That walnut sized organ: the Prostate

Calahonda52

A bit light on the treatment but still useful

https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2025/0524/1514716-feargal-sharkey-reveals-prostate-cancer-diagnosis/

Farmer Dan

I'm 47 this year. Psa came back in june of 4.7.

Had dre and was told it felt a little rough. Had MRI last Monday. Don't know what to think.....

Have read through this complete thread.

Calahonda52

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123697099#Comment_123697099

Consider yourself lucky!

My reference point always been that if mine had not been detected I would have been dead in 18 months.

As a matter of interest, at 47, what prompted the test?

.

The key thing here is to deal with the facts as presented to you and do not engage with doom and gloom conversations with colleagues/friends/social media.

Pity etc just doesn't cut it as a positive contribution in this space.

If you read all of this u will have found something like the following

eat well

sleep well ( unaided)

exercise well

only engage with folk who have a positive impact on your well being

I can't emphasis that last one enough

Then as a follow on from that, be very selective about what social and other media you engage with.

Keep us posted, your experience will help others

Justjens

I've had a bit of a rough ride this year.

Mid Feb ended up in hospital with blue toe on my right foot, can't say I recommend it. Clots were blocking the capilaries in my toes, where were they coming from? 15 days of Iloprost and blood thinners helped ease the swelling and pain.

CT scan showed leisons on my pancreas and liver, first biopsy was inconclusive due to the tissue being crystalised. Finally got the second one done and after three weeks I was out, the clinic looking after my prostate said they'd take over once the results came back…….and it wasn't good, stage 4 pancreatic cancer, the dirty one you don't want, apparently it's not related to prostate cancer.

I wasn't expecting that!!!

Started chemo Good Friday, felt sh!t all weekend, temp of 102.4, back into hospital on Sunday with cellulitis in my left foot. I had allergic reactions to every antiobotic they gave me. Clot had shifted and was stuck behind my left knee, been on self administered blood thinner injections ever since, I'm now at very high risk of clots for the rest of my life because of the tumours.

Before I started treatment the consultant had mentioned genetic testing, as this was my second round of cancer. Phone call on a Friday in early April from Mater as they'd had a cancellation on Monday, needless to say I was there. 10% chance of finding something amiss but worth the shot. Reason they chose me? They thought I was too young to have had cancer twice, I was moved that they picked me. There is also a history of cancer in the family.

While I was in hospital after Easter the results came back….two links had been found. The BRCA2 being the main culpit, now the consultant had a target for the chemo so for my second treatment things ramped up a bit. I am now in every two weeks for 12 cycles, 5 hours each time and it isn't easy.

Had a scan after 5 cycles and the consultant is very pleased, tumours are shrinking. I've 6 cycles left to go now.

There is also a maintainence drug after the chemo that is only suitable for patients with the BRCA2 gene, so that's a relief as the alternative was regular scans and if it returned more chemo.

So my siblings and their offspring are hopefully going to get genetic tested nnow to see if they carry the bastard of a gene, better to be forewarned…

Calahonda52

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchán_Magan

RIP

A reminder to get yourselves tested

Calahonda52

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgkwn0l771o

59

Get tested

WishUWereHere

Hello

I’ve just come across this excellent thread. If I may, I’d like to share my story.
May 2024 Joe Duffy ran a full programme on PC & the side effects. I had been peeing a lot & knew something wasn’t right inside me. Up to this time I hadn’t bothered to see my doctor except for the eye test for my driving licence.
I walked into my GP on June 10 2024 for a full medical, including blood tests.

