Quite a lot happening here. The renovation works on the bungalow should start soon as the property is nearly dry following the flood on December 5th. Ordered a new car today to replace the one lost in the floods. I also have a new lady friend, she is from Cebu but I have not met her yet but I have met and been in correspondence with her sister (who was a friend of my ex-fiancée) for over 4 years. I don't now how it might progress because my health looks pretty shaky at the moment. I had a biopsy for prostate cancer today as a blood test showed an abnormally high PSA level (285) Apparently, normal levels are less that four and anything over 10 indicates a 50:50 risk of prostate cancer. Of course, I actually feel rather well at the moment, certainly better than I was a few weeks ago when I was under great stress following the flood. There have been so many 'disasters' in the past few weeks that I have to come to expect them as normal and am now completely un-phased as to what might happen next!
Chin up Howerd, hope things continue to improve for you. My dad recently had a prostate cancer scare. I think the numbers he was told was below 10 - no probs, 10-60 is a grey area, above that well as you say is 50/50. There are a great number of things that can affect these PSA levels from riding a bike to diet. In the end my dad had a biopsy and came back all clear. Here's hoping you get the same news
I am living in a caravan right next to my bungalow. Out of 29 houses on our small estate, just 1 never got flooded, one couple is living in their camper van (they use it to tour Europe in winter) and then there is me. No-one else here at all, except for my two cats, which is one reason I got a caravan. The other reason was to be on-site and oversee any works done. So far I have been happy with the works and the insurance company - John Lewis underwritten by Royal Sun Alliance. They inside of the house has been stripped out - plasterboard stripped to 900 mm above floor level, all fitted furniture disposed of. All kitchen units were removed but they wanted to keep carcasses of three wall units but they cannot - because I have thrown them away. I will just pay for new carcasses. All sanitary ware and radiators have been thrown away too (some insurance companies don't do this), but they don't pull up ceramic tiles so I have paid to have them removed and will put safety flooring everywhere and convert bathroom to a wet room. That means I should be able to stay in the bungalow even if I get less mobile. The local Council has paid all flood victims £300 per houshold and are offering 5 year interest-free loans of £1,000. No doubt those without insurance (of which there are many) will struggle for years. And the chances of them getting insurance now will slim or expensive! I will have to wait until September to see what the new premiums will be. I was paying £205/year for buildings and contents, new for old and accommodation if house not habitable. It was a bargain!
It is going to be a worrying 10 days until an appointment is arranged so I can get test results. The consultant could offer no other explanation for a PSA of 285 other than cancer, unfortunately. If there is no cancer, the treatment is TURP (removing part of the prostate). If it is cancer and has not spread, they will do a full prostatectomy. If it is cancer and has spread, they leave prostate in place and treat cancer with drugs, radiation etc.
It was a stressful time for our family so I know what you're going through. It sounds basically then that you will be subjected to some form of intrusive treatment. Just hope its the lesser of the evils then.
I got the biopsy results today, somewhat earlier than expected. It transpires that I have the most aggressive form of prostate cancer (Gleason score: 9) Certainly a life-shortening diagnosis. I feel quite calm about it all. I am now taking anti-androgens and will have an MRI scan in about 3 weeks to see if the cancer has spread into the bone.
**** sorry to hear that Howerd. Think you're dealing with it the best way, being calm. Just have to wait and see what the scan brings, I take it from there they can determine best way forward regarding treatments
