Some good news

It's been an interesting eight days. Last Friday I had a CT Urogram at Stepping Hill Hospital, a CT scan of my urinary tract. The appointment letter said I should drink water one hour before the appointment. I did this but emptied my bladder just before I cycled to the hospital. Once there I was asked to change into one of those split-back gowns and presented with about a litre of water to drink. Before the scan I was injected with stuff to highlight the area of interest and some other stuff to make my kidneys work faster. After the scan, I'd barely got dressed when my bladder demanded to be emptied. A few minutes later and the same demand. I cycled home with my bladder demanding to be emptied again. This continued with, thankfully, longer periods between the demands for the next couple of hours.

Last Tuesday I had the first of my hormone injections (prostap) at the local health centre. Next one due 16th June and I'll get my PSA checked at the same time.

This morning was the appointment for the Flexible Cystoscopy at Stepping Hill Hospital Urology clinic. I'm getting blasé about strangers fiddling about with my private parts now. The procedure was painless but not without some discomfort. It is quite fascinating to see the inside of ones plumbing. The camera was not attached all of the time though because the doctor could see better and manipulate the gubbings better without it. There was nothing obviously wrong with my bladder. Good oh! The CT Urogram did not show up anything either. At least, not concerning the bladder. It did show that the prostate cancer has spread to some abdominal lymph nodes as well as my bones. I don't think this is a big deal because there will be no change in treatment and the treatment will be just as effective against the cancer in the lymph nodes as in the bones and prostate itself. My next check up will be in four months and my urine will be checked out again then.

Following the procedure I was advised to drink plenty of water to help prevent any chance of an infection and to expect some blood in my urine for a couple of days. If I suspect I have an infection (temperature, feverishness) I'm to see my GP. The first few times I emptied my bladder there was some discomfort and plenty of blood. By late afternoon the discomfort has gone but there are still some traces of blood.

This afternoon it was over to the Christie Hospital for my regular check up regarding the testicular cancer which is [in remission] cured. Usual procedure: provide some blood for tests, physical examination and chest X-ray. I took the opportunity to tell the doctor about the prostate cancer. Next check up in four months.

So, hopefully, there will be nothing to report on the cancer front until I get my next PSA results at the end of June.