Thread: Cancer. The awkward conversation.

Originally Posted by Saitch

Discussion and social interaction is obviously a great assistance for many, but it's not for everyone.

No. I've accepted that. On the other hand, if even the discussion in the background is enough for someone to ask their GP for that other blood panel and it saves a life (or makes their eventual death less painful and drawn out). Well, maybe I think it's worth it.

So I'll keep bringing it up.

Originally Posted by BradC

No. I've accepted that. On the other hand, if even the discussion in the background is enough for someone to ask their GP for that other blood panel and it saves a life (or makes their eventual death less painful and drawn out). Well, maybe I think it's worth it.

So I'll keep bringing it up.

As will I. I will try not to be boorish about it, and if people aren't comfortable with it, subject closed. The group I joined was for me a support through the unusual diagnosis I got. Now I am connected with another group who see their role as raising awareness. After all, how many blokes do you know who self examine their breasts? We have exactly the same tissue and glands etc as the girls do, although I'm the first to admit that mine aren't as attractive as Jan's were. If I hadn't gone out into the Bellthorpe bush with Ian and Rob, and got me pumpkin hung up on a rock ( in my defence, I am used to driving Discos, where the front and rear are in a line. OKA isn't like that ) and had to get in the back and fallen on my way out then there's a fair chance I would not be here now, typing this. I had simply no idea, and I have been told that if my BC hadn't been detected for another few months then my treatment would have been palliative.

Like Brad, I'll keep bringing it up, and I'll keep updating my own thread. I won't try to force people to read it, but I hope they do, at least once.

Tom ( grey_ghost ) has a sign on his 101, if he still has it. It reads "One life. Live it." I always thought it was trite. I no longer do. I work daily to combat my ADHD so I can implement it in whatever time I have left. Jan taught me not to fear death, but I still think it's to be avoided for as long as possible. Well, as long as it's worth it. I looked after Mum for around five years when she was bedridden. She nearly made 103, but she didn't want to, every day stuck in bed with people wiping her bum. I don't want that either.

In the last 14 months I have been sliced, diced, poked and prodded and had more scans than I can remember. I've also been on IV antibiotics, been irradiated 30 times, and had about a hundred blood tests. It's tapering down now, and I'm grateful for that. But I'm even more grateful that I had it all in the first place. I lost about a year of mobility, and still have issues, but none of the tests or scans hurt, and cost little ( nothing, in my case ), and they can save your life. How long for? Nobody knows, which is why the choice to stop taking the anti cancer drugs was an easy one for me. Quality before quantity.

I hope someone gains something from what I say, but nobody has to listen, I absolutely respect that.

I was diagnosed with metatastic prostate cancer in June with a tumor on prostate. Symptom free. Get medicals every year for work really thorough covers everything - except psa.
Mine had gone from ok ( a few years ago) to off the charts. Was told that without treatment - 12-18 months and shes over red rover.
Got a gun urologist and same wrt to oncologist at Mater Cancer Care centre. On hormone therapy/chemo- done 5 out of 6 sessions. And oral inhibitors will be for life.
PSA has gone from off the charts 350 to 0.1.
I consider it a bit of a nuisance. The chemo has had an impact but am listening to my body if tired I stop. Back at the gym when able. The volunteers at the hospitals do amazing work!

Symptom free is the killer. Jan showed none until it was far, far too late. I had none either, and it was only an unrelated injury that allowed it to be detected. I was having regular blood tests because I decided to, after watching what happened to Jan. But either they weren’t specific enough or my cancer was not detectable that way. But, in my case , a simple self examination would have found it way earlier than I actually did. I might have avoided the three surgeries and ensuing difficulties. And, like others, my projected life expectancy undetected, well it probably would have expired by now.