Ignorance, Hormone Therapy And PC Related Stuff

Trew
Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
edited March 2014 in Prostate Cancer #1
I have a good friend who I have been sharing a bit about my personal battle with PC and related side effects. He knew I was on the hormone shot but had no idea that men on the shot have no sex life.

I told him sometimes the side effects of radiation and surgery also produce a sexless life. I would not be surprised if he gets his PSA checked within the next month or two. Surgery is one thing but the loss of.................

Oh no, not that!

I think many men have no idea what PC can really do to them.

And the way this subject is addrerssed is like these personal issues are almost taboos.

Well, I guess ignorance is bliss.

And reality is akin to being hit by a freight train.

Comments

  • bdhilton
    bdhilton Member Posts: 850 Member
    #2
    Yes guys that do not have it
    Yes guys that do not have it generally do not want to hear about it… I was at my barber shop getting a hair cut and my barber asked about ED and type of treatments came up…I told him that I was taking injections etc…and you could of heard a pin drop…A few other patrons were visibly upset that I even talked about it and also voiced that…So I guess the old freight train of reality is a better way to figure this out for many men…

    Lots of stories but here is another, I was running the other day and saw a neighbor (of course who I have not seen since this PCa thing came up) and he informed me that he would never get PCa because it does not run in his family (interestedly I know his wife and he is adopted)… You would think guys would have more of an interest in this PCa thing especially when the odds are 1 in 6….

    However, I talk about it frequently to guys discomfort or not…I was recently asked to talk about this to a large group because I have a “plan” and the “reality” that I address this beast in…
  • hopeful and optimistic
    hopeful and optimistic Member Posts: 2,339 Member
    #3
    When I was first diagnosed
    I simply told a small core group about my diagnosis, and others on a need to know basis, and if I felt that they were faced with the disease.

    Now, I wear a wrist band that I received from www.ustoo.org, and am available to discuss. It also reminds me that I have this disease, and that I need to celebrate life.-

    Ira
  • Kongo
    Kongo Member Posts: 1,166 Member
    #4
    bdhilton said:

    Yes guys that do not have it
    Yes guys that do not have it generally do not want to hear about it… I was at my barber shop getting a hair cut and my barber asked about ED and type of treatments came up…I told him that I was taking injections etc…and you could of heard a pin drop…A few other patrons were visibly upset that I even talked about it and also voiced that…So I guess the old freight train of reality is a better way to figure this out for many men…

    Lots of stories but here is another, I was running the other day and saw a neighbor (of course who I have not seen since this PCa thing came up) and he informed me that he would never get PCa because it does not run in his family (interestedly I know his wife and he is adopted)… You would think guys would have more of an interest in this PCa thing especially when the odds are 1 in 6….

    However, I talk about it frequently to guys discomfort or not…I was recently asked to talk about this to a large group because I have a “plan” and the “reality” that I address this beast in…

    Ignorance
    I agree completely with the thoughts in this thread, and Bravo Zulu to BD for offering to speak to a large group about PCa. Not too many months ago I was one of those ignorant men who knew very little about prostate cancer, its impact, how widespread it is, or what the side effects to us could be. I think I was still in the twenties mentality that I was going to live forever. It is certainl sobering when we are faced with our own mortality.

    Like BD and Ira I have spoken to several men about the disease and always urge them to study, get second and third opinions, and doubt the urban legends and myths that seem to abound in this area. I think if more of us spoke out (at the appropriate time of course) it would help.
    I fly cross country two or three times a month and am always online while airborne. I frequently check this forum at 35,000 feet and that often leads to a conversation with the guy sitting next to me who happens to see the ACS page up on my computer.
  • NM
    NM Member Posts: 214
    #5
    Good post Trew
    You hit the nail on the head. Removing or destroying the cancer if it is called for comes first of course but the after effects can be devastating as well. I had surgery and now no incontinence (lucky there) but no response in the sex part.

    Still take my pills and am thinking about the shots but I mean I am not sure injecting my penis is a route I want to go.

    I have 1 positive note I am still here to think about these things and sometimes laugh about them. But men should go in with both eyes open about the side effects of any prostate cancer treatment.

    Nick 53 and still hoping
  • bdhilton
    bdhilton Member Posts: 850 Member
    #6
    Kongo said:

    Ignorance
    I agree completely with the thoughts in this thread, and Bravo Zulu to BD for offering to speak to a large group about PCa. Not too many months ago I was one of those ignorant men who knew very little about prostate cancer, its impact, how widespread it is, or what the side effects to us could be. I think I was still in the twenties mentality that I was going to live forever. It is certainl sobering when we are faced with our own mortality.

    Like BD and Ira I have spoken to several men about the disease and always urge them to study, get second and third opinions, and doubt the urban legends and myths that seem to abound in this area. I think if more of us spoke out (at the appropriate time of course) it would help.
    I fly cross country two or three times a month and am always online while airborne. I frequently check this forum at 35,000 feet and that often leads to a conversation with the guy sitting next to me who happens to see the ACS page up on my computer.

    Kongo,
    I would agree that
    Kongo,

    I would agree that Pca is not a subject you would bring up at a cocktail party or business meeting but if the subject comes up or I hear a comment that Pca is a “non-cancer”, slow growth, my 90 year grandfather had Pca, etc..I will general make a comment or two … Since I have 4 sons this is very important to me and the Prostate Cancer Foundation is a great place to be involved in (from my perspective)…

    Peace and the best to you in your journey
  • bdhilton
    bdhilton Member Posts: 850 Member
    #7
    NM said:

    Good post Trew
    You hit the nail on the head. Removing or destroying the cancer if it is called for comes first of course but the after effects can be devastating as well. I had surgery and now no incontinence (lucky there) but no response in the sex part.

    Still take my pills and am thinking about the shots but I mean I am not sure injecting my penis is a route I want to go.

    I have 1 positive note I am still here to think about these things and sometimes laugh about them. But men should go in with both eyes open about the side effects of any prostate cancer treatment.

    Nick 53 and still hoping

    Nick, I have been day
    Nick, I have been day trading since I loss my job over 2 years ago and there is no room for hope...but with PCa and life in general hope is a great thing and never let go..
  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #8
    NM said:

    Good post Trew
    You hit the nail on the head. Removing or destroying the cancer if it is called for comes first of course but the after effects can be devastating as well. I had surgery and now no incontinence (lucky there) but no response in the sex part.

    Still take my pills and am thinking about the shots but I mean I am not sure injecting my penis is a route I want to go.

    I have 1 positive note I am still here to think about these things and sometimes laugh about them. But men should go in with both eyes open about the side effects of any prostate cancer treatment.

    Nick 53 and still hoping

    Chat Room yesterday- WOW!
    I was on the chat room yesterday- with mostly ladies. Effects of cancer were being discussed and the opportunity was there and I mentioned that when "the prostate is removed the pen... is shortened by about an inch or so." None of the ladies imagined that was part of PC surgery. Nor were they aware of the impact with ED and incontence many men face. I think most people just think, "Oh, he had his prostate out" like it was tonsils or the appendix.
    There is lots of room for education on this topic.

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