How about a Health Update Thread?

Carpediem44DB

Well-Known Member
Aug 18, 2015
3,230
Sanfransico Bay area
Boat Info
2000 Carver 506
2006 44 DB Sedan Bridge
Engines
Volvo TAMD 74 P
Seems many of us are getting to experience the wonders of modern medicine, like it or not. Occasionally members post their little malfunction but then kind of go radio silent.
If you experienced a major malfunction and lived to tell about it but have not mentioned how you are doing, know that many here may wonder how you are doing. So if you are so moved let's get an update from some of you. I considered listing the ones I know of but thought better of it. Any way I hope all is well and you are back at it.
Carpe Diem
 
Well I guess I will start, my PSA numbers continue to climb but with no cancer found.my p gland is still growing. I’ve made it clear that there will not be any major surgery unless pian gets to be a issue. I have another biopsy in two months.

My heart doc tells me one of the four tubes replaced is now 65% blocked. After the bypass and all the fun that went with it I don’t know what I’m going to do there.
 
Well I guess I will start, my PSA numbers continue to climb but with no cancer found.my p gland is still growing. I’ve made it clear that there will not be any major surgery unless pian gets to be a issue. I have another biopsy in two months.

My heart doc tells me one of the four tubes replaced is now 65% blocked. After the bypass and all the fun that went with it I don’t know what I’m going to do there.
Remind us, how long ago was the CABG surgery. Sorry to see the blockages return. I could not imagine going thru another CABG. I guess depending on severity and location, stents can get you several more years.
CD
 
Went through severe I mean severe Diverticulitis. Chronic and ongoing but much much better than before. From that pleasantness developed heart PVC from chronic Vagus nerve irritation. Reduced caffeine and Divert got better so that's getting better too. Until I turned 60 I had never been sick in my life. I am truly blessed so I can not complain.
 
Nice thread, and it's nice of you to inquire about how we're all doing. Thanks.

My prostate cancer seems to be held in check by the meds that I take morning and night. I'm at a point where my visits to my oncologist are now annual visits instead of the every-three-month visits.

PSA? It's supposed to be between 0 and 4. Mine got up to 585, but thanks to a wonderful oncologist, it's now down to .2.

If I do my part with taking care of this tired, old body, then I feel pretty good. The last two days I over did it doing stuff around the house, yard, sprinklers, etc. Now I'm paying for it. I'm feeling unsteady on my feet, legs are feeling weak and stiff so today's a day of not doing much.

All things considered, I feel damn lucky to have found the oncologist that I was referred to, and to be in as good condition as I am most days. Thanks Dr. C.
 
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Went through severe I mean severe Diverticulitis. Chronic and ongoing but much much better than before. From that pleasantness developed heart PVC from chronic Vagus nerve irritation. Reduced caffeine and Divert got better so that's getting better too. Until I turned 60 I had never been sick in my life. I am truly blessed so I can not complain.

Read the story of this girl. Google Lindsey Ess. Quad limb amputee after sepsis from diverticulitis surgery. 1st ever double hand transplant recipient. She's an amazing girl.

As for me, hypertension and struggling to get it under control, high cholesterol. Ruptured both Achilles over the years, but nothing major like some of the guys on here...yet....
 
@dwna1a
I just went thru the PSA numbers and biopsy game over the last five years.
I get a full annual physical and a 6 month both with blood work since I have been on hypertension medicine for several decades. The blood work is primarily to be sure the blood pressure meds are not causing any liver issues. I get a DRE (Digital Rectal Exam) each full physical, and I do have an enlarged prostate.

My PSA was slowly creeping up for the last ten years, five years ago broke the 4.0 threshold.
GP and Urologist recommended biopsy when I hit 4.5 four years ago. Biopsy came back clear.
PSA numbers kept creeping up, this year hit 8 and again was recommended get a biopsy.

Now that first biopsy for me was excruciatingly painful. Some people don't have much problem with it.
And I have a pretty high pain threshold, I was a mechanic for over 25 years and have had smashed fingers, broken bones, lacerations and stitches. I even got thrown from a horse and technically broke my back, L1 vertebrate compression fracture. None of that came close to that biopsy. My finger prints are still in that exam table I swear.

So was not looking forward to the biopsy, did some research.
Between 4.0 and 10.0 chance of cancer is 25%, over 10 chance is 50%
Needle biopsy is only 43% accurate for finding prostate cancer. Problem is they shoot you six or twelve times. If they hit the tumor they get a firm diagnosis. If they miss it comes back clear. If you don't have a tumor of course it comes back clear too.

Found out MRI is 97% accurate AND Radiologist can tell size, location and if slow or aggressive form. But it is much more expensive. No brainer for me got doctor to see if insurance would approve MRI they did. I was ready to just pay it myself.

