HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Physical and emotional impact of cancer

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/6/2007 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
I know that I am one of the lucky few and I do not want to cause anyone any sadness. After only my first post op PSA there is a chance that I have beat this cancer thing. Granted I know that it is really too early tell, but, with the post op report, the doctors long term experience and the PSA test, I am very hopeful.

I had surgery in May. As you can tell by the signature, the cancer grade was very progressed and the PTI level and total cancer found in the prostate was very significant.

Following (or maybe even before surgery) I developed a significant case of Diverticulitis. I only fully recovered from it about 3 weeks ago. Since that time I have felt better both emotionally and physically than I have felt in maybe over a year. I honestly feel 10 years younger. I can work hard sweat hard and even when I end the day my head is ready for more. For months before the surgery I had begun to feel that I was depressed and while the diverticulitis was bad I even finally felt so badly that my doctor gave me samples to start anti-depressants (which I haven't taken).

Now granted I beleive that I have plenty of reasons to be depressed and in fact would believe that I should be. Those who have followed my threads will know that I have a wife who is incurably ill, a close grandson born with a brain hemorage as well as trying to run my wife's business, be a caregiver while I had cancer.

All that aside, I have been wondering if the exhaustion as well as the slow lowering of my moods could in fact have been my body battling the growing cancer. Is it common, looking back for people to feel that they were tired physically or more emotionally despondent as the cancer grow, even before they know that they have cancer?
I guess I think it would make sense but I don't know.

Has anyone else had that experience?
By the way I am being careful not to overdo.
Thanks David
Posted 8/6/2007 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Stay Careful, David,
Your disease is gowing away as shown from your Post-Op PSA test. You should be at least somewhat relieved that the possibility of complete remission is still available to you. It's hard for you with all else happening around you. But you are going to be around a long time and don't let depression set in as it is a complete waste of time and valuable brain cell space. You just keep on keeping on. Your wife and sone need you to show the power of positive thinking. That Gleason Score is a bit un-nerving but the Path stage is very much a plus. Take care of the loved ones and that includes the ones in the garage and in the mirror. Use your spare time to do something for yourself.

I had about 15 minutes of tears and fears after I was told that my disease had metastisised. When I was told that my treatment was not succesful after surgery, I did not know what to think. I have always been the primary bread winner and now my wife is. My company of 16 years had new management and they turned their back on me when I told them I had this disease and I did not need that stress. I ridded the stress by quitting, had surgery, failed surgery pathology, started HT, IMRT, and am considering chemo. But I am not depressed. I love living too much to let attitude take the fun out of it.

Stay careful, David,

Tony
Posted 8/6/2007 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
David,

Now, if I remember correctly, from your previous posts what makes you happy is to take care of your family. Part of that is taking care of you.
Taking care of yourself is part of the fight against pc. It's that circle thing. (You can tell I'm pretty scientific about this stuff, huh?)

The fact you feel 10 years younger, your strength is back in full is, well, probably more than thought you would have at this point in time, isn't it? And it brings all of us great joy to hear that, believe me.

Initially, my husband felt fine. We worked 12 -14 hr days (gas pipeline construction) and he had not slowed down at all. We've talked about this more than a few times...how can cancer be attacking you like that and you feel fine??? His "good" pathology report after surgery was not long lived. Finding the cancer had metastised to distant lymph nodes was the sledge hammer. That being said, when your in that place, you come to some decisions. And as TC said it's the attitude...it can rob you...don't let it.

After dealing with so very much it's normal to wonder...maybe it's just a "gift". Just say thanks and go on. You're a great guy, OFL.

All the best,
Susan
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply