The Kindness of Strangers

[lawman]

Well...the journey has now really begun. I've had the PSA tests, the biopsy, the scans and the revealing one-on-one consultations. I've had the uncertainty. I've had the sleepless nights. I have cancer. Wow. How cold those words look on a page. How emotional those words make me feel. Yet, in being able to say it, there is a calm freedom. Now that I know. Now I have to act. Yesterday I met with the radiologist at the hospital. He was a calm, focused and friendly man. He gave me hope... But being new to all of this, I was not prepared for the mood and tone of the "cancer ward". Nurses have a demanding role, one that takes them across the personalities of many and varied patients. People with cancer are often fearful, angry and confused. It's understood. But it can be hard to deal with. My experience with EVERY nurse I met yesterday (my first visit to the ward)was met with care, concern, humor and friendliness. Sooooooooooooooooooooo in a long winded way, I want to applaud the kindness of strangers. Strangers who I'm sure will become friends. To all nurses who work in this area, my sincere thanks. I can't speak for others, but maybe I can, you make the path easy to walk. ...thank you. George.

[topenddownunder]

Gday George....I have been travelling this road for 2 years now, and I totally agree with your sentiments.I have only encountered one or two, umm.. not so positive people who work in this sensitive and very demanding vocation.From Oncologists to Nurses, the wide spectrum of professional people you meet,makes you feel secure and informed with their wealth of knowledge. A BIG thank you to you all. Greg

[Jules2]

Hey Lawman I am still in contact with my cancer nurse and it is now nearly 6 years since finishing treatment. You will find kindness everywhere and the professionals that work in the cancer field are amazing!! Plus, when you actually find out what it is you have to worry about, it is strangely comforting. Julie

[lawman]

Aaaaaaaaaaargh the kindness of strangers continues. Thank you, Julie. I appreciate your comments. Best to you, George.

[ZOL]

Hello George, You seem to be at the stage that I was at this time last year. For me the anxious time was between diagnosis and getting treatment under way and understanding what my cancer is and what the labels mean For me there were three key measures: (a) The tumour rating ( T?) (b) The rate of growth (Gleason score) (c) PSA level and the time it took to double Then there are the treatment options depending on your age, general physical condition -incl weight and the nature of the cancer. -watchful waiting -surgery- conventional or DiVinci Robotic -androgen treatment -radiation (internal or external) with option of androgen therapy -chemo These options are mainly determined by all the variables and your Uroligist-Oncologist-Radiation Oncologist with others working as a team will usually offer the best course of treatment The key item to qualify is what is the tumour rating: -T = generally confined to the prostate and has not gone to the nodes -N= gone to the nodes -M= Mastastisided ( gone beyond the nodes) In my case my Tumour was T3B & my Gleason Score was 9 (4+5) My treatment was: -6 mos androgen injections to shrink the tumour -gold beads inserted in the prostate to focus external radiation -39 external radiation sessions with 2 Grays a pot. -Follow-up Testosterone & PSA blood tests (testosterone feeds the cancer) -in remission since late August because my testosterone and PSA were both sub 1 Then there is the Gleason Scale It is arrived at by adding nimbers between 1 & 5 for the two most prominent cancers eg 2+4 +6 etc.The higher the total the more agressive the cancer is. 9 & 10 are considered very serious while sub 6 are considered not serious and can involve watchful waiting. In my experence there are two distinct type of prostate cancer sufferers: -those like me who want to know everything about it and -those who do not want to know much about it; just simply trust the specialists and the recommended treatment. During the whole journey, it is important, IMO, to stay positive and find useful ways to attract ones interest and attention ( a friend of mine with cancer said: "read lots about but dont over-think your personal situation) I have found that staying positive has helped my family and friends to deal with it and , in my case. it has warded off depression. I now volunteer 2 half days a week on cancer wards at my local hospitals and i find this very rewarding. The Cancer Council and Mayo Clinic have good websites but if you have concerns that your specialists are not clearly explaining please feel free to post and perhaps some of us survivors out here may be able to let you know what their specific experiences are and how they are coping Cheers Zol

[lawman]

Hey Zol, Thanks for your kind interest and support. It's very appreciated. Today, well, ahem, interesting. I had the "seeds" planted, and I'm a little tender. Next we move to the Planning Meeting in two weeks. Then onto 37 bouts of radiation. So far, other than tears today, I've been good, positive and strong. We are planning a European tour in April, the main surgeon suggest this is "beatable" and to continue with our plans. That, to me, is positive plus. I'm been concerned and a tad anxious, but after today's planting, I'm feeling it's going to get better. I appreciate your generous gift of sharing your experience and knowledge of our situation. A burden shared is a burden halved. Thanks for taking some of the load. Warmly and continued good wishes, George.

