A Short Post — regarding people’s nether regions
Just want to get this one out of the way because — well, because that’s what this blog is actually for. It’s here that I talk to myself (and to some of you in the process.) More becoming than screaming in the mirror.
March was prostate cancer awareness month in the UK. This coincided with Mike’s PSA test, and subsequent biopsy. To make a long story short, he’s got it. Adenocarcinoma of the prostate. It’s unfortunately a high score on the Gleason Scale but from what we understand this is a disease with a very high success rate for treatment. We’re more than confident in the French Health System which has already organised a team to meet with us to put together a treatment plan.
The first few days were a bit of a shock, but there’s really nothing much one can do other than face it head on, like we did the Melanoma — and fix it. So, onwards and upwards.
Speaking of the melanoma, wear sun screen, people. Mike didn’t as one can see below and the result is not great. I can’t blame him for this other one, though.
And here’s Stephen Fry talking about his own case in a really lovely way.
My Mazamet 
Oh dear! It’s never nice to get a second diagnosis of cancer. I recently was diagnosed with a rare and chronic blood cancer which is manageable but just having had the first cancer, hearing the word again is miserable. In my case there are other issues that I worry about not related to the actual disease but its interference with another condition I have. I hope Mike’s cancer is as hassle free as possible – when I went for my radiation simulation in Cancer part I, I was surrounded by older men with prostate cancer and here I was a 44 year old woman. I think they wondered what the heck I was doing there!
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We’re the same age! 🙂
My sympathies! What a pain to have to deal with these things twice. I completely agree that hearing the word again is awful. Like having a rug pulled from under you. The next steps are the localised CT and the scintigraphy, and we go from there
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Oh I was 44 seven years ago so I’m 52 now but I’ll take that we are approximately the same age! 😀 The radioactive tracer before my lumpectomy stung but it wasn’t too bad. Mine was to show the surgeon which lymph nodes to remove for biopsy. Who knew we all fell a part so young!
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My father got the radiation pellet treatment. 10 years ago now. All good. If a man lives long enough, it’s said, he will eventually contract prostate cancer.
Luck to Mike.
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Thank you! How were the side effects?
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I don’t recall him ever complaining (loudly). He had to go to a certain hospital to have it done. It was a process only due to his circumstances (Veteran Services).
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Good. Hopefully it’ll be the same for Mike
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What miserable luck.
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Indeed!
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All the best to Mike. Thanks for sharing Stephen Fry. Love his book shelves!
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Thank you! And YES!!! First thing we noticed as well 😀
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I send my best to Mike, and to you. When someone I love is in dire straights I become something of a mother hen . . . in jack boots. (I am here to help, so don’t get in my way!)
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Thanks so much! I’m in mother hen mode most of the time, to Mike’s enormous irritation 😀 So when things like this happen I become unbearable, which deep down I know he finds comforting!
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Lol. The people in my life just ignore me. I went to all my appointments and treatments alone and they just carried on as well. But I am unloveable lol.
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I don’t believe in unlovability! I can relate to the feeling of doing everything on one’s own, though. In general I don’t tell anyone (in real life) about any problem unless I have no choice. On the internet there’s a certain detachment so I don’t mind.
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I only tell those who are somewhat damaged themselves. But yes I do tend to just go do things on my own as well.
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I just had my prostate cut out in September for this very thing. I recovered fine and I’m very happy that the cancer was cut outta me. Like I always say to my dog before going to sleep every night, fuck cancer!! Let me know if I can help or answer any questions.
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Wow!!! Actually yes, I have lots of questions, if you don’t mind. How was it? Did you have side effects? Did you also have radiation?
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My dad’s friend had radiation. His other friend has the pellets put in. They are men so who knows they never tell each other how it goes. Haha.
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Absolutely true!
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No radiation. I chose to have it cut out and they got it early. There was an option to watch and monitor it but fuck that. I wanted it out. They use a machine called the Davinci to take it out. It’s a four hour surgery. Hurt like a mother fucker when I woke up and for at least a week after but not everyone has that much pain. I was in the hospital for two days but some people stay only one. I had a catheter in my dick for a week after the surgery. No pain with it, but it’s odd having a tube and a bag of piss hanging outta you for a week. Then, after the tube comes out, you dribble pee for almost six months so I need to wear a pad for that, but it’s been six months and there is now almost no dribble. I’m just glad it’s out. Scary news to get, but thank goodness I get regular check ups and PSA tests. They got it early.
