December 2009: Crazy Gang Day Out?

Hi Folks,

As you know, some of the B2PCa cazy gang have have met up in December for lunch in London for the past few years.
This year we reckon it's time to move the venue further up the country....this time to Birmingham, (Eventually we will trap you all in the Grim North East, or even more scary - Scotland!!

Grant is away for all of October, so this year the planning will be down to Mike (who lives near Birmingham) and myself.

If anyone is interested in a day out there in the week commencing Mon 14 December, please let us know on here, or mail me at georgehardy51@msn.com.


Cheeeeeeeeeeers


George

Friday: Stoopid Ass

G'day good peeps

Just call me 'ASS MAN' ....NO!... not like Sir(Mr Brighton Marina) Phil, but I feely really stupid this morning.

2004 photo when I was assistant manager of a crazy room (Pre-PCa)

After seeing two consecutive PSA rises, I was getting a bit worried.
Now I find they were self-inflicted.

Since mid July I had been taking meds known as SNRIs, similar to SSRIs to combat depression which had lasted over a year.

I was starting to feel back on form again, but now I have only just discovered that both SNRIs and SNRIs can cause prostate problems.
There was no warning of that on the leaflets with the meds.

It was only after hours of searching all the medical sites yesterday that I learned the truth. They can cause enlargement of the prostate, rises in PSA level, and all those peeing problems such as urgency and frequency that we have all faced, specially at the start of our journey.

I have to admit, the return of all those symptoms had me fearing the worst.
I'm now hoping I can reverse the progress of the PSA after stopping the meds, and maybe taking something for BPH which will return peeing function to normal. I see my oncologist this coming Tuesday so I'll have a better idea then.

So, please please please....never take any new medication until you are satisfied you have researched every aspect of the drug first. You just cannot trust the leaflet that comes with any medication.

Duh! Who's a stoopid ole bugger??

Oh well, Have a Grrrrrrrrreat day - and don't go and do anything silly, lol

Thursday: Watch da birdie!

G'day Folks. How's it hanging?

Well, I had that PSA test result this morning and it's climbed again. Boo bloody hoo!

It's still in a good range for my age (58) at 2.35ng, and I do have a working prostate and normal testosterone levels again (tomorrow marks 2 full years with no cancer meds at all).

But it has gone up in stages this year, which hasn't happened in the previous year.

Ah well, I see my onco on the 29th and I reckon it will be 'Watch da birdie' time for a few more months,

Gotta hold my hands up re PSA results.

Hi Folks,,,an update re my PSA results,,, after a promising drop since starting the dr red Bluberry brew,,if you remember it dropped  from 18.4 to 15.9 then 15,,,four weeks later it shot up to 20.6.....................BUT!..........

I commited what is aparently a cardinal sin (According to Dr George and other learned folk,,Yeah right LOL)..in as much as 9 hours prior to the PSA test Philip and a lady that shall remain nameless(Hilary)had errrrrrrrr a sexual encounter if you get my drift?

Much to my embarassement,I had to explain and have a retest 7 days later on Wednesday last when it had dropped to 18.7 but will only get a "sensible"reading in four weeks.

And yes Rob I am also having a testosterone test!!LMAO!

Yeah OK go on and laugh,,,I did!

Cheers

 

 

TV PCa DOCUMENTARY - Aug 17th

'I Can't Believe I'm Telling You This' (documentary‏)

Dear Friends,

You may remember that a number of our members on this site took part in a documentary called ‘I can’t believe I’m telling you this’ in 2007/2008. It is to be shown soon on The Community Channel on Sky, Virgin and Freeview

You’ll be able at last to put faces to a lot of regular posters here, a few of them now sadly gone from our midst.

Bill Bloom from the Media Trust has kindly passed on this information:

We're broadcasting the film on 17 August, and I obviously wanted to let you know.

This film is one of many we're broadcasting with the aim of informing people how important it is to spot the signs and symptoms of cancer early, and in turn how important it is to seek early diagnosis and treatment. 

Sky 539 • Virgin TV 233 • Freeview 87

Media Trust

Riverwalk House

157-161 Millbank

London

SW1P 4RR

ABOUT MEDIA TRUST

We harness the skills, resources and creativity of the media industry to help voluntary organisations and charities make a difference to people’s lives.

 

Very Best Wishes,

George

Phil's PSA Update July 09 (AND something to ponder?)