[lawman]

Hey Zol, Thanks for your kind interest and support. It's very appreciated. Today, well, ahem, interesting. I had the "seeds" planted, and I'm a little tender. Next we move to the Planning Meeting in two weeks. Then onto 37 bouts of radiation. So far, other than tears today, I've been good, positive and strong. We are planning a European tour in April, the main surgeon suggest this is "beatable" and to continue with our plans. That, to me, is positive plus. I'm been concerned and a tad anxious, but after today's planting, I'm feeling it's going to get better. I appreciate your generous gift of sharing your experience and knowledge of our situation. A burden shared is a burden halved. Thanks for taking some of the load. Warmly and continued good wishes, George.

[lawman]

Hey Zol, Thanks for your kind interest and support. It's very appreciated. Today, well, ahem, interesting. I had the "seeds" planted, and I'm a little tender. Next we move to the Planning Meeting in two weeks. Then onto 37 bouts of radiation. So far, other than tears today, I've been good, positive and strong. We are planning a European tour in April, the main surgeon suggest this is "beatable" and to continue with our plans. That, to me, is positive plus. I'm been concerned and a tad anxious, but after today's planting, I'm feeling it's going to get better. I appreciate your generous gift of sharing your experience and knowledge of our situation. A burden shared is a burden halved. Thanks for taking some of the load. Warmly and continued good wishes, George.

[lawman]

Hey Zol, Thanks for your kind interest and support. It's very appreciated. Today, well, ahem, interesting. I had the "seeds" planted, and I'm a little tender. Next we move to the Planning Meeting in two weeks. Then onto 37 bouts of radiation. So far, other than tears today, I've been good, positive and strong. We are planning a European tour in April, the main surgeon suggest this is "beatable" and to continue with our plans. That, to me, is positive plus. I'm been concerned and a tad anxious, but after today's planting, I'm feeling it's going to get better. I appreciate your generous gift of sharing your experience and knowledge of our situation. A burden shared is a burden halved. Thanks for taking some of the load. Warmly and continued good wishes, George.

[lawman]

Hey Zol, Thanks for your kind interest and support. It's very appreciated. Today, well, ahem, interesting. I had the "seeds" planted, and I'm a little tender. Next we move to the Planning Meeting in two weeks. Then onto 37 bouts of radiation. So far, other than tears today, I've been good, positive and strong. We are planning a European tour in April, the main surgeon suggest this is "beatable" and to continue with our plans. That, to me, is positive plus. I'm been concerned and a tad anxious, but after today's planting, I'm feeling it's going to get better. I appreciate your generous gift of sharing your experience and knowledge of our situation. A burden shared is a burden halved. Thanks for taking some of the load. Warmly and continued good wishes, George.

[lawman]

Hey Zol, Thanks for your kind interest and support. It's very appreciated. Today, well, ahem, interesting. I had the "seeds" planted, and I'm a little tender. Next we move to the Planning Meeting in two weeks. Then onto 37 bouts of radiation. So far, other than tears today, I've been good, positive and strong. We are planning a European tour in April, the main surgeon suggest this is "beatable" and to continue with our plans. That, to me, is positive plus. I'm been concerned and a tad anxious, but after today's planting, I'm feeling it's going to get better. I appreciate your generous gift of sharing your experience and knowledge of our situation. A burden shared is a burden halved. Thanks for taking some of the load. Warmly and continued good wishes, George.

[lawman]

Hey Zol, Thanks for your kind interest and support. It's very appreciated. Today, well, ahem, interesting. I had the "seeds" planted, and I'm a little tender. Next we move to the Planning Meeting in two weeks. Then onto 37 bouts of radiation. So far, other than tears today, I've been good, positive and strong. We are planning a European tour in April, the main surgeon suggest this is "beatable" and to continue with our plans. That, to me, is positive plus. I'm been concerned and a tad anxious, but after today's planting, I'm feeling it's going to get better. I appreciate your generous gift of sharing your experience and knowledge of our situation. A burden shared is a burden halved. Thanks for taking some of the load. Warmly and continued good wishes, George.

[lawman]

Hey Zol, Thanks for your kind interest and support. It's very appreciated. Today, well, ahem, interesting. I had the "seeds" planted, and I'm a little tender. Next we move to the Planning Meeting in two weeks. Then onto 37 bouts of radiation. So far, other than tears today, I've been good, positive and strong. We are planning a European tour in April, the main surgeon suggest this is "beatable" and to continue with our plans. That, to me, is positive plus. I'm been concerned and a tad anxious, but after today's planting, I'm feeling it's going to get better. I appreciate your generous gift of sharing your experience and knowledge of our situation. A burden shared is a burden halved. Thanks for taking some of the load. Warmly and continued good wishes, George.

[lawman]

Hey Zol, Thanks for your kind interest and support. It's very appreciated. Today, well, ahem, interesting. I had the "seeds" planted, and I'm a little tender. Next we move to the Planning Meeting in two weeks. Then onto 37 bouts of radiation. So far, other than tears today, I've been good, positive and strong. We are planning a European tour in April, the main surgeon suggest this is "beatable" and to continue with our plans. That, to me, is positive plus. I'm been concerned and a tad anxious, but after today's planting, I'm feeling it's going to get better. I appreciate your generous gift of sharing your experience and knowledge of our situation. A burden shared is a burden halved. Thanks for taking some of the load. Warmly and continued good wishes, George.

