AFF Cancer Survivors Thread

[Happy Trails]

My catheter comes out next Tuesday.

Brace yourself.
Eight years on and I can still feel that catheter being withdrawn.

 

[JohnK]

That’s one reason I’m happy to air my experience freely - and to interact directly with any guys out there who may be facing decisions on the issue.

Sorry to hear JohnM and thanks for sharing. Hope all goes well.

 

[JohnM]

Brace yourself.
Eight years on and I can still feel that catheter being withdrawn.

A colleague of mine had a 'rebore' for benign prostatic hyperplasia (ie. swollen prostate) and he said the catheter coming out was excruciatingly painful. However, the continence nurse told me that they use a much thicker catheter for that and said I won't feel much at all. Time will tell....

 

[drross]

Why waste time with a biopsy. Get the spot removed

 

[Pushka]

Why waste time with a biopsy. Get the spot removed

Maybe there’s a reason they don’t want to do a full excision just yet? Scarring location etc?

 

[TheRealTMA]

Maybe there’s a reason they don’t want to do a full excision just yet? Scarring location etc?

Biopsy results take only a few days now so get results then follow up with some sense of urgency. Better sore than sorry.

 

[blackcat20]

Maybe there’s a reason they don’t want to do a full excision just yet? Scarring location etc?

Its on my rather bony shoulder, so I'd rather not have it cut out unless I have to.

 

[VPS]

Its on my rather bony shoulder, so I'd rather not have it cut out unless I have to.

As a melanoma survivor I think three months is too long to wait

 

[Pushka]

As a melanoma survivor I think three months is too long to wait

But melanoma diagnosis post excision would most likely result in a repeat surgery anyway to get a greater margin. In some places (mine was back of ankle) had I received a poor diagnosis then proper excision would then have required skin graft which if necessary would have happened but not as a first pre empt. The plastic surgeon was quite convinced it was bad but due to graft issues he started with biopsy. Thankfully much to his surprise it was fine. So I wasn’t left with a scar.

 

[blackcat20]

As a melanoma survivor I think three months is too long to wait

I don't disagree .It hasn't actually been much more than a month and I'll be booking myself in sometime in the next week or so.

 

[TheRealTMA]

OK, QF WP.

I had my prostate removed on Tuesday afternoon and came home yesterday morning.

...

Must be something in the wine, JohnM. Had my 2nd biopsy in 4 years last Tuesday. I’m actively surveillancing my wine cellar.

Best of luck with it, John.

 

[VPS]

But melanoma diagnosis post excision would most likely result in a repeat surgery anyway to get a greater margin. In some places (mine was back of ankle) has I received a poor diagnosis then proper excision would then have required skin graft which if necessary would have happened but not as a first pre empt. The plastic surgeon was quite convinced it was bad but due to graft issues he started with biopsy. Thankfully much to his surprise it was fine. So I wasn’t left with a scar.

My scar came from about 250 stitches - still looks impressive - 40 years this year (maybe an excuse for a holiday)

 

[blackcat20]

If it does get chopped out I can add the scar to my collection; I already have one on my finger and one on my wrist courtesy of a bone graft to repair damage from a bone tumour in my finger. And another along my groin line to remove a non-cancerous lump. Scars arent something that bother me.

 

[Pushka]

My scar came from about 250 stitches - still looks impressive - 40 years this year (maybe an excuse for a holiday)

Totally. Where are you going?

 

[TheRealTMA]

If it does get chopped out I can add the scar to my collection; I already have one on my finger and one on my wrist courtesy of a bone graft to repair damage from a bone tumour in my finger. And another along my groin line to remove a non-cancerous lump. Scars arent something that bother me.

What are you waiting for then?

 

[TheRealTMA]

My scar came from about 250 stitches - still looks impressive - 40 years this year (maybe an excuse for a holiday)

You NEED an excuse after that 40 years ago? Sheesh!

 

[JohnM]

Thanks for sharing JohnM.

We had a friend a few years ago go through the exact same process as you did - careful monitoring then finally robotic surgery. He is fully fit and well although I haven’t explored other aspects as they are very private people.

After surgery he felt well, and looked much better than pre surgery, but regular blood monitoring suggested he needed further surgery. The surgeon noted however that all his patients showed rising blood levels which as a surgeon concerned him. Friend sold his business and house as it looked very grim. The surgeon probed further into the blood laboratory. Turned out their levels were wrong and that further testing showed no one was at further current risk. There is currently I believe a class action in place.

Gah it’s paywalled.
Nocookies

Thanks, Pushka. I subscribe to The Australian, so can see it - and I do vaguely recall it from when it happened. It puzzles me why the Government path lab would be doing PSA tests. Another SA oddity?

 

[rogerkambah]

Last scan in mid December showed that I currently appear to be cancer free.

 

[Pushka]

Thanks, Pushka. I subscribe to The Australian, so can see it - and I do vaguely recall it from when it happened. It puzzles me why the Government path lab would be doing PSA tests. Another SA oddity?

Probably. Yes they do the full range. As a RAH patient that’s where those tests are done. There are private labels also when not in hospital or you can use the Govt labs also.

 

[VPS]

Totally. Where are you going?

So many possibilities. Get through this contract and get back to a cooler Adelaide and start planning