Hi Folks,,,Just an update  re my PSA since my chemo was deferred in April when my PSA was 12.9 and possibly something else to ponder,,,,,

Unfortunately 4 weeks later May 19th my PSA had jumped to 18.4 from 12.9...so chemo on the cards again,,,,HOWEVER,,I had seen an article in the Mail and on TV about a new Anti Oxidant Blueberry rich drink with additives being tested in Oz, that when given to mice with PCa had reduced theire tumours within the space of two weeks............................Tests on guys with advanced PCa such as myself, taking this drink had also brought down their PSAs with some great effect.

I tracked down the manufacturers in Sydney who gave me their supplier in UK,,I ordered half a dozen bottles that come in a wine size bottle and is diluted before taking and makes approx thirty measures.

One week after the 18.4 PSA reading and I presume still rising I started taking the not unpleasant drink as prescribed,,,,,

Four weeks after starting the potion my PSA had DROPPED to 15.9 after previously rising successively for six months.

Obviously encouraged I continued and had another PSA test three weeks later ready for my Onco appointment 20th July,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,DROPPED again in just three weeks to 15.0.

Overall PSA drop in 7 weeks since starting the brew 3.4..(Minimum, as I went a week beyond the 18.4 reading when my PSA was still rising before starting the Blueberry potion).......

My Onco apart from rolling his eyes when I mentioned"Reading the Mail article"etc and treating myself with it could not deny the results!

He grudgingly agreed that I should continue with the Anti Oxidant drink in conjunction with HIS daily Diethystilbestrol (AND George's Saw Palmetto and Soy Isoflavones!LOL)................

I believe without the intervention of my Sydney produced Bluberry anti oxidant brew I would already be on my second round of chemo.

I will be monitoring my PSA four weekly and unless there is  a sudden upward surge do not have to see my Onco again for three months.

Food for thought maybe?,,I will keep you posted and be your guinea pig in this trial!!!LOL)

Cheers

Phil

 

 

 

Maggy and Brian

Dear All,

Here's a note from Maggy, which I'm sure she wants you to see:

Thanks George, He was my world, and still is. I keep thinking he's going to walk through the door- screwdriver in hand!

Bri's prostate cancer had been treated and all was well in that department, but 2-3 weeks ago he started with hypercalcaemia and they found cancer (oesophageal as it turned out) in his stomach, liver, lungs, ribs and spine as well as his oesophagus. It feels as though whilst we were watching the pussy cat (albeit rather a wild one), a bloody tiger slipped in unnoticed.

We walked into hospital last Tuesday for his Zometa infusion, then again on Wednesday for some i/v fluids. He only started to go really downhill last Thursday, we brought him home on Friday and I nursed him at home until he died on Monday afternoon. It was a comfort to be told by the district nurses though that I made a good nurse over his last few days.

It's all happened far too quickly- last week they were still talking about palliative chemo and him having months/years ahead depending on his response to it. I suppose I just wasn't ready- but then again I don't think I ever would have been x

I have attached some photos, and am more than happy for you to tell the others- if only to remind them that they have a whole body, not just a prostate...and not to let the medics forget that either.

Will be in touch again soon.

Thanks for the hug- much needed and very appreciated.

Maggy x

 

It truly makes you wonder doesn't it?

 

There is a new photo album here on B2PCa with pictures of Brian, Maggy and family. Please take a look.

 

...and Maggy? Thank you!

Mike Gillott: A fond farewell to a very special guy

Dear All,

A lot of you will have met Mike Gillott (from Nottingham) at our functions in Leicester and Chesterfield. I am very deeply saddened to have to tell you all that Mike lost his fight on Tuesday night, 12th May.

Joanna Rigby, his beautiful daughter, and a ferocious fighter for her beloved dad's cause, told me the sad news yesterday.

He was a wonderful man, one of the bravest, who never once complained.

His wife Brenda, son Andrew, and Joanna are in a state of shock today. Let us all bear them in our thoughts and prayers.

 

Mike, his wife Brenda and son Andrew at Chesterfield with us last year.

 

 

Mike, father of the bride (Joanna)

 

God Bless You Mike

REST IN PEACE

Chemo deferrred.

Finally got to see "Sir" Oncologist yesterday...PSA now up to 13,was 12.4 four weeks ago,(6.4 when I finished last chemo course)  and as he says it ain't rocketing up and has decided  to leave it for three months before more chemo if it continues to rise,,,, for my own peace of mind I will have another PSA in four to six weeks just in case it does rocket.

Hey as long as I'm feeling good!

I had fully expected to start chemo on Friday and feel I have had a reprieve! LOL,although I will be prepared in three months.,,I asked about increasing my current Diethystilbestrol dose  I'm on,, but I'm on max and any further increase can cause clotting...

Cheers.