AFF Cancer Survivors Thread

[QF WP]

@Buzzard, I remember my PET scan - the injection and sitting in a darkened room, made me feel like I was Spiderman (having a radioisotope running around my body). I had no issues with the scanning (the clinic staff said some were claustropobic). Will raise a glass of red for you tonight towards a positive result

 

[Buzzard]

Just don’t remind me what a burden of debt we have left for ourselves and our future generations and they didn’t even increase bed numbers and they reduced casualty size making a perfect fit for an ageing population.

With all the money spent on that hospital I'm somewhat surprised that they don't have a robot so my eventual surgery will be at a private hospital with the Government picking up the bill. I was told the robot costs about 1 million.

 

[Bundy Bear]

This Thursday I have my PET Scan so will soon find out if cancer is restricted to the prostate or has spread.

Let’s hope nothing has spread.

 

[QF WP]

Yes, the word "metastasized" is not a word that is welcome when talking about cancer...

 

[straitman]

My GP just had me cancel my procedure for next Tuesday as there are a few more urgent issues happening and they need to be sorted first.

 

[Pushka]

Yes, the word "metastasized" is not a word that is welcome when talking about cancer...

Especially when associated with aggressive and disorganized.

 

[QF WP]

or spreading, invasive and/or malignant (I had all 3)

 

[marki]

@Buzzard, I remember my PET scan - the injection and sitting in a darkened room, made me feel like I was Spiderman (having a radioisotope running around my body). I had no issues with the scanning (the clinic staff said some were claustropobic). Will raise a glass of red for you tonight towards a positive result

You meant positive as in a negative result for Cancer

 

[QF WP]

Correct...encapsulated would be a nice word to read in @Buzzard's report

 

[Buzzard]

Well, today is exactly 6 weeks post op so I had a meeting with the Urology Fellow that assisted with my surgery.
Although my PSA is higher than <0.01, at 0.03 it is considered acceptable but I need another test in 6 months time.
As for the cancer, it did marginally spread outside the "pod" but with the removal of additional tissue lab results show a clear margin. I understand medical professionals have to cover their tracks hence I was told radiation is an option should it be required down the track.

 

[rogerkambah]

Yes, the word "metastasized" is not a word that is welcome when talking about cancer...

Agreed. Mine have returned, but its a watching brief atm and maybe radiation later or chemo again if the growth is agressive.
Wondering whether they are survivors of the original mets - I suppose they must be as they're in the lungs again.

 

[marki]

Agreed. Mine have returned, but its a watching brief atm and maybe radiation later or chemo again if the growth is agressive.
Wondering whether they are survivors of the original mets - I suppose they must be as they're in the lungs again.

Words are not enough but I will try anyway. Please keep strong and please remember we are with you. Good luck with the future, as long as it not interfering with flying too much.

 

[straitman]

Well, today is exactly 6 weeks post op so I had a meeting with the Urology Fellow that assisted with my surgery.
Although my PSA is higher than <0.01, at 0.03 it is considered acceptable but I need another test in 6 months time.
As for the cancer, it did marginally spread outside the "pod" but with the removal of additional tissue lab results show a clear margin. I understand medical professionals have to cover their tracks hence I was told radiation is an option should it be required down the track.

Buzz,
Your situation sounds almost identical to what mine was ten years ago. After six months I did a session of radiation and never looked back. I now do a PSA annually via the eurologist. In his words it's not really required but it's good for peace of mind.

 

[drross]

Eurologist?? A urologist from the EU???

 

[rogerkambah]

Words are not enough but I will try anyway. Please keep strong and please remember we are with you. Good luck with the future, as long as it not interfering with flying too much.

Actually I'm not that fazed by it. The diagnosis of the original malignant tumour with mets as phase 4 renal cancer was a bit of a 'stop you in your tracks moment', but at least I had a diagnosis after 7 months of feeling mildly unwell to being totally r/s. 14 months of chemo took their toll too, but currently I feel ok and hardly even think about it.
A trip to Thailand is scheduled for February before I see my onco again in March.

 

[rogerkambah]

Can anyone suggest a travel insurance company that isn't too fazed when the applicant mentions they have a recurrence of a cancer, but is not currently being treated.
We are going to Thailand transiting HKG and SIN.

 

[sinophile888]

Can anyone suggest a travel insurance company that isn't too fazed when the applicant mentions they have a recurrence of a cancer, but is not currently being treated.
We are going to Thailand transiting HKG and SIN.

I have had major issues with TI. Up to the last policy, I went with insureandgo. This time, I had to go with allclear. Hope that helps.

 

[love_the_life]

Can anyone suggest a travel insurance company that isn't too fazed when the applicant mentions they have a recurrence of a cancer, but is not currently being treated.
We are going to Thailand transiting HKG and SIN.

I looked at all clear as well for MrLtL more for interest at this stage - they didn’t seem keen on things that had metastasised though. In the end we had a standard one that didn’t cover conditions arising from cancer.

 

[Pushka]

I looked at all clear as well for MrLtL more for interest at this stage - they didn’t seem keen on things that had metastasised though. In the end we had a standard one that didn’t cover conditions arising from cancer.

I had back surgery 30 years ago and that will never be covered. I think it used to be but now the fine print comes with that word ‘ever had’.

 

[love_the_life]

I had back surgery 30 years ago and that will never be covered. I think it used to be but now the fine print comes with that word ‘ever had’.

Seem to be looking for ways to cut down any possible pay outs for health related stuff - not so bad for flight delays we've found.