Some news. Not good!

[alexblack13]

Pissing razor blades isn't fun but I suppose you can live with that in the knowledge that your course of anti-biotics will clear it up.
That is indeed top news.
Have I understood all of this correctly Alex?
Your Doctors have told you that you don't have Prostate cancer?

John

Hi John / Guys..

Yes it is cancer my friend. But the scans are done to find out if you have any secondaries. Has it moved or is it confined to the Gland? Happily my scans have shown that there is no movement. Very good news indeed as it makes treatment a lot easier with more options. Inc' surgery.

Waterworks wise. I am indeed pissing razor blades and not passing much Urine either! Sometimes in and out the loo every few min's & that is very uncomfortable!

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Pissing razor blades isn't fun but I suppose you can live with that in the knowledge that your course of anti-biotics will clear it up.
That is indeed top news.
Have I understood all of this correctly Alex?
Your Doctors have told you that you don't have Prostate cancer?

John

Hi John / Guys..

Yes it is cancer my friend. But the scans are done to find out if you have any secondaries. Has it moved or is it confined to the Gland? Happily my scans have shown that there is no movement. Very good news indeed as it makes treatment a lot easier with more options. Inc' surgery.

Waterworks wise. I am indeed pissing razor blades and not passing much Urine either! Sometimes in and out the loo every few min's & that is very uncomfortable!

Ah yes, now I understand what you're going through. I had a major pissing razor blade problem during & after radiotherapy. Your doctor should be able to prescribe medication that will help by opening up your "tubes"
You do indeed have my sympathy, when my pain was so bad I was pleased that my house is detached because my howling would have frightened the neighbours.
That is no joking so please lay off Ed!

Good luck Alex, it's not such a long road so grit your teeth.

John

[alexblack13]

Such great news Alex, too be honest I've been frightened to post as I had symptoms at Christmas and then looked at lotuselan.net for a spot of relief and saw your initial post.
I had an ultrasound and tests and the doctor is happy (only this morning) its just BPH so currently taking Tamsulosin (from the doctor) and also Saw Palmetto (from the internet ) It seems to be OK now. I do think the Saw Palmetto works. And ..... I'm not even 50 yet!
I cannot understand why us men don't have an ultra sound every few years (just like a woman's smear test) it was quick and relatively painless
All the best to everyone

Terry

Hi Terry.

Not much fun is it eh? Brilliant to hear you are in the clear though, so now just forget and get on with it,

I have over the years had a few times where I have had problems and ended up on antibios to clear things up. This time I thought it would be the same but no luck.. I would not worry too much at under 50. When you are over 60 I would advise having the checks you suggest.. Just in case.. That goes for everyone guys.. As Terry & Grumpy have said... Ask your Doc' to do the simple finger check . Easy, fast and painless & good for peace of mind.

Hi Again John,

Pain wise as yet it's not unbearble. It's the feeling of being bursting for a piss constantly. I had a much better night last nigh and was (only) up twice before my normal wake time of around seven (old habits etc) and I was passind decent amounts and the 'bursting' feeling went away straight afterwards as it should. So I got some sleep. The night before I was up every ten mins at least and getting no relief whatsoever... Now on the antibios again and I am sure things are improving...

Al' ......
Al' .....

[alexblack13]

Yes very funny indeed... I too laughed out loud.

Thanks.

Did I tell you (s) that my scans were all clear? Good new that!

Alex ....

[Famous Frank]

Alex, that is terrific news!!! Now what does that exactly mean when you say your scans came back clear? Does that mean it hasn't spread to other areas?

Frank

[alexblack13]

Yes Frank. As of that time no spreading and PC does not travel fast. (often not at all) So next meet is to discuss treatment options.... Then it's get on with life.

Carol and I are much happier. I just need now to kick out the E Coli infection of the urinary tract which is very painful and uncomfortable.. Getting there now though and back to getting out and about.

Feeling much better now and the help and encouragement from all you guys has made it much easier to get through the gloomy days.

We thank you all.

Alex (& Carol) ........

