died) ,sorry, I still really miss her and it gets me upset still to write about her, I think that she looked after me from above.

ChewChew

I both love and hate this subject! But anyways. . . Well done to everyone to posting their stories! heart wrenching tear jerkers! So my turn to add to it :P

hmm. I'm 26 now but when I was 20 my Dad got ill. Well, he was suffering from back pain. He shrugged it off to him working so darned hard (and so did we) and he kept saying 'Ah I'm 49 years old, it's just wear and tear'' anyways. . . eventually the stubborn mule went to the GP after falling addicted to solpadeine!

After MRI's, CAT scans and many many more tests. . . it was discovered he had a few spinal tumors. Then. . . they discovered they were cancerous tumours. . . which had also spread to his Lungs. . . and his kidneys. Uh oh. We hit a bit of trouble there. . . . . Dad's cancer was far too advanced for chemo treatment so he was put on morphine and made very comfortable and his pain was taken away. .. And then they discovered a brain tumor

So Dad turned 50. . . . enjoyed his last few months with us, and unfortunately passed away when I was 21

He left it too late to see a doctor. . . .

Please don't do the same. . . . they can help and are working wonders as some posters have already proven. . . please take care of yourselves!

chrisr

Hi all, what would be the first signs of prostate Cancer. Am having a few niggly pains but i dont want to worry myself.
Any advice would be great.

cheers

Otis Driftwood

chrisr wrote: »

Hi all, what would be the first signs of prostate Cancer. Am having a few niggly pains but i dont want to worry myself.
Any advice would be great.

cheers

Go to your doctor ASAP,seriously.We cannot give any medical advice here.

Im leaving this thread open for anyone that wants to share their experiences with cancer however any medical advice will result in the post being deleted and the poster will be infracted.

Zulu

Here's your medical advice chrisr (apologies nedtheshed):

Cancer-man wrote: »

I'm a regular poster, but would rather go annoym.

I am currently in remission. I spent most of this year getting really strong chemo - which, thankfully has been successful, for the time being. It was testicular cancer which, although caught exceptionally early, spread.

I'm 30.

Lads, if you feel even the slightest lump - go to the fucking doctor. It's not macho to hold off. And it's madness to hold off if you're scared. The sooner you catch it, the easier & more successful it is to treat. Take my case - although I have/had more aggressive cancer, the doctors could give me a 95-98% chance. If I had left it later? well I gamble, but I'd much rather bet on 95% than wait for shorter odds with less gain.

Dunno what else to say. Mind yourselves.

Condo131

Hi chrisr,
Couple of points:

chrisr wrote: »

.............. i dont want to worry myself.

You obviously are worried. See your G.P.!! If you do have a problem, it's not going to go away. Also, prostate cancer, along with many other cancers are very treatable IF diagnosed early.

chrisr wrote: »

what would be the first signs of prostate Cancer. Am having a few niggly pains

You'll find a short list of symptoms here on the Irish Cancer Society website.

<MOD SNIP> you DO need to check out whatever it is that is causing the pain.

btw....a very high proportion of men (in particular) ignore symptoms and leave things until too late. Check it out!!

Condo(r)

Prostate Cancer survivor

Grid.

I had similar aches last year and went to my GP straight away, theres no embarrassment involved and it will give you peace of mind.

CathyMoran

Got the first symptoms of oesophageal cancer (food sticking, inability to swallow) in March 2006 but stupidly did nothing about it until August 2006, yes I am still here but I had to undergo 3 months of chemo (1 week on, 3 weeks off). I lost all my hair, got sick a lot, felt like there were bubbles in my blood, slept a lot, had chronic fatigue and was lucky not to loose my fertility. Then a total oesophagectomy that involved getting two of my ribs broken (have a huge scar on my back), a huge scar down my front and a scar on my neck - I would not wish that on anyone. If I had seen about it sooner my treatment would have been a lot milder.

There is no harm in getting a check up, there is in waiting if you suspect anything.

sam34

Condo131, i've just seen te edited comment you made to your post above

what i snipped from your post was a comment about the likelihood of the poster having cancer. you cannot make a reliable judgement on that based on the information posted here, and attempting to do so is doing a disservice to the poster, hence the snipping.

stupidusername

I know as everyone points out the best thing is to go to a doctor to get something checked out, but I'm very wary of doctors now, as so often (it seems) they don't get it right.

