Life– Terror. Ecstasy. Fight. Denial. Flight. Failure. PAIN. Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Hope. Love. Peace – Death
Sick Note Me – Medical Update
Advanced Prostate Cancer – Advanced to Lungs/other organs (Awaiting Further Scans to inform new treatment plan moving forward).
Chronic Diabetes – Diabetic Neuropathy- Feet/legs
Chronic Psoriasis/Eczema – Biweekly Immunosuppressant Injections
Coronary Artery Disease – Mild Mitral Valve Stenosis/Mitral Valve Annulus Calcification (Awaiting Stress Echocardiogram to inform treatment moving forward – stents/valve replacement)
Coming literally, right off the back, of a recent Heart Disease diagnosis, for the past six weeks or so, I have been struggling with additional, yet to be diagnosed, symptoms. Pain and discomfort in and around my abdomen/stomach especially prevalent at night-time, when trying to sleep. So far this has only been investigated by my GP although, I have mentioned these new symptoms (whenever I have had any opportunity to that is), to four of my current, seven consultants, (clinics).
All Roads Lead to Rome?
Based upon latest symptoms, consensus, alludes to kidney issues? Urinary tract infection/kidney infection/kidney disease/kidney failure? Based upon the amount of, long term, potentially kidney damaging, medications I have continuously and continue to take, kidney problems seems a safe bet? Numerous urine & blood tests suggest not?
Fantastic news. But if not ‘K’s, what is it?
I have multiple condition’s all with their own symptoms, all treated by, numerous, medications that all have their own side-effects. I am used to constant feelings of uncomfortableness. Some amount of constant pain is normal for me.
This recent pain has increased, consistently and significantly for the past 4-6 weeks and continues to do so. The area of discomfort & pain has also shifted. As it becomes more pronounced, it now seems to be focused within my front, lower, left side (lung/lower ribcage). Past two days the pain has increased significantly, from a constant dull ache to, sharp, stabbing pains. At times, severely debilitating, knee buckling, shocking pain.
[To me], this is, [most likely], related to my prostate cancer as it has now spread to my left lung. A recent PET scan has confirmed this is not a new, primary, cancer (as was initially, suspected). This latest 11mm tumour is definitely, a secondary, prostate cancer, metastasised to my lung.
A recent PSMA PET Scan (18/11/24) and a further CT scan scheduled for 17/12/24 will assess the scope of further metastases (spread) to other locations outside of the lung as this will inform treatment moving forward. If metastases is confined to lung only? Focused (SABR) Radiation Therapy to blast the little fucker! My choice, as if you can see it fuck it off? Plus, I have, successfully, already undergone SABR Therapy on two previous occasions to zap tumours in, pelvic bed, lymph nodes. If Scans reveal traces of (prostate) cancer in other organs/areas treatment will, more likely, be systemic treatments i.e., blanket Radiation Therapy, Hormone Therapy, Chemo Therapy.
The wheels Turn Slowly – 14 years of deliberate decline – The NHS is broken
Due to cancellations, some of my scans were brought forward. However, as post scan results consultations are pre-scheduled around original scan dates, I am in limbo, chasing results, playing catch-up. Nothing can be altered due to current high demand throughout the NHS, so I just have to wait my turn but, at least, I do have a schedule.
My GP is trying his best to diagnose my latest shit. He is also waiting to see my PSMA PET scans report? To access this he has to write to my oncologist, the health professional who “requested” those scans, who owns these scans, Dr Eswar who is based at Clatterbridge Hospital Trust (the Wirral). My GP is based in Liverpool, a different health authority. A frustrating, two weeks of inactivity, from now to mid December, followed by a frantic two weeks of more scans & tests during the last two weeks of December.
I hope I can last that long without a trip to A&E? In an ideal world, I will have a more complete overview of everything a day or two before Christmas.
23rd December 2015 my GP, Dr Brooks, “Mr Reynolds, you have Prostate Cancer”. 17th March 2016, post, radical proctectomy, surgery, this was confirmed as advanced, metastatic, prostate cancer, no cure. In that moment, 23rd December 2015, if Dr Brooks had offered me, told me, there and then, I would have ten years? I would have bit his hand off? COVID hurt everyone especially those more vulnerable? Then, I was given a 50% chance of a five year survival and a 3% chance of surviving Ten years.
23rd December 2024 will be my 9 year prostate cancer survival anniversary.
I have lived (not died) for, so much, of these past nine years. I have been loved so much these past nine years? I [now] have three fucking amazing, grandsons something that, nine years ago did not seem possible? I never even dared believe, dare to hope, I would ever have grandchildren and, super bonus, another on the way!
Life is good.
Life is for living…..
and Carlo Ancelotti is a fucking Blue!
#UTFT
Thanks for reading
#peace
Dying to Live 