He called me back 3-4 days later & told me my PSA was 32.5 & very concerning. He referred me to TUH for a consultation with the urologist. That happened in August. Since then I’ve had various scans, blood tests and consultations. Earlier this year I had a biopsy ( this is really a toughie ), the results confirming I have prostate cancer (PC ). Up to this point almost all my consultations were held in TUH.
I was referred to James’s ( SJH ) where I was put on hormone tablets, plus visomni to help me get a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. I also had a PET scan, which apparently can only be performed in SJH. I’ve also had numerous blood tests, latest last Thursday ( 21st ) where my PSA was down to 0.20 - this wasn’t instantaneous as about a month ago it was 6.1, 2 weeks ago 0.27. I also had a CT scan. I’ve an appointment in TUH on December 4 for a follow up blood trst & am to meet a specialist to discuss the results of my CT scan.

In the meantime I started daily radiation therapy in SJH on 12 November, I have I believe another 30 sessions after today. The first 2 days of therapy were very tough : day 1 I sat on the toilet for 2.5 before I got movement with my bowel. The 2nd I had 3 enemas inserted before I was able to make a ‘deposit’. That 2nd day I was in SJH for 8 hours. They prescribed laxatives to me which I take one at night & another the next morning. These combined with the enema have helped immensely.
Side effects: I walk to my local train station ( 1.1km ) to get the train up to Heuston. Last Thursday the diarrhoea hit me @& had an accident on train coming home ( I’m from Newbridge btw ) which was most embarrassing & uncomfortable. Thankfully the next morning I was fine ready for the daily ‘treat’ in SJH. The only other side effect is I’m beginning to feel the fatigue.
If I may can I ask anyone starting out on this journey to be VERY conscious of Your bladder. I have to drink 6 glasses of water 30 minutes prior to the radiation. As others have said it can be very uncomfortable by the time the daily radiation is complete I have to race to the toilet to empty the bladder. I then head down to Heuston to get the train home. But before getting on the train I have to get to the toilet again. And if that’s not bad enough I must use the train toilet just before arriving into Newbridge Station, as it takes me about 20 minutes to walk home, & as soon as I’m into my house I’m very anxious to get to the toilet again. Anyone starting out on this journey I CANNOT stress enough using the toilet as much as possible.
I cannot praise the staff in both SJH & TUH & my GP highly enough. That 8 hours before I got my bowel moving, the staff were incredibly comforting & reassuring. I was tempted to give up and walk out but they were so so patient. Thankfully, I think I’ve mastered the ‘art’.

Sorry for the long spiel but I’d like to finish by imploring anyone who doesn’t get their bloods tested regularly to DO IT ASAP. Only for Liveline, I might have passed on.
Thank You for Your patience reading this. I’ll keep You updated, particularly after 04 December when I have another blood test & the outcome of my CT scan.

Ger

WishUWereHere

EDIT: I’ve done a bit of research since my diagnosis & discovered contracting PC is now possible for people in the 40’s . Btw I forgot to mention my age - I’m 69.

More EDIT: for those unsure, go to Your GP. One weekend I googled PC when my PSA was 32.5. Do NOT google it, as according to google I should be 6ft under.

Calahonda52

Ger,

Happy you found this thread which I started and best wishes for the journey.

Thank you for sharing the reality of the radiation treatment and please contribute what you can when you can.

Just wonder did they discuss any possible side effects of the radiotherapy.

From 2016

After 10 days in hospital due to complications, the consultant came in one morning at 06:30.

The "monologue" went like this:

xxxx, you are an A personality so to give yourself the best chance at a long life you need to do the following.

1: Eat well

2: Exercise well.

3: Sleep well, ideally unaided, more of 2 can help with this

4: Be  a contribution, however small, every day. family/friends/work colleagues, community, whatever.

5: Only associate and converse with people who have a positive impact on your wellbeing.

[My take: No room for "Ah Jayus that's terrible"]

I have since added a sixth:

6: Control what you consume on social media etc:

e.g. I no longer sit down to watch the news on TV and don't do social media except for Linked In

Am not saying I follow them all every day but it definitely helps

WishUWereHere

Breaking news on Sky

https://news.sky.com/story/national-prostate-cancer-screening-not-recommended-on-nhs-13476471

thank goodness for the HSE

I was diagnosed at 68 and I’m the first that I know of in my Family with PC.