Prostate Cancer

[TheVTCGuy]

Dave, I understand that you are in the hospital, I hope and pray you are receiving excellent palliative care and are pain free and clear. I hope you get to go home and spend a lot of time with your family and friends. PLEASE, keep us informed as best you can. I think I can speak for everyone on TRF when I say you are in our thoughts and prayers and we want to hear how you are doing. I am hoping you set a record for palliative (pain free) care, like another 20 years or so

[mannyv11]

Dave, I don't know what to say. I have been coming back to this thread since the day you posted it just trying to think of anything to write. I've always enjoyed your posts and just general outlook and I am truly sorry you and your family are going through this. I truly wish nothing but the best for you and your family.

[AK797]

So very to hear this Dave. I've not been in the best of health this year and not been posting much so did not see this thread earlier. My prayers and thoughts are with you, hope you have the best care for as long as possible.

[emtee]

Hey Dave, we’ve never interacted but I just wanted you to know that I have been reading your posts over the last how ever many years and you seem like such a lovely guy. Even though we don’t know each other I am genuinely saddened to hear what you’re going through. I wish you all the best my man.

[daveathall]

I say these things not for any sympathy, good humour is better for me.

I say them because if just one spark of what I type resonates enough to encourage a member to get his PSA checked then it is worth it.

It was a bad night in hospital last night, the morphine seems to wear off more quickly, the pain was horrendous, I soiled myself, even through the pain, I knew how depreciating it was. I had subk to a new low, others on the ward I had woken with my cries of anguish knew what had happened. They had maybe done the same. The oh so calm nurses treating me so kindly as they cleaned me up and changed the bed, the smell must have been awful. Please do everything you can to stop this happening to you. I have a consultation with a spine specialist this morning to see if any surgery will help.

I'm no hero, the pain beat me hands down, I begged it to stop.

I write for no sympathy or even acknowledgement just to explain what happens, if you don't mind, I will carry on as things happen.

[White Collar Boy]

You poor bugger Dave. That sounds so awful. I got my PSA checked the other month and will every year. I hope they can sort out the pain.

[Jerswatches]

Be strong, pain is of the mind.

[Speedbird-1]

Hey Dave, we're thinking of you mate.
You said, humour is better for you...we hope it is and that it doesn't hurt when you laugh.
So...


An extremely shy and very modest man was in the hospital for a series of tests, the last of which had left his digestive system upset.

Upon making several false-alarm trips to the bathroom, he decided that the latest was another false alarm, so he stayed put in his bed.

He suddenly filled his bed with diarrhea and was embarrassed beyond his ability to remain rational.

Losing his presence of mind, he jumped up, gathered up the bed sheets, and threw them out the hospital window.

A drunk was walking by the hospital when the sheets landed on him.

He started yelling, cursing, and swinging his arms wildly, which left the soiled sheets in a tangled pile at his feet.

As the drunk stood there staring down at the sheets, a security guard who had watched the whole incident walked up and asked, "What was that all about?"

Still staring down at his feet, the drunk replied: "I think I just beat the crap out of a ghost!"

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I say these things not for any sympathy, good humour is better for me.

I say them because if just one spark of what I type resonates enough to encourage a member to get his PSA checked then it is worth it.

It was a bad night in hospital last night, the morphine seems to wear off more quickly, the pain was horrendous, I soiled myself, even through the pain, I knew how depreciating it was. I had subk to a new low, others on the ward I had woken with my cries of anguish knew what had happened. They had maybe done the same. The oh so calm nurses treating me so kindly as they cleaned me up and changed the bed, the smell must have been awful. Please do everything you can to stop this happening to you. I have a consultation with a spine specialist this morning to see if any surgery will help.

I'm no hero, the pain beat me hands down, I begged it to stop.

I write for no sympathy or even acknowledgement just to explain what happens, if you don't mind, I will carry on as things happen.

Dave,

Reading this has my eyes welling up. If I could take on any of your pain I'd gladly do it but not at all to the brave degree you have. It's amazing how quickly our vanity fades when faced w/ circumstances like this. Hoping those wonderful thoughtful nurses & doctors provide you w/ the relief & care you so richly deserve.
dP

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Dave,

Reading this has my eyes welling up. If I could take on any of your pain I'd gladly do it but not at all to the brave degree you have. It's amazing how quickly our vanity fades when faced w/ circumstances like this. Hoping those wonderful thoughtful nurses & doctors provide you w/ the relief & care you so richly deserve.
dP

Agree with all you have said here Dan.
In my experience Nurses really are angels.

