Old guy's health

Submitted: Sunday, Jun 05, 2011 at 21:11

ThreadID: 86777 Views:2411 Replies:11 FollowUps:10

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Whirlwinder

Hi All,
I used to post as "Ian H" so some may remember me.
This is certainly OT stuff but I hope the moderator sees the value to the forum.
I'm 64 and was diagnosed with prostate cancer about 4 weeks ago and because it was such an aggressive cancer the prostate and surrounding bits had to come out ASAP.
I got home from hospital on Friday after successfull surgery with precautionary radiotherapy in about to be done in about 4 months.
However that is all just the result of having REGULAR yearly prostate examination and PSA testing done after the age of 45 or 40 if your dad had it.
I have been tested regularly for about 10 years and my test in March this year was about 6 months late but not too late as the post op tests have shown.
My message is to all us older campers. Get checked each year at the same time. Birthdays are a good reminder or ask your wife to remind you.
I think I have dodged a bullet but had I let it go another few months the result would have been fatal as my PSA went from a "watch and wait" 3 to a instant surgery 38 in about 18 months. Normal PSA is about 1 - 2 for a bloke my age.
Ok, I will get off the soapbox so you can make a note to yourself.
Best health to us oldies,
Ian

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Reply By: Witi Repartee - Sunday, Jun 05, 2011 at 21:28

Sunday, Jun 05, 2011 at 21:28

Hi Ian,
Best of luck with your recovery, hope you are not "off the road"for too long. Thanks for the heads up....a timely reminder my PSA is due next month. Cheers

AnswerID: 456504

Reply By: Kimba10 - Sunday, Jun 05, 2011 at 21:35

Sunday, Jun 05, 2011 at 21:35

Hi Ian I do remember your old user name. Glad to hear you are going ok. As a smoker I think I will be getting checked from here on in. My wifes grandfather was the same as you, had it checked yearly without fail, he had one check done and his reading for memory was 5 so had jumped up, had to go back in 6 months time instead of the usual 12 and had his reading had jumped dramatically so same as you, hes doing great now and is 83. I just went to a funeral on friday for a family friend she was 41 year younger then me would have been 42 this year. She never smoked,drank, no history of cancer in the family, (grandparents lived to 92 and 93) died from breast cancer returning. You just never know whats around the corner. Great news for you anyway and look after yourself. Regards Steve

AnswerID: 456505

Reply By: Echucan Bob - Sunday, Jun 05, 2011 at 21:37

Sunday, Jun 05, 2011 at 21:37

Ian

Welcome to the "C" club.

I hope it all goes well.

I recommend going bush as part of the treatment.

Best wishes

Bob

AnswerID: 456506

Follow Up By: Whirlwinder - Sunday, Jun 05, 2011 at 21:54

Sunday, Jun 05, 2011 at 21:54

Thanks for the welcome.
As for the reccommendaion to go bush, well we have cancelled a 4 week trip to Kakadu, bugger, but we have been before so it doesn't matter but we also have a 4 week trip to Croatia in Sept this year including 2 weeks on a 50' yacht. This also will be cancelled due to radiotherapy!
Oh well, things could be worse but thank goodness for travel insurance.
Ian

FollowupID: 729575

Reply By: eighty matey - Sunday, Jun 05, 2011 at 21:59

Sunday, Jun 05, 2011 at 21:59

Good luck with everything Ian.

For the past few years I have been getting a check up around my birthday every year. Don't forget to get the skin cancer check too. I had my first melanoma cut out last year, age 49. Due again so I hope all is good.

Take care,

eighty matey

AnswerID: 456513

Reply By: Farmboywa - Sunday, Jun 05, 2011 at 22:39

Sunday, Jun 05, 2011 at 22:39

Congratulations on being a fellow survivor of a Radical Protatectomy. I dodged the bullet 6 years ago at the age of 56. Post op biopsy found a more dangerous cancer the preop biopsy missed. Now getting on to the relevance of this topic to this forum. Once you have recovered from the surgery and researched and discovered methods to enjoy intimacy again, your new found potency without virility is going to cause van rocking issues and suspension noise irritations. Out of consideration for your neighbouring campers you will need to stabilise and grease the van accordingly. Other parts that need to be lubricated will be revealed from your research.

AnswerID: 456516

Follow Up By: Whirlwinder - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 08:52

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 08:52

Hi Farmboywa,
I, like you, had much worse post op pathology report than he pre op biopsy incicated though the pre op one was not good!
I hope you are right and I do need to keep the suspension well greased to avoid annoying other campers.
It seems from the replies that we men are finally taking this potential problem seriously just as the girls do.
Ian

FollowupID: 729589

Reply By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 07:41

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 07:41

Yes I agree, I have a 12 monthly check, the Specalist does the Digital Job and Ultrasound check.