My mam went to her doctor when she started having kidney problems, passing blood etc. The doctor told her it was a kidney infection. For months she was put on anti biotics, when the doctor insisted it was nothing more than a kidney infection. In fact this was two different doctors in the same surgery.

Eventually after months of pain, when she started passing so much blood,
she first rang caredoc (as this was over the Christmas period) and was told not to bother a doctor with that, that it would take months to bleed to death from 'there'. Then she insisted on going to the A&E. When they saw how much blood she was passing they admitted her and did tests.

Turned out she had bladder cancer. Next came chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and months of not being well, and endless medication. By a year later (New Years) she got the all clear. Then told two months later it wasn't actually gone, that they missed it, and now it was between her bladder and bowel, and that they couldn't operate on it, as it would just spread rapidly.

It was at this point (31st May 2008) she told me there was a chance she wouldn't survive it. She was given more drugs, chemo etc.... It's all quite a blur, so TBH I don't know the ups and downs of the next few months.

I remember being home over that Christmas and having to be her carer. Sleeping with the phone beside my head for when she'd call me to get her more meds or to help her to the bathroom. She of course had a home nurse, but because she didn't want strangers in the house, she was only there for topping up the morphine, and some other things.

I can think back on that time and remember how horrible it was for me. I was in fourth year in college, half way through the year, meant to be doing my FYP and falling far behind, being exhausted from doing everything at home, not getting a chance to eat until 5 in the afternoon. But in a different way it must've been horrible for mam. She was terrified of needles, but had to have an injection once every two days, for which I had to hold her hand. She had to have a colostomy bag which is a whole world of degradation and misery, and eventually another bag for wee.Besides the pain, and surgeries and relying on everyone else.

I was told (much later than everyone else) in March 2009 by my dad while watching tv that the doctors had decided she wouldn't be getting better.

I visited her in hospital over those few days. I sat beside her watching coronation st, while she went through some things, like she was leaving me her engagement ring, and talking to me about how she'd like the chance to sit on a beach in the wind and rain just once before she died. I didn't know what to do. What do you say to a person who knows they're dying.

She couldn't eat because of the cancer having spread to her stomach, so it just made her vomit. The white of her eyes had turned yellow, presumably from her liver failing, her wee had turned black, presumably from her kidneys failing. She was under 8 stone at this point. I couldn't hug her too hard in case of breaking something.

I went back to college, as I had been told to. Two weeks later on a Tuesday morning I got a message from my dad at 6.30am, telling me it was time to come home.

I had to go on a bus for nearly two hours, crying away to myself. All I remember is Lady Gagas Pokerface being on the radio, so now everytime I hear that I think of that whole day.

I got home at around 11am, to about 30 cars in our drive. Dad had let everyone in the family know. I went in to mams room. and sat beside her. I held her hand, and brushed her hair (she liked that). She was unconscious pretty much, because of the amount of morphine she'd had. She knew we were there, but couldn't speak or move.

We waited for my brother to arrive from Dublin, everyone hoping he'd get there in time. He did.

Strangely enough that evening it was a really wild and windy day, and I remember thinking at least she got that part. She never had managed to get to the beach.

I was sitting holding her hand around 7.30, just with my granny and her sister in the room. She lifted up her head, opened her eyes real wide, and looked around the room, then lid back down closed her eyes and stopped breathing.

I don't how everyone knew but all of a sudden everyone was in the room, saying prayers at her. I just sat there, still holding her hand, feeling it go cold, and looking at the colour drain from her skin. I think I must've been a bit hysterical because everyone seemed to be concerned about me calming down. I was shaking uncontrollably. I didn't want to let go of her hand but in a way I really didn't want to leave.

I couldn't bring myself to look at her in the coffin, or even be in the same room during the wake. I couldn't even manage to touch the coffin before the cremation.

I'm not sorry about that, but I think I would've been sorry if I hadn't been holding her hand at the time.

Bladder cancer usually only effects men over 60, but any smoker is at risk from this. My mam smoked 20 cigarettes a day for 30 years. She died at 47.

I don't suppose I shouldn't have went into so much detail, but I just felt like talking about it, and I suppose there's a chance if people had any more of a clue what a horrible existence bladder/bowel cancer can give you, they might be more inclined to push their own doctors to get an answer they're satisfied with.

