Men hate going to the doctors as it’s always “oh it’s nothing I I will it for a week and see if it’s the same and if it is I will call the doctor”. In the end most never make that call, much to their detriment.
I am going to share my personal experience with anyone who cares to carry on reading as I feel it is important to send out a strong message to men in particular.
About 18 months or so ago I always felt tired even though I was not doing much. I had a urine infection and the nurse said that there was a trace of blood in my urine and she gave me a week long subscription of antibiotics which cleared the infection. My GP saw this in his notes and invited me in for a blood test and a further urine sample was given. He said that all was fine expect that there was still blood in the urine. He sent me for a MRI scan which picked up nothing. A week later yet another urine sample and still blood. My GP then arranged for a cystoscopy (where they insert a camera up the penis and into the bladder) to check if your bladder has problems which is causing the blood in the urine.
I was given notice about 4 weeks b4 I had to make the arduous 45 mile journey to the hospital, needless to say the closer the date got the more petrified I became. Which man on this earth would want a long cord with a camera attached at the end of if going up your penis. Eventually the day arrived and I set off shitting myself. The walk from the car park usually takes about 5 minutes but I am sure that on this occasion it took me double that.
Once I set foot in the hospital all my nervousness seemed to go, don’t know why as I felt a calmness as I knew that I would be in very good hands. How right I was.
The nurse sat me down and explained the entire procedure to me after which I signed a consent form. I then got undressed, by now the nerves returned and started working overtime. She said that it was up to me whether I wanted to go ahead or not. Fuck it I thought, I have come all this way let’s do this.
I then entered a room and sitting there waiting for me was the urologist his assistant, a trainee doctor who looked about 16 but must have been 20 or so and the nurse that spoke to me earlier who turned out to be my “saviour”
The doctor had his own form for me to sign so I just signed it as I was half butt naked already and was definitely not going to make a runner now. So I lay down on the bed. He threw some ice cold product on the area which numbed it all and then proceeded. He explained what he was doing I asked him not to bother. The nurse was holding my hand and I was squeezing my nose with my other hand. When the doc had finished he gave my bladder the all clear. Great I thought that’s that then no more invasions and no more seeing my GP. No chance of that.
A couple of weeks later my local GP insisted on yet another MRI scan which resulted in finding nothing. Next was an ultra sound. First my right kidney then the left one. The specialist consultant took 5 minutes on the right kidney and 10 seconds with the left one then back to the right kidney for another 10 minutes.I then knew that I was in trouble even though she did not tell me as they are not allowed too. a few days later my GP called and said that I had a tumour growing out of my right kidney.
So back to the hospital in December last year for a biopsy. That was fun. Back into the same room as those MRI s scans but this time I had company, a doctor and a nurse. Yet again they applied this cold solution on me, on my back and he then stuck these long needles into me. I fortunately could not feel a thing. He invited me to look up and watch the screen. I declined. When he got to the tumour he took two pieces off. All I felt was the same feeling when you cut your toe nails. Click click.
Three weeks later I was summoned back to the hospital to be told that the tumour was carcinoma. I was amazed how calm and relaxed I was when I heard that I had cancer. The urologist then explained what would happen next
either full kidney removal, a partial nephrectomy or a cryoablation (freezing and killing the tumour) I choose a partial removal.
My op was scheduled for March/April, then covid struck so it was postponed.
In June yet another scan just focusing on the kidney then the whole body to see if the cancer had spread. The cancer decided not to spread but the tumour had doubled in size taking me into stage 2 nearly 3. They then arranged for my op in August
A couple of days b4 the op the doctor who was going to perform the op called me up and told me that because the tumour had grown so quickly and because it had also grown inward it was very close to an artery he thought that the op would be very long and slightly dangerous because of the closeness to the artery. He would also have to go through the rib cage possibly sawing one of my ribs to get there. The alternative was to remove my kidney which I agreed too.
My 4 hour op went well except when waking up I had a catheter in place. I spent two nights in hospital and was discharged. I have almost made a full recovery and have been given the all clear.
So although I went through a rough ride I have come out ok as I listened to my GP.
Don’t be afraid to go when you are feeling something is wrong. Just do it because it can save your life as it did mine.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Dave Scott, mr hawaii, Craig Eudey, Magi, Pirhobeta, johnnycomelately, mikesack, bayern, KitKat, Len Sham and 6 other people also said thanks.
Thank you for your post.
We were all concerned when you disappeared from this forum & so very happy & relieved you are back & on the way to a full recovery. Your advice is well taken. Keep strong bud. !!
Thanks for sharing Chicken, all the best with your recovery
You just made me realize that i must go for a check-up
About six years ago i was diagnosed with diabetes and were on medication for about three months only to stop taking medicine
I haven't till this day gone back for a check-up knowing that most in my family has this condition
I have since lost a lot of weight and just put it down to bad eating habits and no exercise
And i am only 61
Thanks again and welcome back
Thanks for the update CNC 306. You are a survivor and will see out your twilight years romping in the snow and hiking in the Scottish Highlands, like Bob .
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