Over a year ago, I had a UTI (urinary tract infection) that required me to undertake a course of anti-biotics. My doctor felt that there might be an underlying cause that was related to my prostate cancer and referred me to the local hospital's urology department.
I was seen by the consultant urologist and as a result I had a flexible cystoscopy which showed that there were tiny nodules in my urinary tract and he felt that these could 'trap' the bacteria that can cause UTIs. I was therefore booked in to have them removed, and in early January I went to Blackheath Hospital for the procedure. However, the anaesthetist was unhappy that the hospital did not have an onsite ICU (Intensive Care Unit) or HDU (High Dependency Unit) and cancelled the operation minutes before I was due to go to theatre.
I have been waiting ever since to have the operation, and underwent a pre-op assessment in May ... but then heard nothing. This 'expired' a few weeks back, and I had another assessment earlier this month. This was followed up by an appointment to go to University Hospital Lewisham for the operation today.
So why am I not in hospital today?
The answer is simple; I came down with a heavy cold earlier this week and the anaesthetist thought that it would be foolhardy for me to be anaesthetised. I have been told that the operation should be rearranged for a date within the next month but I have yet to know when.
I have written this very personal blog post becuase Blogger's statistics indicate that the majority of my regular blog readers are males who fall into the age group who are most likely to suffer from prostate cancer. I am sure that the majority of them are already being screened for this cancer as it is the most common one that afflicts men. However, there may be some who haven't been screened, and to them I direct the following thought:
'DONT THINK ABOUT IT! GET YOU PROSTATE SCREENED! IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!'
I left my first test a bit too long, and ended up having to have chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I now have prostate cancer that will be with me for the rest of my life ... but thanks to my regular treatment, I'll die with the cancer and not from it!
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