OK, sorry that this is not music related in any way, however very important that all should heed and stay in good health.

How many of our older members are finding it either difficult to relieve yourself, finding the frequency of needing to do so is going up with ever shorter times between, at the worst, are you seeing blood?
It is definitely not a sign of just growing older if you answer yes to any of the above.

I urge you to go and see your doctor and as soon as possible, if you are lucky, it may just be a minor infection quickly cleared up with antibiotics. A little less lucky, it may be a benign growth that can be easily removed with keyhole surgery, even less lucky it may be a cancerous tumour, which if caught early enough can also be easily removed.

If you are already under the doctor about these things, then I hope all is well, if not, please, please, please, do go see the doctor.

Otherwise you will most certainly finish up in my situation as I did leave it all too late.

By the time it had got to needing to go and empty my bladder once an hour, therefore actually restricting my movements to places where I knew there would be a toilet or restroom (for other countries understanding) that is when I finally went to see my doctor as also I had seen blood in what came out too.

First off was a course of antibiotics, which in my case did nothing, so My doctor referred me then to the urology department of our local hospital.

After a cystoscopy examination a tumour was discovered inside my bladder and quite a large one, I then went for a CT scan so they could determine a bit more. Then the next course of action was keyhole surgery under the knock out drops (I cant spell anaesthetic ) to see if it was possible to remove the tumour, which proved that only a small part could, which was then sent for analysis. It turned out to be an aggressive form of cancer that had grown into and become part of my bladder.
It was then decided at that point that it would be best to have chemotherapy, followed by removal of the entire bladder.
However from the CT scan, a small anomaly was also discovered in the shape of some fluid at the back and outside my right lung, so a sample of that was taken. The results showed things were a good bit more serious than at first thought, as there was some small amount of the same cancer cells in it.

That has changed the ball game considerably, the chemotherapy course was altered, and also extended from the original three cycles to now six cycles, and my bladder will no longer be removed. (Not much point as it is too late)
At the very best, the cancer can only be sent into remission and never totally killed off by the present treatments, in turn that can now be a limiting factor on how much longer I will be here to post my usual rubbish on here.
There is still hope though, as there is a promising new trial treatment available soon and that will be looked into after the present course of chemotherapy is finished.

I am staying positive, I promise to post my brand of oddball humour now and then where appropriate, and try to carry on living for as long as I can.
The hopefully good thing about the chemo should be that at least I might get a bit more bladder space back and not be tied down to somewhere I can go empty it at the by now every half hour intervals. Quality of life isn't good when it is like that, so I hope to get at least some of it back.

So to conclude, and back to my opening sentences, for all, both male and female, have some serious thoughts about your frequency of bladder emptying needs, if more than twice in the morning or afternoon, think back, when you were younger that it wasn't like that then, so be aware that may be the first warning signs that all is not well. Do not hesitate, please don't finish up with a similar tale to tell as mine above.

Excellent advice. I can name two of our number who we've lost to Prostate Cancer. The are simple tests (non invasive) to test for PSA. (Prostate Stimulating Agent). No gloves required.

Wishing you all the very best for a successful outcome Nev.

Fortunately, I have a doctor who sends me reminder letters. If I don't get there within a few weeks, he sends me another one. These days, I go whenever I get that first letter.

It doesn't really matter what it takes. Life isn't a rehearsal, it's the real thing.

Your messages is a great reminder for all, so thanks for that.

And of course, wishing you the best result possible

Trev

Sorry to hear that Nev. I wish you the best for a speedy recovery.

More info.
I was just at my doctor's yesterday for my physical.

- They can now do a "stethescope test" near the base of your neck to see if you are PRONE to strokes.

- There's now a simple lab test they can do to see if you require further study with a colonoscopy. In other words, you may be able to skip the colonoscopy altogether.

Isn't science grand!

Cystoscopy: had one once. I cringe at the mere mention of the word <grin>

Good luck!
LLOYD S

Sorry to hear this. Best wishes as you continue your treatment and prayers for your recovery.


Charlie

Good luck Nev, it's bad news but others have beat it.

Google and google some more. There are supplements that could possibly reduce the symptoms of the treatment and some that might even assist.

I had a close friend who went through lung and inoperable brain cancer. They gave her 6 months, and she made it over 6 years by keeping her body alkaline (I guess cancer likes an acid environment) and taking supplements she got from lef.org - there is information on the site from their magazine articles.

She put up a good fight.

I'm not a doctor, and I don't know if she would have lasted 6 years without all of that. I don't know if the LEF articles are just to sell supplements or not, so I'd advise that anything you do, you do with the consent of your doctors.

I hope you heal quickly and completely.