Incidentally the home nurse told us that if she had been diagnosed those few months earlier there would've been a much higher chance she would've survived. So I suppose I'm saying get a second third and fourth opinion.

Condo131

sam34 wrote: »

Condo131, i've just seen te edited comment you made to your post above

what i snipped from your post was a comment about the likelihood of the poster having cancer. you cannot make a reliable judgement on that based on the information posted here, and attempting to do so is doing a disservice to the poster, hence the snipping.

With the very greatest of respect, I did NOT make a judgement on the OP's situation. Clearly, from my post, I was - and strongly do - urge the OP to seek medical advice.

As a Prostate Cancer survivor, who maintains a high profile as one, and who also mentors others facing the spectre, I do NOT -ever - advise others on courses of action to be taken.

There is a huge difference between reassurance and judgement.

sam34 wrote: »

....what i snipped from your post was a comment about the likelihood of the poster having cancer. you cannot make a reliable judgement on that based on the information posted here, and attempting to do so is doing a disservice to the poster, hence the snipping.

Taking (and snipping) half a sentence and extrapolating to mean something entirely unintended, certainly does not, imho, help the OP.

Please re-read my post, and my other Cancer related posts on this website, and you will get a clearer picture of my advice and approach.

sam34

Condo131 wrote: »

With the very greatest of respect, I did NOT make a judgement on the OP's situation. Clearly, from my post, I was - and strongly do - urge the OP to seek medical advice.

As a Prostate Cancer survivor, who maintains a high profile as one, and who also mentors others facing the spectre, I do NOT -ever - advise others on courses of action to be taken.

There is a huge difference between reassurance and judgement.



Taking (and snipping) half a sentence and extrapolating to mean something entirely unintended, certainly does not, imho, help the OP.

Please re-read my post, and my other Cancer related posts on this website, and you will get a clearer picture of my advice and approach.

we are currently discussing this via PM, so i dont see the need to repeat it here.

however, i stand by my decision to snip what was essentially a judgement of teh op's situation, even if it was followed with advice to seek medical opinion.

Silverfish

We've a good bit of experience with it in my family.

First, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a mastectomy and hysterectomy, and all was okay.

Then(10 years ago) my younger sister started getting pains in her neck. After a few visits to the doctor, she was diagnosed with advanced leukemia, she fought hard, and with chemo, was given the all clear, unfortunately, it returned, she received a bone marrow transplant, but while it was successful, she died from complications surrounding it. From diagnosis to death was 19 months. She was 15.

My mother then started getting pains in her back a few years later, she went to the doctor who told her it was a pulled muscle and gave her painkillers for a year - she was eventually rushed to hospital one night, they did an MRI scan, and she had tumours on her spine. She had radiotherapy, however, while it reduced the tumours, they eventually kept coming back more and more frequently.
Eventually, her doctors started chemotherapy, however she developed pneumonia and passed away last November.

So from all this, all I've learned is, the earlier it is caught, the better. I have heard so so many success stories - children who were in the hospital with my sister, and who were given a short time to live - are now hale and hearty, and in their mid twenties, like nothing had ever happened

So don't put it off, or debate it, or wait for things to maybe possibly get worse, go to your GP and get stuff checked.

Mad_Max

I was diagnosed with oral (or mouth, I'm not sure which I prefer to say) cancer last year. I got the all-clear on June 2nd though thankfully.

Cathy mentioned it above but a positive attitude really helps in my opinion, as corny as it sounds. Obviously it's very hard to deal with at first but once I got my head around it I never looked back. I've found that me being positive about it also helped those around me.

I tell anyone that'll listen to me now that if they ever have any doubts to get it checked out. I stupidly left a big growth on the roof of my mouth for at least 8 months before I went to get it looked at. Only for a friend made me go to a doc I'd have left it and as the doc said, that could have been a very costly mistake.

Without doubt, the dumbest decision I've ever made in my life. I'd hate to see someone else make the same mistake.

tbh

Condo131 wrote: »

With the very greatest of respect, I did NOT make a judgement on the OP's situation. Clearly, from my post, I was - and strongly do - urge the OP to seek medical advice.

As a Prostate Cancer survivor, who maintains a high profile as one, and who also mentors others facing the spectre, I do NOT -ever - advise others on courses of action to be taken.

There is a huge difference between reassurance and judgement.



Taking (and snipping) half a sentence and extrapolating to mean something entirely unintended, certainly does not, imho, help the OP.

Please re-read my post, and my other Cancer related posts on this website, and you will get a clearer picture of my advice and approach.

Hi Condo - I'm a mod in this forum, but the cmod as well. I just wanted to reassure you that snipping the post was no reflection of the quality of your contribution, which I'm sure we are all grateful for, but it is something that we have to do.

As mods on the forum, we have a duty of care to the users, and it's kind of in our job description to be a bit over-protective sometimes. What was clearly meant to be a reassuring remark from you could - in very rare circumstances - be taken another poster as no reason to worry. We may have several lurkers on the forum who read the thread wishing to be told they have nothing to worry about, if they see your remark, they may wish to tell themselves that they don't need to go to a doctor. These circumstances may seen unlikely, but when you extrapolate the amount of users who browse/read the threads, it becomes less unlikely that it'll apply to at least one person.

Therefore, even tho all the mods fully accept and understand what you meant, sometimes we have to be overly cautious and not risk something like that happening, even if the chances are 1000 to 1.

WIZE

My Dad died for Liver cancer last October

He never drank or smoked in his life so the doctors were very surprised .
He was also a dietbetic and a few years before had a Double bypass OP

He never got to retire properly as when he did retire at the age of 65 only a few months later he was dignosed.

he was bed ridden for the last year as the cancer spread to his spine which caused him to not be able to stand up for more then a few seconds

It was a shock when he was brought into St Vincents last october in sound mind as he needed to get check ups and tests
done . That was on a Monday . On the Wednesday we got a call at 4am to say we should come to the hospital . He had suffered a massive stoke .
he was still consious but in massive pain . He new we were all there but was unable to communicate except with his eyes but he was in massive pain also . Doctors thought he would be dead that night.

In the evening time he went into a coma and was pumped full of morphine .

This might sound weird but I have to say thank you to the doctor who did the double bypass as my dads heart keeped beating for another 2 days after the Coma even with the amount of Morphine that would kill any of us .

Also thanks to St Vincents staff your really supported us through the situation supplying beds for us to stay over night

RIP Dad

WIZE

Silverfish wrote: »

My mother then started getting pains in her back a few years later, she went to the doctor who told her it was a pulled muscle and gave her painkillers for a year - she was eventually rushed to hospital one night, they did an MRI scan, and she had tumours on her spine..

My dad was told the same thing when he started having pains in his back .

He was brought to Blanchardstown hospital . We asked them for an MRI scan but they said no . the pain was due to lying in bed .

It was months later before St Vincents said the cancer spread from his liver to his spine

Zulu

WIZE wrote: »

My Dad died for Liver cancer last October...RIP Dad

Sorry to hear that story buddy. RIP Daddy-Wize!

stupidusername

stupidusername wrote: »

I don't suppose I shouldn't have went into so much detail, but I just felt like talking about it, and I suppose there's a chance if people had any more of a clue what a horrible existence bladder/bowel cancer can give you, they might be more inclined to push their own doctors to get an answer they're satisfied with.

.

a beautiful post and one which i thank you for

storm2811

In my experience with cancer(never had it myself but those very close to me had) I'd advise anyone who has any suspicions to go to the doctor,even if there's nothing wrong it will give you peace of mind.
Forget that you're afraid of doctors or if you're embarrassed,your health is the most important thing!

Condo131

The bottom line with Cancer is that early diagnosis is vital. Even at that, the prognosis for some forms of cancer is still poor, however big proportion of Cancers are now either fully treatable (imho, only film stars and celebrities ever claim to be "cured" of cancer, but that's just personal opinion) or have varying side effects ranging from (relatively) 'minor' and upwards.

Ignoring Cancer symptoms can be devastating. A very public example is John Hartson, the former Wales international soccer player - this interview is well worth a read. Google him for more info.

The key is early detection.

If you have a problem, for God's sake, see about it. Ignoring it won't make it go away. Being embarrassed about going to your GP is not a great excuse - he/she has seen it all before and, No, you are not wasting his/her time - you are genuinely worried. Anyway, he/she is being very well paid for the bother.

While you're at it, why not decide to go to your GP for an annual 'MOT'? A colleague goes on his birthday - makes it easy to remember. For 27 years, I had an annual check-up where I worked. When I left there I continued with an annual MOT, going to my GP - and it saved my life.