[joeychitwood]

I’m so sorry Dave. It’s very difficult to feel so dependent on others after a lifetime of taking care of yourself, your family and your country.

Sound like you could use a PCA (patient controlled analgesia) pump to deliver constant pain meds as you need them.

[Atone]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

Dave you truly are one of the best people on TRF, I enjoy your insight and smile at many of your posts. I wish upon you and your family peace, calm, and strength.

I can’t say it better than this. Your posts are always kind, thoughtful and considerate. Wishing you all the comfort possible. I’m very sorry to hear this news.

[KatGirl]

I am so sorry to hear this. I feel for you and your family. I spent many years of my nursing career, in Oncology, so can more than relate. Please ask for what you need, and accept help when offered. May God bless and keep you and your family. Also, if there is a grail you’re chasing, get it!

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ts3]

Dave, very sorry after your most recent update after having followed this and your earlier "ring the bell" thread.

Not much I can add to what others who are more eloquent in these matters have said already. Just this, when a mate of mine came down with cancer with a prognosis of just months, he started to live according to "what was best for him on any given day", and, unlike before, worried not so much about the rest of us. As we visited him when he was in palliative care he had to be artificially fed and matters looked grim. Yet he got out of the hospital again and we had a blast going on our regular island-hopping flying trip to the North Sea and a road trip to Switzerland earlier.

In the end he had nearly 4 years rather than just months left and he had clearly made the most of it.

Hoping that there will be some slightly better days for you ahead!

[daveathall]

I may have given slightly the wring impression, I had become bunged up due to the level of pain killers I had been given, so I was given laxatives to clear me out, these things seem to happen all at once, last night was that time. I haven't lost my bodily functions but goodness me, it sure felt like it.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I may have given slightly the wring impression, I had become bunged up due to the level of pain killers I had been given, so I was given laxatives to clear me out, these things seem to happen all at once, last night was that time. I haven't lost my bodily functions but goodness me, it sure felt like it.

The only impression you've given is one tough soldier. Wish so badly we could lighten your burden.
d

[East Bay Rider]

Gutwrenching

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I may have given slightly the wring impression, I had become bunged up due to the level of pain killers I had been given, so I was given laxatives to clear me out, these things seem to happen all at once, last night was that time. I haven't lost my bodily functions but goodness me, it sure felt like it.

.

Same happened to me, probably the pain killers and not getting enough hydration via the feeding tube. Horrible, painful constipation followed by, well, you know what. Usually happened when I was at my desk working, fortunately at home, with little or no warning.

Your situation is very different than mine was, my pain was in my mouth and throat (I was mobile), but forcing myself to be over hydrated helped with the constipation part. Do you have Pedialite over there? That stuff is excellent for hydration, get a flavored version, the plain is miserable to swallow.

I you get past this soon. Just know it happens to everyone, no one understands that more than your nurses. Hang in there, wish I could do more, but hopefully this helps a little.

[dba]

Thank you for being a Yorkshireman, though you probably had no choice in the matter; your posts are always insightful and enjoyable, and carried that indomitable spirit.

I'm wishing you and your loved ones all the best, and peace to you as you make this journey.

[BLACKHORSE 6]

I’m sorry. Hope you get some relief, and that surgery is an option if it alleviates some of the pain.

[Speedbird-1]

Hi Dave, hope you've had a better day.

[JasoninDenver]

Mate, I will lift a pint in you honor this weekend and send my best wishes across the seas.

Would you care to suggest a widely available proper Yorkshire beer? Be careful as you know the joke about American beer and sex in a canoe.

If anyone else would like to join in, please do so.

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Mate, I will lift a pint in you honor this weekend and send my best wishes across the seas.

Would you care to suggest a widely available proper Yorkshire beer? Be careful as you know the joke about American beer and sex in a canoe.

If anyone else would like to join in, please do so.

I’m in.


Sent from my Apple privacy invasion product

[White Collar Boy]

Me too.

Apropos nothing, here’s a Steven Wright joke I like:

I got on an elevator and this old guy got on with me, and I was over by the buttons. I pushed number four and asked him, “Where are you going?’

