Best Mate and Prostate Cancer

[LG17]

Sorry guys but I just need to get this out of my system.
I've just got off the phone to my best mate who has just told me he has prostate cancer, med - severe.

We are only 63 and haven't finished doing all the things we want to do yet.

He lives on the Redcliffe Peninsula and I live in Cairns.
We are always flying up or down and catching up.

I am currently in the process of trying to extricate myself from here for good and our plan was to buy a few acres of land behind the Sunshine Coast next door to each other so we could fartarse around together both happily retired.

Our wives would love that too.

We've been great mates since we were 20 years old and this news has just floored me. Yes I know it's also floored him and his family.

FMD :(

[Powdered Toast Man]

Operable? If so and it hasn't spread don't give up hope. But sorry to hear.

I guy at my work had prostate cancer and is still going strong after having his prostate removed. Its a constant vigil to make sure it doesn't come back but he is living with it.

[Madaya]

Mate, my Dad had PC, diagnosed about a year ago. Dad is 73. Underwent chemo (mostly hormones) and radiation. Treatment finished towards the end of 2012. First indications on check ups is - no problems. All seems well.
As long as your bud gets the best medical care, follows the good advice and follows through with the treatment, he should be okay.
In my personal view, (limited knowledge of course) hanging onto the prostate would be good, and being older, this may be the best thing. Otherwise, if doc recommends saying seeya to the dangly bits, at your mates age, there is no loss, he wont become a soprano and with hrt, you wouldn't know the difference.
So, serious, yes. Treatable yes. Lots of courage, certainly. The white coats have a good idea of what's best for your mate. The fact that you are with him in this is half the battle won.
The very best wishes. PM if you need a chat.

[LG17]

He had heaps more tests today so should know tomorrow.

[poppa smurf]

yeah! not good to hear.....look old age is not a good place to be sometimes.....

I keep telling my young feller to always do today, don't ever put it off, we aren't here very long and some of us shorter than most.

FIL had prostrate cancer, not a good one, mind you that was 20 years ago, medicine has gone ahead in leaps and bounds since then.

all I can say is that he needs his mate more than ever now, you gotta be strong for him,... I wish him luck.

[Fantome]

There's a few of us on these forums that have either been through or undertaking various treatments for Prostate Cancer. Please feel free to PM.

My experience was that having a terrific partner, a good support base, as much knowledge as you can get and a positive attitude are just as important as the medical side of things.

[DJM83]

Sorry to hear mate, thats a long friendship and i admire it.
I wish him all the best and hopefully it all goes well for him and you guys get a lot more time to enjoy retirement.

[revcore]

Fingers crossed that it can be operated on successfully. My uncle had quite a moderate case of prostate cancer and his operation was highly successful so all being well they can get rid of it from his body forever.
Let us all know how it all goes.

[kate648]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

yeah! not good to hear.....look old age is not a good place to be sometimes......

Not always old age, a very close mate of mine is going through it. 20yrs old.

I hope your mate gets through it, and if things aren't looking too good for him, why not pack up and follow your dream?

[redxm]

cancer is a *****. know/knew too many people with it.
forget Mars or the Moon. cure cancer first
Knowing that you are there for him is the best treatment.

Hope it all turns out good for him.

[LG17]

Thanks guys.
I feel a bit better about things now.
I just had to get it off my chest.

I'll talk to his wife tomorrow and him on Saturday and will go down for a few days very shortly regardless of the prognosis.

F@!#@#$@$%#%ing cancer!!!!!!!!!!!
A curse on it.

[zilo]

You sound like a really good friend.
He will be rapt to see you there, exactly what he needs.

[b2tf]

Sucks doesn't it. My dad had prostate cancer but touch wood has been clear ever since. He caught it early and the sobering thing about it was that the only way it was picked up was that when he went to have a blood test for an unrelated thing, they picked up his PSA levels (Prostate Specific Antigen) were higher than normal. That was enough to warrant further investigation and it all went from there.

Best of luck with it to you and your mate, It's a right you know what of a disease that is undortunately all too common as this thread shows.

[2011G6E]

Hope it all comes out alright for your mate! Every guy on here will be thinking of you.

It's a badly ignored disease...just as many men are diagnosed and die from prostate cancer as women with breast cancer, but prostate cancer seems to get pretty much ignored by the media.
The one good statistic is that many many more men die with prostate cancer than actually die from the disease.

[Burnout]

Tough when your mate gets this crook, good luck with it.

[Ford_The_Win]

That sucks mate, but they've gotten pretty good at treating PC. My gramps was diagnosed with moderate PC a couple of years ago, caught just in time. Full course of treatment & operation, 3 years on he's still here and still giving everybody a hard time

Hope it's good news

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

It's a badly ignored disease...just as many men are diagnosed and die from prostate cancer as women with breast cancer, but prostate cancer seems to get pretty much ignored by the media.

Yes, badly ignored....by men!!! Like most other health issues that face men. Men are notoriously bad at going to see their GP for a regular check up which is essential every 6-12 months at any age. That is one of the main reasons why women outlive men, because they aren't too proud to go and see their doctor and get potential health issues like blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar, cell count etc. monitored regularly.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by Ford_The_Win

That sucks mate, but they've gotten pretty good at treating PC. My gramps was diagnosed with moderate PC a couple of years ago, caught just in time. Full course of treatment & operation, 3 years on he's still here and still giving everybody a hard time

Hope it's good news



Yes, badly ignored....by men!!! Like most other health issues that face men. Men are notoriously bad at going to see their GP for a regular check up which is essential every 6-12 months at any age. That is one of the main reasons why women outlive men, because they aren't too proud to go and see their doctor and get potential health issues like blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar, cell count etc. monitored regularly.

