Prostate Problem

[Ken Shelmerdine]

You may have read in a previous post that the transplant build up tests I've been having have revealed a stage 2 prostate cancer. It was decided to do a one off treatment called brachytherapy where they put about 80 radioactive seeds in the gland which reduces the tumor to zero over a 12 month period and at this stage it is completely curable because it would not be in danger of spreading for 10 to 15 years. First of all I have to go and see the consultant which leads me to cock up no. 1.

I arrive at the cancer clinic and the receptionist can't see me on the appointment list. It turns out that the appointment should have been cancelled and re-arranged for the following Wednesday (6 Feb) and would have to stand because this particular consultant was not on duty today so couldn't see me. But that's not all. I spoke with his secretary and asked why he wanted to see me when it had been decided on the method of treatment and the next thing I expected was an appointment for the surgical procedure.

She said that following some new information from the transplant doctors he needed to discuss things further with me but she didn't know the details! WTF!!!!! They've already said that brachytherapy is the only option as radiotherapy could damage the peritoneal membrane, is he going to say brachytherapy is no longer an option? Jeez, talk about only giving half the information to scare  the  shit out of me! The day that I went was Monday last week so I'll have this hanging over me for 9 days. Maybe I'm worrying unduly but I'll find out Wednesday

On a more positive note, my home sister gave me the news that my adequacy test came out fantastic (2.8 For the test I also did a 24 hour pee sample which amounted to 3 LITRS! so no sign of losing residuary function yet

[Joe Paul]

Damn man, that sucks! I hate it when Doctors leave you hanging. I hope its nothing major, good luck 

[paris]

Ken, you definately don't need the added stress. Someone sure messed up the schedules and you are the one to pay for it!  I will worry right along beside you  you know I care and want this to all be done with. Maybe they will have good news for you---that is my hope.  Take care,Sir Ken

[KT0930]

Ken, Best of luck with everything. I'm sorry you have to have this hanging over you for another couple of days. We're here if you need to rant or stress.

[okarol]

  I hope you get the answers you need, and that the times passes quickly!

[Wattle]

I hope it all gets sorted quickly Ken   

Until then.....       Do a little dance for that 3 Litres! Yippeeee to still peeing!! 

[rose1999]

Oh Ken I am sorry to hear this, I know only too well how much stress this puts on people.  I hope today and tomorrow will go quickly and that you will hear only good news (if having brachytherpay can be called good news, but you know what I mean).  I will have my fingers firmly crossed for you.

Sending love and positive thoughts your way, please let us know how you get on.  Are you going to the Christie?  The staff there are brilliant.
Rose xx


By the way was I the only one to have a slight smile at your use of the term 'cock up'  when discussing your prostate - maybe my British schoolgirl sense of humour 

[Deanne]

I'm sorry for the delay! I hate waiting -- I thikn of it as a form of torture! I hope the unknown information is really some good news for you.

[Ken Shelmerdine]

Thanks for all your support it really is appreciated and Rose, yes the hospital is the Christie in Manchester. Their reputation is second to none but they didn't get off to a good start with me with this mix-up which I called a 'cock up', an unintended pun! Well I'll find out what the problem if any is tomorrow. Wish me luck.

[Sluff]

Sir Ken know that I am keeping a close eye on the Kingdom while you are tied up with all these appointments. I will keep you in my prayers and also that you get some better news. 

[rose1999]

Hi Ken,
Wishing you more luck than you can imagine.  Please let us know how you get on.  Obviously the booking system at the Christie failed you, but the staff are wonderful and if anything can be done to help you, you can rest assured that they will do it.  (Is the parking there still awful?!) .  Will be thinking about you all day

[Ken Shelmerdine]

Well I attended the appointment at Christie's this morning. The consultant said he wanted to tell me that the transplant people had written to him to say that I couldn't now go on the transplant list and they can only put me back on when I've been cancer free for 3 years which I already new but thought it was only two years. I'm not too concerned about that because as I've said before I have a lot of residual function which is showing no signs of slowing down and the main thing for me at this moment is to resolve the present problem. So I'm relieved that I can go ahead and have the surgery.

But then he hit me with a whammy out of the blue. Apparently 7% of patients who opt for this treatment can't have it done (I won't go into details it's too much information) lets just say some patients bone structure is too small and will obstruct the procedure. I won't know for certain until they do preliminary scans of the prostate which will be hopefully as soon as possible. We can't anything be bloody straightforward!