Bob

Nev, my condolences and prayers go out to you. Do what the nice docs say, and also as Bob Norton recommended. You need to become an expert on your own condition. Specialists are likely to be current on research and best practices, but your personal practitioner may not. Become your own advocate, and always speak up if you have questions or doubts about anything.

To all: At the age of most of us here, we need to be aware of any abnormalities in our health, even if they seem minor, and bring them to the attention of your healthcare providers. I too have been troubled by frequent urination (every 30-45 minutes). This is common to many conditions, but after talking with my doc he ordered several tests. This past Monday I was diagnosed with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. No one knows how long it's been going on. I tested negative for kidney damage, but I need to be checked for retinal damage. I hadn't seen a doctor in over four years, do I have only myself (and poverty and other issues) to blame for the late diagnosis.

Don Gaynor, a quibble from a medical language specialist: PSA actually stands for prostate-specific antigen. You can confirm this at Medilexicon.com, my go-to site for medical abbreviations.

This isn't particularly good news. I hope you come out of this alright. (Even though it might mean difficult times coming.)

My thoughts are with you.
Guido

Hi Nev,

Please know that I'm sending a heap of get-well thoughts and prayers your way. This trial your going through is a tough one but don't lose heart. Medical miracles that astound everybody happen. I've seen them.

Last year, I spent some time in hospital. There were four of us in the ward. I was very fortunate to be surrounded by 3 amazing people. Directly opposite me was Alan. Alan was 96 years old. I was talking to his daughter one day and she told me how her dad had beaten a brain tumour, a couple of bouts of stomach cancer, skin cancer and lung cancer. He was quite an amazing man to talk to and had an incredible life story. Alan's mind hadn't succumbed to old age in any way. In one conversation with his daughter, she told me that he had knocked on heaven's door a few times and, just when everyone had given up hope, he astounded those around him by bouncing back with a vengeance.

To cut a long story short, during my stay, Alan reached an extremely low point and it seemed that his time on earth was just about up. Then, one morning around 4 am, I awoke to find him sitting up in bed. He said he was tired of laying down and wanted to go for a walk around the ward. I said to stay there and that I'd buzzed the nurses to help him up. He said he didn't need any help and he literally jumped out of bed with the energy of a 30 year old. Two days later, he was discharged and walked out of hospital. I was left amazed. If I hadn't seen the transformation myself, I would never have believed it. I'm pretty sure Alan will make it to 100, at least!

What I'm trying to say is, "Don't give up because none of us know for sure what's around that next corner."

Take care,
Noel

Nev you are in our prayers.

When I was getting chemo for fighting Colon cancer I found the vitamin and mineral supplements really helped. When I got tired, which was often, then whey protein mixed in milk helped me get through the day. If you would like more information feel free to contact me.

Nev !

I´ll pray for your full recovery !

Cheers
Dani

Ditto what Dani said!


Regards,

Bob

Nev, so sorry to hear this, I wish you well.

The older we get the more of this kind of thing we run across. My good friend's sister is in City of Hope right now with one of the many types of lung cancer. She just started chemo this week. The problem is without the chemo they're saying she has six months and with it maybe a year.

Not particularly good either way.

We all have our ways of dealing with this. So far I'm very lucky, I'm almost 70 with no issues at all but I'm not stupid. Sooner or later I'm going to have a routine checkup and something bad is going to happen. Such is life.

I find it interesting that there's a new show debuting on TNT in a week called Proof. It's about life after death and looks like it might be a good show. What's hidden between the lines of a show like this is the baby boom demographic. Boomers are now in their 60's and 70's so they think we're interested in a show like this. I think they're right if it's done well.

40 years ago marketing was all about us, now it's about Proof.

Bob

Nev,

I wish you the best and pray for a full recovery. So sorry to here this, and even more sorry to realize that all I can do is wish and pray the best for you, and of course to send hugs from my house to yours.

Later,

The following is all opinion, not health advice, but something that might send others on their own journey of research.

I've read, and I choose to believe that a alkaline and low-glycemic diet is a major key to good health.

My parents died too early from sugar related diseases, and that's when I started research. My friend who 'bought' 6 years of life with her diet reinforced it.

No sugar or foods that turn into sugar quickly (this also prevents type 2 diabetes). When they test you for cancer, what do they do? They put some sugar into you with a tracer and see where it goes. Sugar is food for cancer, it also makes your body acidic which cancer loves.

Of course that means no more white bread, potatoes, sugar, white rice, macaroni and so on, but good health is priceless. If you haven't got your health, you have nothing.

There are glycemic index / glycemic load charts all over the Internet that can show you which foods have the lowest impact on your blood sugar.

There are also charts that will show you which foods make you more alkaline.