He said, ‘Phoenix.’

So I pushed Phoenix. Doors opened and two tumbleweeds blew on. We stepped off and we were in downtown Phoenix. I said, ‘You know, you’re the kinda guy I’d really like to hang around with.’

He said, ‘I’m going out to the desert. You wanna go?’ I said sure, so we hopped in his car and started driving out to the desert. He told me he spent most of his life working on a research project for the government trying to figure out who financed the pyramids. He worked on it for thirty years and they paid him an incredible amount of money. He told me he was pretty sure it was a guy named Eddie.

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

I’m in.


Sent from my Apple privacy invasion product

We two, too.

[m j b]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I thought I would start a new thread to update after my earlier post of "I rang the bell today".
<<<snip>>>
This illness kills more men than any other, please, please, please, check your PSA every chance you get.

Dave, first of all, my thoughts and best wishes go out to you and your family.

Secondly, my primary doctor says that since I have no risk factors, family history, etc. he doesn't see the need for a PSA annually. I replied, fine, do it anyway. Fortunately here in the USA if you have good insurance, you can get good healthcare... most of the time. But sometimes you have to be pushy and oftentimes (IMHO) you have to remember that medical professionals make mistakes and may have different priorities. This mini-rant is not directed at you Dave, but at all the guys reading this who don't want to go to the doctor or won't push back when they get bad advice. Sure, a PSA can have false positives which can lead to unnecessary biopsies and whatnot, but far too many of my friends and coworkers have suffered through this disease. I will add that many of them have their disease found by a digital rectal exam. No one enjoys that, but it's another necessary evil I'm afraid.

I don't have any real words of comfort other than to remind you that all of your virtual friends here wish you the best, and I hope you can find some medications that can relieve some of your pain.

[Calatrava r]

So sorry to hear. My best to you for strength and recovery.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I say these things not for any sympathy, good humour is better for me.

I say them because if just one spark of what I type resonates enough to encourage a member to get his PSA checked then it is worth it.

It was a bad night in hospital last night, the morphine seems to wear off more quickly, the pain was horrendous, I soiled myself, even through the pain, I knew how depreciating it was. I had subk to a new low, others on the ward I had woken with my cries of anguish knew what had happened. They had maybe done the same. The oh so calm nurses treating me so kindly as they cleaned me up and changed the bed, the smell must have been awful. Please do everything you can to stop this happening to you. I have a consultation with a spine specialist this morning to see if any surgery will help.

I'm no hero, the pain beat me hands down, I begged it to stop.

I write for no sympathy or even acknowledgement just to explain what happens, if you don't mind, I will carry on as things happen.

No matter what you do there will be those who will never listen, but i have to imagine this sort of thing has had to be very helpful for some us, so thank you.

Been thinking about you, still praying and here’s to your doctors finding something that works for you.

[SDGT3]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I say these things not for any sympathy, good humour is better for me.

I say them because if just one spark of what I type resonates enough to encourage a member to get his PSA checked then it is worth it.

It was a bad night in hospital last night, the morphine seems to wear off more quickly, the pain was horrendous, I soiled myself, even through the pain, I knew how depreciating it was. I had subk to a new low, others on the ward I had woken with my cries of anguish knew what had happened. They had maybe done the same. The oh so calm nurses treating me so kindly as they cleaned me up and changed the bed, the smell must have been awful. Please do everything you can to stop this happening to you. I have a consultation with a spine specialist this morning to see if any surgery will help.

I'm no hero, the pain beat me hands down, I begged it to stop.

I write for no sympathy or even acknowledgement just to explain what happens, if you don't mind, I will carry on as things happen.

Dave, if you're reading this, please know we're all praying for you and can't imagine the pain you're going through. I've never known anyone in the position you are but able to write what you're going through in real time. It's cathartic to read your posts, which include such clarity and detail, that it's hardly comprehensible to imagine you're ability to type your thoughts in such a condition. A person in your position must think that the silly things we are posting about such as "gentrification" and other things are such nonsense in the big picture of life.

I've thought about sending you a PM, but I'm certain you're too busy with treatments to respond. Please continue to post as long as you feel up to it. I'm really at a loss for words at this moment.

As an aside, I've had the PSA along with a colonoscopy a few months ago with clear results.

[Dr. Robert]

Maximum good vibes being sent