Still my problems are nothing compared to others on IHD. Susie for one (Goofynina) I've been thinking about her all day. I hope and pray that she pulls through this.

And Rose, Yes parking is still difficult at the Christie. I've been lucky the three times I've been because each time I've managed to take the space of someone just leaving in an otherwise full car park.

[xtrememoosetrax]

But then he hit me with a whammy out of the blue. Apparently 7% of patients who opt for this treatment can't have it done (I won't go into details it's too much information) lets just say some patients bone structure is too small and will obstruct the procedure. I won't know for certain until they do preliminary scans of the prostate which will be hopefully as soon as possible. We can't anything be bloody straightforward!

Straightforward . . . . Wouldn't that be lovely?   Actually, I hope that this does ultimately turn out to be straightforward for you, Ken, and that you will be part of the 93% of people who DON'T have issues with this procedure.  I know you'll keep us posted; we'll be thinking about you. 

[kitkatz]

Geez the complications that arise from so called simple procedures in the medical field. Good luck and God bless.

[rose1999]

I hope you get your preliminary scans done soon Ken and that they show you are suitable for this procedure.  If it's any help to know, we did once pay for Barry to have a scan as there was a 12 week waiting list (not for this procedure but a complete bone scan).  It cost about £120 and it was done at 4.30 p.m. the next day, worth it to save the worry but very annoying to know the same staff and same machine were being used as for NHS patients who had the 12 week wait.  This was at RSH but I'm sure all hospitals must offer 'private' scans.  That said I hope your wait is days not weeks as it's all an added worry for you.  Take care and please keep us posted.
 

[Romona]

 
Thinking of you Buddy!

[MyssAnne]

So when do you find out? Or rather, when DO they do the scan?  Darn it all. One more delay.  Did you explain you are royalty and
EXPECT to be treated with deference and due process? And that you have royalty with big sticks to beat them if they aren't
properly deferential???

Seriously Ken, I so hope and pray this procedure is workable for you, and that once the scan is done, everything is done as quickly as possible.

[paris]

Dear Sir Ken,   One more thing to wait for!  Waiting is the hardest part.   I KNOW you will be one who can have this type of treatment.  I want those doctors to hurry up and get started making you well.  It is hard to rule your kingdom when you have so much to deal with.  Sluff is doing pretty good at keeping us all in line, but I think he is really busy with snow and winter stuff.  In the meantime,Romona and I are doing some planning        You know I worry about you and want the best for you. I will say a few extra prayers today.

[Sluff]

 

[angela515]

Sorry your having to deal with all the waiting Ken.. I hope they do the scan ASAP and your one of the people who can get it done. I will be thinking of you. 

[Ken Shelmerdine]

Well it's good news, I had my pre-op scan yesterday and the prostate is not obstructed so they can go ahead with the brachytherapy.  I switched my computer on last night in the main to look for news about Goofynina. At that point there was none so I thought I'd post about this. Well I was so groggy from the after affects of the anaesthetic I was just typing garbage so I thought I'd leave it 'till today.

The surgery is now scheduled for March 10 but we'll have to get it changed because Rita can't get the time off work for that day.

[Sluff]

I'm so glad the scan revealed good news Ken..    I meant SIR KEN. 

[paris]

Ken,   I am so glad you can move forward.  I would have loved to see what you posted when you were groggy!   It was nice to read good news. I always keep you in my prayers

[rose1999]

Ken that's great news, hope you can get a suitable date that isn't too far away.  Is Rita 'Lady Ken'?  If so then I send her a big hug too as I know how hard it is to have a husband suffering with prostate cancer.   Very best wishes, please let us know how it goes, we will all be thinking about you. 
Rose xx

[Ken Shelmerdine]

Ken that's great news, hope you can get a suitable date that isn't too far away.  Is Rita 'Lady Ken'?  If so then I send her a big hug too as I know how hard it is to have a husband suffering with prostate cancer.   Very best wishes, please let us know how it goes, we will all be thinking about you. 
Rose xx

Yes Rita is my wife and soulmate. We've been married for 35 years and I don't no what I'd do without her. She stayed with me at the hospital all day from 7am. to 4.30 pm when they let me go home.