Prostate Cancer–my “journey” (I hate that expression)

The discovery that the original PSA test result hadn’t been followed up caused a flurry of activity.
But first a couple of other ironies. I’d just met a new friend who had to tell me they were suspected of cancer. As it turned out she was clear, and then I had to tell her I had cancer…
Because I was bored, I’d promised to do service on a lands End to John O’Groats charity bike ride. It was about a week before we set off that the lead cyclist said to me “It’s very strange how everyone seems to be succumbing to cancer or some other life-threatening thing.  She was a bit taken aback when I said “Well I’ve just been told I’ve joined the club..” But that was the best two weeks I had in 2013. I felt really connected with the fund-raising.
Anyway. I was scheduled for a biopsy, a cystoscopy, a bone scan and a CT scan. All new territory to me. The following is a tad out of order..
The bone scan was hilarious.  It was like a ‘50’s cartoon where the hero would walk behind a screen and the bones would appear.  Yes it took a bit longer in real life but I was in stitches. The nurses gave ne a huge row whilst holding back their own laughs! I asked if the radiation was potentially harmful to my young daughter and they said “no, but don’t spend too much time too close”….?????? I said “good as we’re off to Alton Towers soon”.  That caused some apoplexy, and I ended up leaving with a letter which basically said “If your alarms go off or your machinery is affected as this idiot passes by, he’s not a terrorist, he’s full of radio-isotopes.  Very comforting. As it happened we got stuck on top of the brand-new ride at Alton Towers for over an hour.  I never showed them the letter….
The first CT scan was of course a breeze.
The biopsy was unpleasant. The nurse who did it (who I know, and believe me it creates some social awkwardness when you meet someone who’s been poking about in your bum at the local cafe and pubs after) told me I “would not have cancer, no worries” And the first biopsy was clear.
The cystoscopy was appalling. The “doctor” was unpleasant and dis-respectful.  It was the most painful experience I had ever had. (When I complained later I was told “it just depends who does it”. I was not impressed. However it was the cystoscopy that threw up the complications.
But more of that next time….