My Experence With Prostate Challenges is a Rough One

A side-view diagram of the pelvic area.

I now have a new self-appointed position: The  Minister of  Action Against Prostate Cancer. Prostate cancer is a serious problem, especially in Jamaica. At the early stages, there are no signs. Some of you will be busy going from girl to girl while the cancer is growing from day to day. Many of you will be on herbs every day, and you swear you can never get prostate cancer. I lost a friend recently who was taking herbs. His PSA was low, but the cancer was growing.

Some people, when they suspect they have prostate challenges, will start drinking soursop leaf tea every day and rejoice that their PSA is going down. The PSA might be going down, and the cancer is going up. I just lost a friend two weeks ago with a similar experience. If the prostate cancer metastasises, then the horse has gone through the gate. Sometimes the cancer spreads even after the prostate gland has been removed. One person told me that he ended up getting stage 4 cancer after his prostate was removed. If my memory serves me right, his medical expenses cost him approximately JAD3 million monthly. He is still alive and fighting.

I am lucky that it seems mine was caught early. The doctor suspected something was wrong, and a blood test was done. PSA was elevated. So I was off to the urologist. The urologist had to do his/her checks. So in seconds, I was on my side with pants pulled down, waiting for the doctor to do the DRE. That's the check, which many men fear more than they fear a gunman.

The doctor explained to me that by feeling the prostate, the doctor can easily pick up abnormalities. While the doctor was checking me, I was concerned about my health and not about the doctor sticking his finger in my bottom. Sex was far from my mind because I don't connect sex with my bottom.

The doctor felt something abnormal, and a biopsy had to be done. I was unfortunate that I got an infection after. I experienced excruciating pain for about a month. Sometimes the tears were streaming down my face, but I was not crying. I had to go to the bathroom sometimes five times for the night. Each time I urinate, it felt like someone inserted a firestick inside of me.

The biopsy is just one of the many tests one has to do. The blood test, ECG, bone scan, MRI, and two ultrasounds. All these tests and seeing doctors cost about JAD 300,000. The urologist requires all these tests to be done so he knows the state of your health. My blood pressure has to be reduced to normal before the operation.

I felt I was ready for the operation, and then there was a report indicating that all is not well with the kidneys. So off you go to see the nephrologist. Oh, I missed one—I had to go to the oncologist before.

Now it is waiting for the big day, which will be life-changing. If you have been doing your annual prostate checks, then it will not be a death sentence for you. It could be a death sentence for that little fellow for a while after the operation. You will have to wear a catheter for sometime to extract the urine from your body. 

This is the big shocker. You might not die from prostate cancer, but when you see the cost for the operation to remove the prostate and related medical care, the cancer might no longer be a problem, but a heart attack might be. The cost of the operations can range from JAD3 million to JAD4 million.

Check your status now. What you don't know can kill you. I forgot to tell you about another test. I had to do a sperm test. I went to the laboratory to give my sperm, and the gentleman who attended to me said, "Sir, you need to give us a sample of your sperm." 

I said to him, "At my age, I don't remember how to do that. He got the sample subsequently.

Thanks to those who came forward to assist. The sad thing is that at least three people reached out to me but I don't have their contact information. Their initials are JP, JE and TW. Please send me a WhatsApp message at 876 816-5261.

Member—mek di doctor check yu prostate NOW!!! Mi can' Bark Di Trute any louder fi yu, fi 'ear. Yu 'ear mi!

Undergoing an ECG test.

MRI Machine

___________________________________

Click the icon below and join a group of people who want to learn more about the prostate and prostate cancer.

Click here to join a WhatsApp broadcast group.

Click here to see what's happening.

_________________

Subscribe Now!

• Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe to my Emergency News Advice Service.
• Make a financial donation now.

Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar so you can see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles.