Just Dropped In…….
Latest medical update: PSA is 1.59 and everyone is reasonably happy with that. Potassium is 3.3 which is low, but no lower than it has been for the last 6 years apart from the 2 occasions in recent weeks when I was on potassium supplements, but my GP isn’t happy and I have to see him in 10 days.
Prostate cancer feeds on testosterone so the meds I’m on aim to limit the amount of testosterone I produce and this is working well. There is one obvious side effect which I’m not going to explain, but there are a number of others which I’ve been discussing with the Rosemere Cancer Nurse recently.
- Lack of energy – I can walk several miles one day, but the following day I’m knackered
- Loss of muscle tone – my formerly chiselled body is now going a bit round and flabby especially around the waist
- Gaining weight – trying to fight this, but lack of testosterone doesn’t stop me eating
- Mood swings – perhaps explains the events of 4-5 weeks ago
- Mental Health – caused by all of the above and the fact I’m being messed about by my GP at the same time
Regarding the last of these, since we moved to Lytham I haven’t found a male friendship group like I’ve had previously. Last week I went to Lytham Men’s Health Group for the first time. They seem like a good bunch of guys. I think I’m probably the oldest there but it was good to sit down with abunch of guys to talk. It was only the second meeting of the group, so it’s still at the stage of introducing ourselves, but everyone is very open about their issues and hopefully this will develope into a good social group.
We went back to Southport last Friday to a retirement party and met up with some people we haven’t seen for a while and with one couple we haven’t seen for years, and that was lovely. If the hosts are reading this, thanks very much for the invitation.
We also met up with friends, one of whom has health problems which put mine into perspective. Keep well both of you. we’re thinking of you.
I should say, just to complete the picture, that Heather and I are still delighted that we moved to Lytham and we love living here. We went for a walk around Southport last Friday afternoon and it’s not really improved.
Hopefully the next post won’t be quite as serious.