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Thank you for the frankness, that’s exactly what I wanted. The more open people are about these things the less is left to the imagination to degenerate into fear. Some pain and a pad for a few months seems like a small price to pay to stay alive. Even more so if it’s someone other than me paying 😀
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I meant to write I had insurance! Without it I’d have been screwed
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Cancer is always shit but at least they’re getting pretty good at treating it these days especially prostate cancer. I hope it goes super well for you guys and just makes for great after dinner stories when it’s all gone.
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The melanoma has turned into dinner stories already. I enjoy saying actors will do anything for attention, they can’t help it, even get cancer! And it turns out I was right!
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Hahaha!
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I had no insurance, thank da lawd!! Very pricey surgery. Let me know if you need any more info.
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There will be many questions coming your way, Oracle of Delphi. Prepareth thyself!
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I had insurance!
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I don’t believe you now.
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😁😁
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You had some sort of blackmail scheme against a nurse at Chicago Med. I’ve seen the show, I know how it works!
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Why I think you are right. He must have a million people calling the hospital every 2 minutes
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I told them they could keep my prostate if they did the surgery for free. 😁
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You really are silly
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Nuts, too 😁
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Which nuts? Nuts nuts or nuts bonkers😀
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I think we know the answer to that!
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You know it could be both
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I would’ve asked for it in a jar, then I would’ve named it and introduced it to people as what was left of the twin I absorbed in the womb.
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I tried to take it home, but the said they destroy it after the biopsy. I was so sad. My prostate and I had a lot of fun over the years,.
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Thanks for trusting us with this, Pinky. And thanks for the Stephen Fry video, it explained the process in a gentle, yet positive way. Please tell Mike that we’re thinking of him while he undergoes whatever treatment the specialists think best.
The thing I particularly liked about the Fry video was what he said at the end, about the immune system. Ultimately it’s Mike’s own immune system that will see him through – good food, I know you have that covered Pinky, fresh air, exercise and as little stress as possible because stress depresses the immune system. Not in an emotional way but by reducing its capacity to work at maximum efficiency.
Like Stephen Fry, my own cancer had spread to a lymph node but I’m still here, almost 12 years later, and I put that down to good luck and my immune system.
As for you, my dear friend, I know you’re a worrier, and I know how much Mike means to you so /you/ stay strong too.
Huge hugs to you both.
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Thank you! People like to complain about the internet but it’s amazing to be able to get out of our own heads and have the opportunity to hear people’s ideas and experiences. Especially the ones who have dealt with similar things 🙂
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I’ll never complain about the internet. 🙂 It keeps me sane, especially the last two years. And yes, being able to share nasty stuff like this takes a little bit of the sting out. Give Mike a hug from me. 🙂
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I certainly will! 🤗
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Well, Pink, all the best to Mike and having reliable health care makes a Mountain of a difference
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It really does. It’s also a user-friendly system, so one always feels supported.
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So sorry to hear.. I have several friends who have been successfully treated for this keeping the details firmly to themselves. However they are all well now. Very best wishes to my boys in France.x
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Thanks so much, Elizabeth 🙂 Now that the shock has passed we’re prepared to treat it as an inconvenience that will soon be over!
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So sorry to hear this. Thankfully you aren’t in the Uk where many treatments, including those for cancer, have massive waiting lists. I don’t know anybody who’s had prostate cancer, so all I can do is wish Mike well, and hope the treatment isn’t too unpleasant. Hugs to you both. Xx
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Fortunately it’s all super quick here. The tests are in 2 weeks and the team meeting at the end of the month. Apparently treatment is minimally invasive surgery or possibly just radiation. Or a combination of the two 😊
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It was fast when I had my cancer and also when my dad had his here. A friend was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma and although it was quick, he had to wait an extra week because of all the people with covid taking up beds. He is bitter about it as every day gives him more time.
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We’ve been up and down that road. Mike was supposed to do the PSA when Covid began and kept putting it off to not go to the hospital. But it’s no use rehashing all of the shoulda coulda woulda 🙂
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I hope it will be OK for you both.
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Thanks, Claire! At the moment we’re very positive 🙂
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Good luck. Positive vibes and keeping entertained and living life will see you through. The French system seems good and they get things done.
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Sorry to hear about the diagnosis. I’ve been dealing with prostate cancer for the last 11.5 years. I had surgery in January 2011 and, unfortunately, it’s returned and I’m starting salvage radiation in June. If you want to learn about the experience, I’ve been blogging about this since Day 1, and I don’t spare many details. Dansjourney.com Good luck!
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Thanks, Dan! Just followed you.
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