Another point worth mentioning, is that, like any other occupation, you have good GPs and 'not so good' GPs. If your GP isn't up to scratch, or is fobbing you off as being too young/old/whatever change. The average age of diagnosis for Prostate Cancer in Ireland is 69 - it's often termed "an old man's disease". However there are a hell of a lot of us who are diagnosed with Advanced Prostate Cancer in our fifties and forties (I was 55, a colleague was 49). The same colleague was told by his GP that he was "too young to have it". He insisted on being tested and the GP was genuinely shocked with the results. Both my colleague & I - and many, many others are doing fine now. As I said before, Early Diagnosis is VITAL!

cards

I saw this documentary(free) http://www.phoenixtearsmovie.com/ that opened my eyes to the possibilities of more natural healing possibilities. I don't know anyone that has followed this method but there seems to be a lot of truth and possibility expressed in this documentary. I know two people that have followed the orthodox route and their journey has been so appalling that it makes me angry that the "professionals" that are supposed to know something about healing put these individuals and their families through these ordeals and arguably left them maybe more damaged in spirit and still unwell after these ordeals.I would far prefer to go with dignity in the first stages although maybe they had to explore what they did.I'm just angry at the butchery that some people are put through while options that are expressed in the above movie go largely unexplored,not to mention a whole host of other natural cures like Gerson Therapy.

CathyMoran

For me the conventional methods were the best - OK, I was part of a trial but that combination of chemo drugs is widely used now. They did use a lower dose of one of the drugs as I really wanted to be a mother one day (that was the thing that was upsetting me the most at the time that I might loose my fertility, it sounds funny but I so wanted to beat it but have my life afterwards).

The way I rationalized it with chemo is that if it is making me feel bad then what about the bad cells. It is very tough, it was tougher on my then fiancee (now husband) as I slept through the worst bits (the severe sickness), but again, it was really hitting the bad cells.

Just because someone is a survivor does not mean that their life stops, I got married during treatment and have a 20 week 1 day old son - yes, I am more tired, you are always scared and with my condition eating large volumes is not going to happen but I am here and I have a life.

Condo131

cards wrote: »

I saw this documentary(free) http://www.phoenixtearsmovie.com/ that opened my eyes to the possibilities of more natural healing possibilities. I don't know anyone that has followed this method but there seems to be a lot of truth and possibility expressed in this documentary.

I haven't watched the documentary you quote and don't intend to either. This is one of a range of so-called 'natural therapies' that surface regularly, suggesting that some or other natural product (often purveyed by the proponents of the 'cure') is the 'magic bullet' to kill cancer. In the movie quoted, Rick Simpson suggests that cannabis oil cured his Cancer. Mainstream evidence does not support this. A recent UK study did find that chemicals found in cannabis halts Prostate Cancer cell growth, but, in a separate article, the researchers stated "...it absolutely isn't the case that men might be able to fight prostate cancer by smoking cannabis".

cards wrote: »

I know two people that have followed the orthodox route and their journey has been so appalling that it makes me angry that the "professionals" that are supposed to know something about healing put these individuals and their families through these ordeals and arguably left them maybe more damaged in spirit and still unwell after these ordeals.

OK, as I said in a separate post, as in any occupation, there are good professionals and there are not-so-good ones. You know two people who have had bad outcomes. I know a few too, but I also know far, far more who are doing pretty damn good, and many are, in effect, as healthy as they were before Cancer.

cards wrote: »

I would far prefer to go with dignity in the first stages although maybe they had to explore what they did.I'm just angry at the butchery that some people are put through while options that are expressed in the above movie go largely unexplored,not to mention a whole host of other natural cures like Gerson Therapy.

Unfortunately, in most cases, Cancer strips much of the dignity. Many Cancer deaths are very, very painful. I've seen family and friends die from differing forms of Cancer, there was little dignity in most. Borne with dignity - most certainly yes, but these were not "smiling peacefully and drifting off". Natural cures, like Gerson Therapy, crop up periodically as a 'soft option' - no invasive treatment, no nasty chemo. Beware! Malignant Cancer needs to be treated in a timely fashion. Time wasted on these 'magic bullet' options is just that - valuable time lost!