Got the MRI three weeks ago and results came back the next week.
Clear no signs of cancer at all, so I most likely have BHP (benign enlarge prostate)

Will keep an eye on the numbers to be sure. But was certainly a load off my mind.

If you can get your insurance to approve an MRI over biopsy.
 
In the last few years:

Cut on finger (working on the Torinos) led to staff infection. First they were going to amputate my right arm at shoulder. Wife said HELL NO, 4 surgeries in 9 days to flush it out. Went from there to amputating at the elbow to just the hand, then just the finger that started it, then everyrthing saved except I shoot a really crooked bird with my right hand.

Then, oral cancer ( my fault completely), 12 hrs surgery, don't look quite like I used to, lost 30lbs, won't come back. Anethesia for that long has destroyed my memory from where it was. Numb still from the bottom of my ears to my shoulders-no feeling at all, you could stab me and I would not feel it.

Last year helping a tech install a new 150K press brake, he made an error and it came crashing down. I noticed it while I was preparing the front for anchoring. I went back in a crab crawl and yelled at the tech to get the hell away. It (30K lbs) landed on a pelican case the tech had put in front of the press. When it stopped my legs were under it about halfway up to my knees. I had to wriggle out from under it. I was very lucky, and the tech was lucky as well, he had his back to the press when it came down. And I pushed him away.

Other than that I'm pretty good.

Some things make you thankful.
 
I don’t know about this….. I am not a fan of talking about what’s wrong with you. Older people tend to let themselves get consumed with what’s wrong and that’s all they talk about. Who cares…. Get it fixed and move on
 
Remind us, how long ago was the CABG surgery. Sorry to see the blockages return. I could not imagine going thru another CABG. I guess depending on severity and location, stents can get you several more years.
CD

Feb / March was my 4th year

My PSA, I wish it was creeping up. It doubled in three months.
I don’t worry so much these days about my health but I do remember the heart surgery and the recovery. I don’t want my wife and family doing all that again.
 
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Nothing major (knock on wood) but had hernia surgery (middle of belly) the end of February. Had it for over 10 years but finally decided to get it fixed.
 
I don’t know about this….. I am not a fan of talking about what’s wrong with you. Older people tend to let themselves get consumed with what’s wrong and that’s all they talk about. Who cares…. Get it fixed and move on
Thread was not intended to be a 'woe is me' thread just a place to give a shout out or receive well wishes from friends that may not know of but care about their boat buds major events. I agree that getting fixed and on with life is the best way to go but having a little moral support can't hurt either.
Its all good
CD
 
Thread was not intended to be a 'woe is me' thread just a place to give a shout out or receive well wishes from friends that may not know of but care about their boat buds major events. I agree that getting fixed and on with life is the best way to go but having a little moral support can't hurt either.
Its all good
CD
Ya I know…. Your heart is in the right place. Just a pet peeve of mine
 
Yeah I don't want to sit around and bemoan myself like the old folks did when I was a kid. Got a couple friends like that, when that discussion starts, I leave the room.
 
Well I guess I will start, my PSA numbers continue to climb but with no cancer found.my p gland is still growing. I’ve made it clear that there will not be any major surgery unless pian gets to be a issue. I have another biopsy in two months.

My heart doc tells me one of the four tubes replaced is now 65% blocked. After the bypass and all the fun that went with it I don’t know what I’m going to do there.

Cant he stent it? It is very common for grafts to reocclude but if only one is 65% and the others ok you're basically ok.
Ask about a stent. Good luck!
 
HA back in march. 97% and 65%. Two stents. It has been a long climb up out of the hole, but I'm starting to feel somewhat normal again. Now on 4 new pills a day and a stricter diet. The good news is I've dropped almost 20 lbs.
 
HA back in march. 97% and 65%. Two stents. It has been a long climb up out of the hole, but I'm starting to feel somewhat normal again. Now on 4 new pills a day and a stricter diet. The good news is I've dropped almost 20 lbs.
Great to here you are improving @bobeast. Won’t be seeing you guys this summer as I’ll be recouping after my by-pass tomorrow morning. Hope to get up there maybe late autumn.
Keep up the good fight.
Carpe Diem
 
Something to keep in mind with this discussion...old age is a privilege denied to many...my MIL passed at 48 in her sleep and my wife wonders how long she has left...
 
Great to here you are improving @bobeast. Won’t be seeing you guys this summer as I’ll be recouping after my by-pass tomorrow morning. Hope to get up there maybe late autumn.
Keep up the good fight.
Carpe Diem

Thanks. Me and mine will be pulling for you.
 

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