Prostate Cancer next instalment…

The memory of that first cystoscopy still remains with me.. Not just for the discomfort.
It came back to haunt me after I’d had the second biopsy that found the cancer.
Once they’d told me I had cancer I went through what I suppose most people do. What does it mean? What’s the prognosis? I got referred to Edinburgh for a consultation with the Consultant…If you get my drift
He seemed a bit keen on me seeing the surgeon, but I thought Brachytherapy was a better choice and we agreed on that. My only concern was having radio isotopes inside me for some time, and how this might impact on my daughter. I was assured it would be fine. But….  I needed a hernia repair, and the consultant told me that I had to have that done before the brachytherapy as they don’t allow the surgeons to be exposed to the isotopes… Yet it was no danger to me……
So I had a hernia repair. The surgeon was a young lass. When she interviewed me before the surgery she said “ Hello dear” [Dear. Dear me]. “Do you know what you’re in for today?” Me: “yeeeeessssss….. I’m having a hernia repair…..” She” That’s right dear.  That’s where your giblets have popped out and we’re going to pop them back in……” ME: “Really….. Giblets…..” She, for the first time looking at my face”":” Oh, a bit too patronising?  Sorry, It’s been a long day…” ME: “Well can you get me a surgeon who’s a bit fresher then please??????”
I didn’t get a fresher surgeon. But hernia done, I went back to the consultant to say, ‘hernia repaired, when can we go for the therapy???”
And that’s when the cystoscopy came back to haunt me. It turns out that procedure had revealed the presence of another “growth” and suddenly radio therapy was not looking a good option. Surgery was recommended…. How had no-one sussed this before? I was told they had a case review, and the surgeon had expressed concern.  I translated that as drumming up more business. Anyway, I was persuaded to have a radical prostatectomy and that would be scheduled after another CT scan, Scan duly arranged for 20th December 2013.
At Dumfries hospital. Scene of painful cystoscopy and patronising surgeon. So I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised when I rocked up on the due date, to be met by the consultant who had a big apology for me.
Someone hadn’t booked the Scanner for me.
My hopes of getting all this sorted in 2013 were then dashed. It took two months to get the next scan date.
I’ll do 2014 next.