Blokes have to realize that there is no shame in getting checked out.

You are more of a man by facing up to reality.

The Girls get their Boobs and Plumbing checked, so why not us re: Prostrate.

Cheers

AnswerID: 456526

Follow Up By: The Original JohnR (Vic) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 08:31

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 08:31

No Daza, your prostate, the 'r' doesn't rate

FollowupID: 729586

Follow Up By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 14:38

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 14:38

Sorry about the extra R just had an extra one.lol lol

FollowupID: 729636

Reply By: The Original JohnR (Vic) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 08:32

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 08:32

Hope you can get on top of the illness quickly Ian

AnswerID: 456534

Reply By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 12:40

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 12:40

Thanks for the advice, Ian; a timely reminder to us all. I hope that the post-op treatment is successful. Had mine checked the other day, and it was less than 1, so I can thankfully shelve that for another year.

But this all reminds us of how uncertain our life is - we all reckon we're bullet-proof till a scare comes along. I thought I was quite fit, having been careful with my diet and having gone to a gym for 40 years, reckoned I'd live till 90, but two years ago, at 63, was rushed to hospital resulting in 6 coronary bypasses. One just never knows.
So now I'm fine, but it's live life for the moment, and I'm trying to cram in as much as I can in retirement. Life is too short.

Speedy recovery.
regards, Gerry

AnswerID: 456578

Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 17:37

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 17:37

6 bypasses joc45? You must have lived quite a life! I only had 3. But mine are still first class after 21 years of use. So instead of a new lease on life you might just have bought a big slab of it. All the best to you.
Kevin

Kevin
It is important to always maintain a sense of proportion

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FollowupID: 729669

Follow Up By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 18:43

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 18:43

Thanks, Kevin! If it had been a wild life, I would've had an excuse! T'was a bit of a shock to the system when they told me how many.
Guess you're right, it's like a rebore, new bearings, pistons and rings all in one, so if I'm as lucky as you, I should be right till I'm 100! I feel pretty good now, so here's hoping...
cheers
Gerry

FollowupID: 729677

Reply By: Member - Paul F (QLD) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 15:58

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 15:58

Thanks for the wake-up Wirlwinder. I have had a PSA done fairly regularly for many years now. However I often delay the test to sometimes 18 months or so - your post is a very timely reminder

Thanks

Paul

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AnswerID: 456603

Reply By: Member - michael H (NSW) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 19:42

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 19:42

Hi Whirlwinder/Ian H
I'm 42 and its Time I visited the doctor, I did see him about a year ago and he gave me some paperwork to go do a blood test but haven't gone yet
I only went to him for antibiotics for a flu that I couldn't shake I'm normally not one to see the doctor.
I'm one of many of us who thinks that work comes first and I don't have time to be sick :-(
You may not remember but you gave me a home made draw system for my 80 series quite a few years ago, So thanks again for that and a the timely reminder to get those tests done.

Cheers Michael

AnswerID: 456632

Follow Up By: Whirlwinder - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 21:51

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 21:51

Yes, I do remember you although didn't remember you name.
Is the drawer unit still working? I have since built a bigger,better one plus a double shelf over where the back seat used to be. I have also installed an on board hydrogen generator which allows hydrogen and oxygen to be fed into the inlet system with the result being a 20% drop in fuel consumption, much smoother running and near particle free exhaust.
Now I have to cool my heels till I am strong enough to drive the big thing.
Don't delay your PSA check. Do it each year without fail.

Ian

FollowupID: 729724

Follow Up By: Member - michael H (NSW) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 23:31

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 23:31

No mate units gone now, have an Outback set in the 100 series now.
Would love to hear more about that hydrogen set up of yours perhaps start another thread?

Cheers Michael

Take care

FollowupID: 729737

Follow Up By: Whirlwinder - Tuesday, Jun 07, 2011 at 09:43

Tuesday, Jun 07, 2011 at 09:43

Michael,
With all the sceptics on here I don't think a new thread would be a good idea but feel free to contact me on 0413875536 anytime (especially now as I am off work for 4-5 weeks) and I will give you the info. Just to be sure it is you calling I will ask a question about the old drawer unit.
If we think the forum can handle a new thread then I will start one.
Look forward to hear from you.
Ian

FollowupID: 729756