[Famous Frank]

Alex, that is great news. Now its about time we see a pic or two of you car. It's been a long time. What are you doing to it lately? And since you have the "Coveted fifth gear" does that also mean you have a 5 speed in your car?

Thank you for the wonderful update!

Frank

[alan d bell]

hi alex,
haven't looked at the forum for a while. however I called tim Wilkinson about the elan and found out that you are ill, hope all is now going well as I am sure it will, most people who have prostate cancer live long enough to die of something else so I am sure you will still be here in the distant future. tim suggested that you might find it stimulating and diverting to have a look at the car and to follow its progress to the finish ( probably in april ) and even write about it for the elan section of club lotus mag. please do not feel under any obligation to do so as we will understand if you do not feel up to it.
a brief summary of where we are now, engine. full fia app k spec 170 bhp ( with road usable cams ) is in, suspension on. exhaust attached, wiring and some plumbing to be done then painting and furniture. mike says you are always welcome at errol and wishes you a safe recovery..
if you feel like becoming involved in this please give me a call, 01592742967 and I shall arrange a visit to mike, as we are close by I can always pick you up. once again I must emphasise that you must really want to be involved there is absolutely no pressure and no obligation to write, if you would just like to have a look that is fine.
I cannot find my folder with my lotus contact numbers otherwise I would have called.
all the best, hope see you at glams if not before.
alan

[alexblack13]

Hi Guys.

Once again many many thanks for the kind messages of support. Nothing more yet to report other than I am feeling not bad at all. We seem to have the UTI under control now and using a mild antibio as a preventative. So all as of now is well.

Frank... yes the little Elan is now a 5 speeder. What a difference this makes to any distance work as it allows motorway cruising at a much more relaxed pace. 85 ish mph is at approx 3.3 k rpm now and doing 41mpg..

Happy days. The 4 speed box lives in my workshop and will stay with the car.

Hi Alan ... Yes trials and tribulations various for a while there and I now await my next meeting with the docs to decide where we go with treatment. I just want to get on with it now.

Carol and I are both very keen to get away again in our Motorhome which we bought (new) last spring. So as soon as we know what the timeline is / will be etc we will probably shoot off. We have a few plans... So I am not sure about the write up. I certainly will visit etc and if time permits, will give it a go..

Thanks for getting in touch and yes we will see you at Glamis if not before.

Alex..

[alexblack13]

Hi again guys.

An update... Still waiting for appointment with my consultant but today I phoned my specialist nurse who has been just fantastic with us.

Although my MRI scan showed no secondary movement of the Cancer it did show that the tumour had ''slightly'' broken through the gland on my right side This means they won't operate to remove it as they can't g'tee to get it all. So I am going to be treated with Hormone and Radiotherapy. This apparently is the most common treatment and has decent success rates. So here's hoping..

She said that is what my consultant will tell me, and I will then be handed over to Oncology. Appointment is imminent she said

Still no idea as to time scales etc so not able to plan anything as yet.

Alex.

[Galwaylotus]

You're still in the prayers,Alex.

[vernon.taylor]

I don't pray, but I'll renew my best wishes to you.

Bonne sant? et bon continuation.

Vernon

[alexblack13]

Thanks Vernon. And everyone for the nice messages and good wishes..

Onwards and upwards.. Treatment will be the very common Hormone & radiotherapy.. (big thanks for the great info GB)...

Relieved that I am not lined up for the surgery option...

Right now I am feeling not too bad. Still on antibios for UTI..

Al' ....

[alexblack13]

A wee update.......

Well into the hormone treatment and feeling quite ok. Not great but ok. I can live with that.

Had the 1st three monthly slow release hormone injection and next is due end of June. That's also when I will start the Radio therp' too. 5 days per week for 7.5 weeks. So all of July and August will be taken up with this treatment confining me to barracks so to speak. We hope to have a few weekends away to classic shows etc depending on how I am feeling so hoping for the best.

So all going according to plan.

Take care please folks.

Alex....

PS ... Dont forget to ask your GP to check you out every 6 months minimum... Please do this.

[trw99]

Glad it's going well for you Alex. Keep smiling

Tim