[lawman]

Hey Zol, Thanks for your kind interest and support. It's very appreciated. Today, well, ahem, interesting. I had the "seeds" planted, and I'm a little tender. Next we move to the Planning Meeting in two weeks. Then onto 37 bouts of radiation. So far, other than tears today, I've been good, positive and strong. We are planning a European tour in April, the main surgeon suggest this is "beatable" and to continue with our plans. That, to me, is positive plus. I'm been concerned and a tad anxious, but after today's planting, I'm feeling it's going to get better. I appreciate your generous gift of sharing your experience and knowledge of our situation. A burden shared is a burden halved. Thanks for taking some of the load. Warmly and continued good wishes, George.

[lawman]

Hey Zol, Thanks for your kind interest and support. It's very appreciated. Today, well, ahem, interesting. I had the "seeds" planted, and I'm a little tender. Next we move to the Planning Meeting in two weeks. Then onto 37 bouts of radiation. So far, other than tears today, I've been good, positive and strong. We are planning a European tour in April, the main surgeon suggest this is "beatable" and to continue with our plans. That, to me, is positive plus. I'm been concerned and a tad anxious, but after today's planting, I'm feeling it's going to get better. I appreciate your generous gift of sharing your experience and knowledge of our situation. A burden shared is a burden halved. Thanks for taking some of the load. Warmly and continued good wishes, George.

[lawman]

Hey Zol, Thanks for your kind interest and support. It's very appreciated. Today, well, ahem, interesting. I had the "seeds" planted, and I'm a little tender. Next we move to the Planning Meeting in two weeks. Then onto 37 bouts of radiation. So far, other than tears today, I've been good, positive and strong. We are planning a European tour in April, the main surgeon suggest this is "beatable" and to continue with our plans. That, to me, is positive plus. I'm been concerned and a tad anxious, but after today's planting, I'm feeling it's going to get better. I appreciate your generous gift of sharing your experience and knowledge of our situation. A burden shared is a burden halved. Thanks for taking some of the load. Warmly and continued good wishes, George.

[lawman]

Hey Zol, Thanks for your kind interest and support. It's very appreciated. Today, well, ahem, interesting. I had the "seeds" planted, and I'm a little tender. Next we move to the Planning Meeting in two weeks. Then onto 37 bouts of radiation. So far, other than tears today, I've been good, positive and strong. We are planning a European tour in April, the main surgeon suggest this is "beatable" and to continue with our plans. That, to me, is positive plus. I'm been concerned and a tad anxious, but after today's planting, I'm feeling it's going to get better. I appreciate your generous gift of sharing your experience and knowledge of our situation. A burden shared is a burden halved. Thanks for taking some of the load. Warmly and continued good wishes, George.

[lawman]

Hey Zol, Thanks for your kind interest and support. It's very appreciated. Today, well, ahem, interesting. I had the "seeds" planted, and I'm a little tender. Next we move to the Planning Meeting in two weeks. Then onto 37 bouts of radiation. So far, other than tears today, I've been good, positive and strong. We are planning a European tour in April, the main surgeon suggest this is "beatable" and to continue with our plans. That, to me, is positive plus. I'm been concerned and a tad anxious, but after today's planting, I'm feeling it's going to get better. I appreciate your generous gift of sharing your experience and knowledge of our situation. A burden shared is a burden halved. Thanks for taking some of the load. Warmly and continued good wishes, George.

[lawman]

Hey Zol, Thanks for your kind interest and support. It's very appreciated. Today, well, ahem, interesting. I had the "seeds" planted, and I'm a little tender. Next we move to the Planning Meeting in two weeks. Then onto 37 bouts of radiation. So far, other than tears today, I've been good, positive and strong. We are planning a European tour in April, the main surgeon suggest this is "beatable" and to continue with our plans. That, to me, is positive plus. I'm been concerned and a tad anxious, but after today's planting, I'm feeling it's going to get better. I appreciate your generous gift of sharing your experience and knowledge of our situation. A burden shared is a burden halved. Thanks for taking some of the load. Warmly and continued good wishes, George.

[lawman]

Hey Zol, Thanks for your kind interest and support. It's very appreciated. Today, well, ahem, interesting. I had the "seeds" planted, and I'm a little tender. Next we move to the Planning Meeting in two weeks. Then onto 37 bouts of radiation. So far, other than tears today, I've been good, positive and strong. We are planning a European tour in April, the main surgeon suggest this is "beatable" and to continue with our plans. That, to me, is positive plus. I'm been concerned and a tad anxious, but after today's planting, I'm feeling it's going to get better. I appreciate your generous gift of sharing your experience and knowledge of our situation. A burden shared is a burden halved. Thanks for taking some of the load. Warmly and continued good wishes, George.