That walnut sized organ: the Prostate

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.

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…