Cancer treatment can take a long time to work. Would you put your eggs in an unproven natural 'cure'. I certainly wouldn't. I chose what I would term the most severe option available to me because I believed that it would give me the best long-term prognosis. Did I do right? Time will tell, but now "I'm absolutely flying!"

Condo131

CathyMoran wrote: »

It is very tough, it was tougher on my then fiancee (now husband) .....

It is often said that it is very, very hard on spouses and families, largely because they feel so helpless. [But, by God, do dthey support!!]

CathyMoran wrote: »

Just because someone is a survivor does not mean that their life stops, I got married during treatment and have a 20 week 1 day old son - yes, I am more tired, you are always scared and with my condition eating large volumes is not going to happen but I am here and I have a life.

Well said!!

CDfm

Nice to see you raising this again Condo.:)

I have posted before on this in a bit of a tiongue in cheek way when I was getting my cholestoral checked.

Now getting a PSA test is no big thing and blood tests are free at hospitals and relatively inexpensive at your GP.

Sio this is the easiest way to do it -if you are at your GP for anything or a check up ask them to check your cholestoral and prostate.

A blood test at the GP's costs around 40 yoyo's and if you have it done at the hospital its free and a few weeks later phone up the GP for the results.

lonestargirl

cards wrote: »

I saw this documentary(free) http://www.phoenixtearsmovie.com/ that opened my eyes to the possibilities of more natural healing possibilities. I don't know anyone that has followed this method but there seems to be a lot of truth and possibility expressed in this documentary. I know two people that have followed the orthodox route and their journey has been so appalling that it makes me angry that the "professionals" that are supposed to know something about healing put these individuals and their families through these ordeals and arguably left them maybe more damaged in spirit and still unwell after these ordeals.I would far prefer to go with dignity in the first stages although maybe they had to explore what they did.I'm just angry at the butchery that some people are put through while options that are expressed in the above movie go largely unexplored,not to mention a whole host of other natural cures like Gerson Therapy.

Some evidence based medicine: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20361473

lonestargirl

I just want to reiterate what everyone else has said, early diagnosis makes all the difference. For example the 5-yr survival for breast cancer by stage is:
Stage 1: 98%
Stage 2A: 88%
Stage 2B: 76%
Stage 3A: 56%
Stage 3B: 49%
Stage 4: 16%
Early diagnosis may result in less invasive treament also, for example early stage breast cancer can often be treated with surgery alone.

Dord

Dord wrote: »

Nobody in my immediate family thankfully but some extended family and my Dad's mother passed away from cancer when he was young.

I don't know of any men in the family who've been affected by it (directly i mean). I'm pretty aware of the need to check and check what I can often.

I was discussing Movember last night with a couple of female friends of mine and they agreed that Cancer awareness is very heavily focused on women. It's a good thing it's being promoted and I don't fault the work that's gone into it. But cancer that affects men needs similar attention too. They were happy that I was taking part in Movember and are gonna support me.

I spoke too soon when I posted this last year. Shortly after the end of Movember a close family member was diagnosed with cancer. They managed to beat it and come out the other side.

Needless to say I'll be doing Movember again this year and shall try step it up a notch with my fellow Moards members.

dawnfreedom

Dear "stupidusername" - Like your Mum I too was diagnosed with bladder cancer - although I have never smoked even one cigarette in my life - and nor do I drink. This must have been a terrible shock to you at the time. Right now I am still trying to come to terms with my own diagnosis (just last year.) Although in my 50's now, I have had always had excellent health, very fit, eat healthily - and have a good BMI, according to the hospital. It may not have been the cigarettes with your mother - these things just strike people. I wish you and your family every blessing for the future.

stupidusername

dawnfreedom wrote: »

Dear "stupidusername" - Like your Mum I too was diagnosed with bladder cancer - although I have never smoked even one cigarette in my life - and nor do I drink. This must have been a terrible shock to you at the time. Right now I am still trying to come to terms with my own diagnosis (just last year.) Although in my 50's now, I have had always had excellent health, very fit, eat healthily - and have a good BMI, according to the hospital. It may not have been the cigarettes with your mother - these things just strike people. I wish you and your family every blessing for the future.

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It's almost worse by the fact that you've taken care of yourself quite well. Though at least it may count towards your ability to fight it now.

It's funny the timing of your post, it would've been my mams 51st birthday on the saturday just gone.

Good luck with your treatment.