I hope it's an ounce of prevention for me, and if you have problems already, it might help the medical profession help you (as I said, always check with your doctor - I am not a doc, not qualified to give medical advice, and am not giving medical advice).

My friend got an extra 6 years of life doing the above plus taking lots of nutritional supplements. I don't know if it would work for everyone, but it seems to be keeping me healthy for now, and at my age I don't have the challenges that my parents did or my siblings are facing.

So google and google some more. You and your doctors are partners in your health. Anything you can do to help them helps you.

I hope you beat this thing Nev.

Notes

You make a good point Notes. The more I read and the more I hear from doctors including my dentist just a couple of months ago the more I believe in what you're saying. He was telling me that even if you're not diabetic too much sugar can cause periodontal pockets in the bones anchoring the teeth which I have. This goes along with what my primary physician at the VA has said too. I hadn't heard about the alkaline part but understanding that sugar can be bad is pretty well accepted. I started cutting back several years ago but I haven't become a fanatic about it. Yet. I'm starting to lean in that direction though and I will do some reading based on what you posted.

Bob

I cut out the sugar when my father died of adult onset diabetes. I follow the diet that was recommended for him.

It seems that sugar is bad for you and so is your own insulin. My father thought he was controlling his sugar by taking a drug that increased his insulin secretions. The insulin burned out the blood vessels in his heart and kidneys. I've since read that insulin is "The Killer Hormone".

I don't eat hardly any high glycemic foods. Of course, if I'm in a social situation where it would be rude not to, I'll have a little bit - and I mean a very small serving.

It was an adjustment, but since both my parents killed themselves with sugar (much too young), I had a lot of incentive.

I don't consider myself a fanatic about it, but I'm serious about a healthy diet. And I don't mean the diet the USDA and all the other factory farm propaganda diets advise.

As far as having an alkaline body is concerned, I've read (and choose to believe - you never know) that an alkaline body is less hospitable to bacteria and virus infections. I catch a mild cold perhaps every 5 years or so, and I gig for a living in places where contact with a person who comes with a cold is pretty difficult (probably impossible).

The best source I've found for information is pubmed.com, but it's not easy to search. It takes practice. And of course, what I'm doing might be all wrong, so don't consider this professional advice. Do your own research and check with your doctor.

I happen to enjoy life. If there is an afterlife, I'm not in a hurry to get there. If there isn't one and this is it, I want to hang out as long as possible.

Of course, there are no guarantees in life (except that it ends). I could eat healthfully and still come down with something, and another can smoke a pack of cigarettes a day and live to be 100. But I think it's worth it to play the odds.

Again, hang in the Nev. Do your research, work with your doctors, and remember, medical science can do things that were impossible only a few years ago.

Bob

Firstly, thanks to everyone who has replied with support, I am keeping my outlook high and hoping for the best.

Next is a certain amount of blood sugar is essential and too little is as bad as too high. However I don't take in that much and limit the intake, what was once two sugars in a coffee or tea is now only a half, sweet cakes and biscuits (Cookies) are only in small amounts and not the two or three a day it used to be, result is a healthy level of blood sugar as found by the doctors doing tests for everything else while checking out my cancer.
Generally speaking until recently my health was fine, lots of hard work till I retired saw to the exercise part of life.

It is like the old joke, the health fanatics are going to feel stupid lying in bed dying of nothing.

So sorry to hear. My father in law beat it. His PSA was off the charts when they found it and he was in his late 60's or early 70's. He went through hell for a few weeks. He was a very active person and that whole ordeal was tough on him. But he got through it. He's in his 90's now. For exercise he dances almost everyday to his favorite 50's rock, eats healthy except on vacations and holidays when he'll splurge a little bit. The doctors say he's in great shape and his "body age" is younger than his real age.

I hope that gives you some encouragement. And I'm sending thoughts and prayers for your full recovery.

From what I've read (again, I'm not a doctor).

It's not so much the sugar, but the speed in which it is processed by the body. Low-glycemic carbohydrates enter the blood stream gradually.

Carbohydrates with a high glycemic index or load require a lot of insulin to process, and the insulin is not good for you.

I don't do sugar at all. I'll put Stevia in my coffee (you have to be careful with brands, cheaper ones taste nasty because the cut the stevia leaves with stems).

Your body will run fine without sugar, it goes into ketosis and runs on ketones. At least that's what I've read. I don't go that extreme though. I just make sure the carbs I eat are the kind that get turned into sugar gradually.

Of course, that's my choice, and what I choose to believe. With so much conflicting information out there, we all have to make our own decision.

My friend cut out all sugar and almost all carbs, went ketogenic, got alkaline and bought herself 5.5 years more than her doctors predicted. For most of that time she was in remission.

Whatever you choose to do, I hope it is the best thing for you.

Bob