Cancer is a ******; lost Dad, Mum, most of my uncles, my BIL.

Be strong & positive for him. If they have caught it early, the prognosis is generally good.

And here’s something for EVERY bloke here to think about; go to your doctor and get a blood test every coupla years. It’s a lot more comfortable than the ole thumb up the bum, and in most cases can alert your doctor early to something being amiss.

[Hell Cat]

My dad went into hospital yesterday and they did some biopsies.. he will find out the results on monday.
He's 60. Hopefully all goes well.

[Kevxr8Leexr6]

You are the kind of mate some of us wish we had . hope all goes well , technology has come a long way and im sure the best treatment is available.

just on the above (awareness) post. things are changing for the better. mens workshops are popping up everywhere now. and my hat comes off to the media of the continuous call team . nrl footy here that is. constantly reminding the listeners of their own experiences with PC , turning it into a laughable but very serious awareness to us of it . well done Blocker an the Big man.

[Papa Smurf]

I do hope your mate gets better and beats this insidious disease. I have lost 2 family members to it.
I am always amazed that the world spends more $$$ on killing people and going to the moon than is spent on diseases LIKE Cancer. Maybe there isn't enough profit in it?

[supershifty]

Originally Posted by Ford_The_Win

Yes, badly ignored....by men!!! Like most other health issues that face men. Men are notoriously bad at going to see their GP for a regular check up which is essential every 6-12 months at any age. That is one of the main reasons why women outlive men, because they aren't too proud to go and see their doctor and get potential health issues like blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar, cell count etc. monitored regularly.

^^^ Amen to that!

I've been getting the PSA test since it became available, used to have to pay, ($70-meh!) now it's covered by medicare - I think for one test annually though. I go for 4 blood tests a year as I'm diabetic. Cancer loves diabetes, seems to thrive on it. I've noticed recently that I'm having to "go" several times a night and pass very little urine when I do. Time for a chat with the GP and get the probe done. Not looking forward to it, but it's better than the consequences of ignorance.

All the best wishes to your mate LG17, it must suck bad for all concerned around him. 2011G6E is on the money, more men die with it, not from it.

Cheers!

[LG17]

YEE BLOODY HAH!!!!!!

Doc has just been and good news in that it is confined to his prostate only!!!!!!!

Everyone is breathing again.

Doc will go through options next week but today is for a little celebration - odd, I know, celebrating cancer but I think you know where I'm coming from.

[poppa smurf]

well there ya go.....well done him!

now when did you last have a checkup.......dont put it off any longer.

[FPV8U]

Fantastic LG, it's important to be positive in these situations.

Best of luck to you best mate during the treatment process.

[LG17]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

well there ya go.....well done him!

now when did you last have a checkup.......dont put it off any longer.

Every year on my birthday I go to my doc for a complete check up - been doing it for about 6 or 7 years now.

It's a weird birthday present but it saves me having to remember when I last had a check up.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by LG17

Sorry guys but I just need to get this out of my system.
I've just got off the phone to my best mate who has just told me he has prostate cancer, med - severe.

Tell him he has heaps to look forward to if he has surgery (which I think is the best way). Fun stuff like.

A week in hospital with the first 3 days lying flat on your back feeling very sorry for yourself (with a catheter)

Trying to sleep with nurses waking you up every 2 hours for blood pressure, temp, catheter draining.

Your Wife taking pics of your sorry self lying there in Hospital.

Going home and having to have the catheter there for the next 2 weeks!!

Going back to the Hospital for tests and so a doctor can show the student Dr's you lying on your back and how they 'flush the system'.

Finally getting the catheter taken out and having to wear nappies!! (they call them pads, but lets be honest here)

Having about 8 weeks off work.

If he goes to Hospital tell him to leave his dignity at the Hospital front door

But above all tell him to do the Pelvic floor exercises that the Dr will tell him to do otherwise he'll be in nappies for life.

[revcore]

Originally Posted by Papa Smurf

I do hope your mate gets better and beats this insidious disease. I have lost 2 family members to it.
I am always amazed that the world spends more $$$ on killing people and going to the moon than is spent on diseases LIKE Cancer. Maybe there isn't enough profit in it?

Agree 100% George.

[poppa smurf]

Originally Posted by LG17

Every year on my birthday I go to my doc for a complete check up - been doing it for about 6 or 7 years now.

It's a weird birthday present but it saves me having to remember when I last had a check up.

glad to hear that, I've got to get mine done but I cant find a doctor who will buy me dinner first, I dont want it to get around that I'm easy!

[Turboconvert]

Agreed with all of the above. Good news on the refinement to the prostate only. Some of the responses above about even young blokes getting it is making me think I should start getting general check ups every couple of years. Also note to the OP, it is probably a good thing that you have put up this thread as it gets the word out there that blokes need to get a check up for this disease as often as women should for breast cancer. As said breat cancer gets a lot of media coverage where as prostate cancer is not something often talked about, let alone in the media.

[LG17]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

glad to hear that, I've got to get mine done but I cant find a doctor who will buy me dinner first, I dont want it to get around that I'm easy!

I have some bad news for you Poppa, If the doc buys you dinner first it will cost you a hell of a lot more!

Better off just laying down on your side and going, "Aahhh!"