My dad (79, no comorbidities) has prostate cancer. He was diagnosed just over four years ago 4+3=7. He was not operated (we do not live in the US and standards of medicine are much lower here). His only theraphy was hormone one - first casodex (bicalutamide) and now eligard every six month. Six months ago his PSA was around 0.7.
Today he had a check and he received a urine bag, as he is retaining too much urine. He got another injection and sent home - we will receive results in s week or two.
I'm freaking out. Is a urine bag a sign, we are to go on step downhill ride and I should prepare for the worst?
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MyDad76
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We live in Slovenia - Europe. Our health system is in 90% state run (universal health plane). We do not have a single privat hospital, just a few "out-patient" ones, that do very basic stuff. For all the rest we need a referral by GP and have next to none saying in treatment choice. So we do have universal health system, that ist available to all, but comes with a big price (low quality, no personal approach, one fits all theraphy).
Can't believe Slovenia..a European Nation is still living under Ghost of Communist mindset. Sad. Patient should always have choices and input when it comes to medical treatment. Authoritarianism comes in many different ways.
Unfortunately our health system is... as you said, a a communist one. The problem is, that politicians manged to convinced people, that we should be so happy, that we all have access to health system and that they keep threatening people with U.S system. Like, look, there if you do not have money, they let you die. First of all, In very much doubt it, second of all, the whole Europe has some form of universal health system, just there it works and they also have the option of private insurance. Sorry, I could rant all they about it. Fact is, I can take much better care of my cat or my car as I can of myself & my loved ones when it comes to health issues. We are all obliged to pay a certain % of income for universal health. Honestly, the amount I pay is very high and I would have top insurance just about everywhere. But here, I can't even pay additionally out of pocket, because there is not a single private hospital and the few private out-patient clinics do just simple stuff, but you can not get "full service".
With a PSA of 0.7, I do not think its his Prostate cancer is causing urinary problem. There should be a urinalysis (Urine test) to see if he has urinary tract infection. Then Urine culture will show the bacteria and which antibiotic kills it. Why the doctor there do not evaluate properly the cause of urine retention ?
Sorry to hear that in a beautiful country like Slovenia, it takes 2 to 3 weeks to get results of urine test. In US ,it takes 2 to 3 hours. Socialism is inefficient but capitalism can be brutal too. We need humanism . I admire your love and concern for your father.
I agree - extremes are not the answer in social order. In do not mind paying high price, If service would be ok. Or If they would just let me pay additionally out of the pocket. I know not everyone can pay the same price. I know I might need help tomorrow. In do not want people not getting treatment because they can not afford it. But our system does not work (it does work briliantly in theory, but sucks in practice). And if I have to choose between the two extremes I choose the one that lets me take care of myself and loved ones.
Absolutely...Capitalism and free enterprise is still a better system. We can work hard..earn more and ALLOCATE our earnings to what we value most.For someone it may be valuable to have a vacation in Maldives ...but for a son like you the priority is to get your father the best treatment. Capitalism is not perfect but at least it gives us a choice to spend our money on what we decide is valuable to us. Best wishes to you and your Dad.
Dear loving child .. much love you and your father. My father too had pc and passed at the early age of 71 from the heart .... I got APC at 53,I had a foley and an attached bag as well as bi-lateral neuphrostimy bags from my kidneys . It took adt and imrt a few months to rid me of the pc tumors blocking my urethra and bladder . It was a blessed day,that I got them all off of me . My wife’s love got me through that hell . It sucks to see anyone but specially our loved ones suffering this way . Just love and support him a lot . I too was beyond surgery . I pray he can get rid of the dreaded bag . If we don’t pee , we cant exist . Love is a reason to survive .. You have my prayers .🙏🙏🙏
At his age an enlarged prostate is expected. Your doctor does not explain why, so you (and we) have to guess. If it is simply an enlarged prostate that is blocking drainage from the bladder, we would try medications for that. A catheter plus a bag will lead to urinary infection and that could be fatal.
We are waiting for doctors' notice (sorry, can't remember the English term now). So notice where lab tests are available and his readings of the results. It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to get them. But he did had TURP procedure 4 years ago for enlarged prostate - this is when he was diagnosed with cancer. When we get results, we will go to his GP to discuss results (no, we do not have that chance with urologist, our next appointment is in 6 months, when he gets his next eligard shot). I will also ask her about catheter - I mean surely they should do some scanning to determine what is the reason for urine retention and if something else than permanent catheter can be done.
Make sure his "bag" which we call a "foley" is changed often and his penis is kept clean at all times. He may require a tube (stent) from his kidney to his bladder to drain his urine from his kidney automatically (through his urinary tract ). This tube (stent) is inserted through the penis and I've had many of them and they did NOT hurt. For men it sounds terrible but it's Not. He must take an antibiotic every time the stent is inserted or removed. <=== important
If Slovenia is somewhat like Albania..... I wish you all strength.....
Thank you for your advice. I don't know in person health system in Albania. From what I hear, I guess we are better off, but when it comes to health system we are far far behind developed EU countries like UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland. Just another world. Even though they keep telling us, that we can compare very good to them. Bullshit!
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