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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