My latest update: Well it is now... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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My latest update

BrianE profile image
18 Replies

Well it is now November 2018 and things have progressed.

In July my baby daughter, 56 this year, accompanied to see my urologist to review my latest PSA test. It was 0.98; my lowest ever was 0.3 and highest 1.03. My urologist saw this as a positive sign and I laughed out loud. My reading of published papers showed that the PSA test is very accurate but the readings can vary due to the patient's condition. My previous reading of 1.00 and the the new reading varied by only 2.0% which was insignificant which, in my opinion, showed that the Casodex had not worked. I was persuaded to give it three months.

I also complained about soreness in my right groin. It felt like the hernia I had fixed a few years back. I was sent for a CT scan with tracer of the lower abdomen which started a chain of events which highlights the differences in the medical profession.

After the scan I was called back as the "Doctor" wanted to have an ultrasound of the groin carried out. I, of course, went back to the radiologist and the ultrasound showed an enlarged lymph node which had shown up in CT scan. Incidentally the CT scan also showed that my hip mets extended right across my pelvis. I as advised to have a needle guided biopsy in a couple of days. This conflicted with my next appointment with my urologist so I phoned up to move the appointment. To my amazement I was told that the urologist had not authorized the ultrasound and did not support the new biopsy and I was to attend my next appointment. I was very upset and went to see my GP and friend of over 20 years to sort out what to do. He advised me to visit the urologist as the biopsy could be done later. Later I found out that he phoned both the urologist and radiologist to sort things out. The "Doctor" was a radiologist who failed to notify the urologist of the ultrasound but used the urologist's original authorization to conduct the test. My urologist took offense and started a flurry of communications.

I attended the follow up meeting with my urologist who didn't think that the biopsy was necessary as the lymph node was almost certainty cancerous. This with the dubious PSA result and, as I was still having blood in my urine which was still causing concern as I was on blood thinners for Atrial Fibrillation , I was asked to consider stopping blood thinners taking aspirin instead.

I went to see my cardiologist who said it unlikely that aspirin would be any use but the use of aggressive blood thinners was not advised with bleeding tumors so an alternative treatment was advised. I am now of blood thinners as I await a Left Atrium Appendage Occlusion scheduled for December 20. I now have to worry about having a stroke as well.

This Monday, November 12, I got the results of my latest PSA. It was 3.7 a nearly quadrupling in three months. It has been decided to stop Casodex and take Androcur instead until after the heart procedure before reviewing follow on treatment n January.

Overnight my waterworks packed in. I was having bladder spasms every 15 minutes before passing blood. It was extremely painful and at 3.30am Tuesday morning I called an ambulance. The Paramedic gave me a Penthrox inhaler to minimize the pain but I still had spasms and passed blood on the way to the ER. We pulled over to let me stand and use a travel john three times on the journey. The ER nurse measured my urine retention as over 750ml and tried to insert a catheter without success. The ER doctor used more force and succeeded. I ended lying in a puddle of blood and urine as my bladder emptied.

I was fitted with a leg bag and, after the ER doctor phoned my urologist to advise of this development, was picked up by a friend and was home by 10.00. I received a phone call from my urologist and given an appointment for Wednesday November 14. I am now scheduled for surgery on Tuesday November 20 where they will either carry out a TURP to clear the urethra blockage or insert a superpubic catheter and block off the bladder above the prostate. My tumor will continue to bleed. It has extended to the the outer sphincter muscle.

Now I am having spasms every hour or so and passing blood around the catheter which appears to be cause by pressure in the bowel.

I have typed this lying on a recliner chair which my most comfortable position during the day apologize for the numerous typos!

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BrianE profile image
BrianE
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18 Replies
Schwah profile image
Schwah

Wow. Sounds absolutely awful. No one should have to endure such a miserable situation. Damn I wish there was something I could do or advise you to do. Hopefully one of the brain trust here will have some advise for you. In the meantime I’m saying a prayer for you.

Schwah.

BrianE profile image
BrianE in reply to Schwah

Thankyou

Jollyjill profile image
Jollyjill

What a nightmare! So sorry you had to go through all that! Hope situation will soon improve. Be strong!

BrianE profile image
BrianE in reply to Jollyjill

Thank you

Fairwind profile image
Fairwind

Maybe you could post a brief outline of your diagnosis and treatment so far...It's hard to reply without more information.. With your PSA of less than one, you should have no PC symptoms..So I suspect all the symptoms you are enduring are caused by something else...There are cases where advanced PC morphs into a form that produces very little PSA...In those cases the PSA test becomes useless and scans must be used to determine the extent of the cancer..

BrianE profile image
BrianE in reply to Fairwind

In my profile I cover my history with Pc. Basically as an old man with prostate problems but really low PSA was treated for an enlarged prostate for over 2 years before having my first TURP which the associated biopsy showed I had Pc with gleason 3+4=7.

I was put on watchful waiting and my PSA remained about one. After 9 months I had another TURP which showed my Pc had left the capsule. Scans showed that there were mets in my pelvis. Gleason now 4+5=9 and the cancer included pleomorphic giant cell adenocarcinoma which is very rare and aggressive. My MO suggested that I have ADT under my urologist's supervision. He advised that I was not likely to respond to chemo but I will go down that path when necessary.

My future treatment will require regular scans.

Brian

boseley profile image
boseley

OMG I feel so sorry for you.

BrianE profile image
BrianE in reply to boseley

I am an old man and will be using as many painkillers as I can get my hands on

JimVanHorn profile image
JimVanHorn

I can relate to you needing a catheter and they could not get it to go in. How painful!! My prostate was so large they had a hard time getting the catheter in. I had a different problem with my radiologist who was dishonest, telling me that that the cancer was all over the left side of my body, when it was not. He just wanted me to sign up for 42 radiations, but I had decided I needed them anyway. Also, I had no insurance and they wanted $130,000. at the hospital and he only charged $30,000. (what medicare would pay him). I wish you luck and thank you for telling us of your plight. I wish you well.

BrianE profile image
BrianE in reply to JimVanHorn

My RO charged $Aus17,000 for 5 sessions on two mets. After Australian Medicare Rebates I paid $Aus 3500

herb1 profile image
herb1

brian,

Bah, tough road. But my key question is "who's going to be in charge?" GP, urologist, radiologist (is he/she a radiation oncologist or "just" a radiologist?. Someone's got to be running the show for you. Good luck.

BrianE profile image
BrianE in reply to herb1

Good Question, my RO will only be used for palliative radiation of mets, my Urologist will hand over to my MO after I am well enough following my surgery tomorrow and if it still happens my heart procedure in December

herb1 profile image
herb1 in reply to BrianE

Good luck Brian. sounds like you've got a full plate and need a scorecard to keep track!

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n

Hey BrianE... You need what I think we all need "A FCUK-ing break". I wish you...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 11/18/2018 10:52 PM EST

BrianE profile image
BrianE in reply to j-o-h-n

I am running a book (thats a betting schedule in Aus) with my GP

Death from Pc Evens

Death from Heart condition 2 to 1

Death from other medical conditions 20 to 1

Death by being shot by irate husband odds increasing rapidly but one can dream

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n in reply to BrianE

What are the odds of you accidentally falling into a huge vat of lanolin and softening to death?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 11/19/2018 9:19 PM EST

BrianE profile image
BrianE in reply to j-o-h-n

Better than being shot!

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n in reply to BrianE

LOL✔

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 11/22/2018 12:11 PM EST

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