Dispirited and disappointed

 I rarely feel low. Today I do. I've not really felt like this for a while. There are several reasons. Probably the biggest is the fact that I damaged my shoulder a month ago and it is not improving. My physio told me last week to ice it four times a day and lift nothing heavy for three weeks (difficult with my job). Although at times it doesn't hurt at all, when I turn over in my sleep, it is rather painful and wakes me up.

The second reason is I had a PSA test yesterday and I always get anxious as I wait to see whether or not I am still free of prostate cancer. I really am not in the mood for more treatment. I've no reason to feel negative, but it always plays on my mind. Add that to the bad shoulder and it is not great.

Then there is the terribly sad news that Pat Collier, bassplayer in seminal punk band The Vibrators passed away. The news broke yesterday. Normally I'd have put a little memorial page together, but I was feeling too down to bother. Pat Collier was, like me, an ex pupil of Orange Hill, a musician, a studio owner and a music producer. If you don't know his work from The Vibrators, you will probably be familiar with Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and The Waves which was produced by Pat. He was best mates with my old Geography teacher at Orange Hill, Dave Harman, who was also an old boy. Many people assume I must have known Pat, but our paths never really crossed. He owned Alaska Studios in Waterloo and I had little reason to go there as I had my own. I recommended him to a few people over the years as a producer as I knew he was good and our drummer Gray Ramsey and our producer Boz Boorer knew him well. He did once ring me up, say thanks and said he'd buy me a beer when I recommended someone to him, but it never happened. I regret that now. When we opened our own recording facilities in 1998, we stopped sending people down to him. Puremania by The Vibrators, which Pat appeared on was the first punk album I bought. Pat wrote and sang a few of the songs. It is a go to cheer me up album, so his passing has really hit me. 

And finally, yesterday we had a statement form Rachel Reeve, the new chancellor. I have been ambivalent about Labour under Sir Keir Starmer. I had no doubt they would be an improvement on the Tories under Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, but I was worried that they would waste the massive opportunity they have, with a massive majority, to sort this country out. Yesterday, that changed to dejection. It is now clear to me that Reeve is a cowardly individual, who is totally unprepared to grap the nettle that needs to be grabbed to sort the country out. The headline news from her statement is that she's going to give not very well off pensioners a kicking by taking away their winter fuel allowance and she's cancelling a whole bunch of much needed infrastructure projects. I get that Boris Johnson's scheme to build 40 new hospitals was hare brained and ill thought out, but the hospitals are needed and she had an excellent chance to sort the plan out and properly fund it.As to scrapping road and rail projects, this is an act of national self harm. We need these to get us and keep us moving. You may say "Well where will the cash come from? The magic money tree?". The answer is quite simple "No, it should come from clamping down on multi national companies tax avoidance schemes". Companies set up massively complicated schemes to ensure they pay minimal tax on profits made in the UK. I am all for companies making profits, but those profits should be taxed in the UK, so that we can all benefit from the cash. The chancellor has clearly decided that she wants to stay in with the rich vested interests in the City, rather than the people who vote in their millions for Labour. I see nothing at all wrong when those with the deepest pockets pay a bit more. The multi national companies that spirit cash out of the UK to offshore tax havens deserve no sympathy. I'd personally like to see countries across the planet cooperate to clamp down on avoidance, but we should start here. I'd also like to see additional Council Tax bands introduced, so people in mansions pay a bit more for the privilege. That would give local authorities more cash, something they desperately need. They should also be massively taxing water companies that pollute and dump sewage into our rivers and streams. It seems to me that Reeve is scared of upsetting big business. 

I totally get that the Tories have left a massive mess to sort out. I get that actually passing laws to get corporations to pay tax on UK profits in the UK is not simple and it is far easier to clobber pensioners, but it is quite wrong. I don't qualify for  a fuel allowance as I won't be old enough for a few years, but it is plain wrong. 

All in all, I feel rather dispirited and disappointed.  Anyway, RIP Pat Collier, here is the rather good Petrol from Puremania, that Pat wrote and sung

Rog T's Cancer Blog - Radical Prostatectomy nine months on

Last week, I had my post op, nine month PSA test. In truth, I was slightly edgy. Every time I've felt like I'm winning, I've had a knock back, so I was not exactly serene. My previous two tests have indicated no cancer. I am not sure when, if ever, I can say I have been cured, but I'm guessing that nine months is too early. The good news is the level is undetectable. The news cannot be any better. 

The next step is to have a chat with my consultant. I would be surprised if he says anything other than "This is very good news". We will then discuss my continence, which is also pretty good. I've not really had any issues since the cathetar has been removed, except for when I've been silly with alcohol. Even that is improving. The only small issue is when I pee, if I forget to count to ten when I finish, sometimes a bit comes out when I tuck in. Then we'll discuss sexual function. That is slowly returning with the aid of Cialis. I had hoped it would be quicker, but we are getting there. 

I've had a couple of chats with mates who are around my age. I mentioned this and they told me that they needed  Cialis and they hadn't had a prostatecomy and reminded me I wasn't 18 anymore. I do get this, but as I was 100% functional until the op, I do feel I should be doing better, no matter how unrealistic this is. One thing I've found, which wasn't true before, is that if I drink any amount of alcohol, then the cialis doesn't work. A glass of wine or a pint is OK, but any more and forget it. 

And finally, there is the state of my mental health. I think it is fair to say that the operation had a huge effect on this. I would say I'm 85% back to where I was. If you'd asked me on Friday, I'd have said I'm 100% but the events at Hadley FC on Saturday shook me. Seeing a young man of 20, in his prime, keel over with a cardiac arrest really upset me. I can't say that I've 100% got my composure back. I've been feeling rather vulnerable. I suspect that before the op, I'd have not felt quite the same. I'd have been upset, but not feeling anxious and depressed about it three days later.

Recently, I've been on a real high. My band, The False Dots, have been on a bit of a roll. We did a wonderful gig on Friday night, but in truth, I've not felt like shouting about what a great band we are and doing the usual stuff I do.God willing, this malaise will pass and I'll my glass will appear more half full than half empty as I feel today. Having got some great news, I should be feeling ecstatic today, and reading on BBC News that Jack Marshall is doing well has certainly been good news, I am still feeling a bit anxious and lethargic. This is nothing major and having a bit of a cold doesn't help. I just don't feel that I bounce back as quickly from things since the op.

And as I move away (hopefully) from prostate cancer being an active medical issue for me, all I can really say is that I am extremely lucky. Heaven only knows where I'd be if I hadn't had a PSA screening in 2011. As a result of the HIFU treatment in 2016 and the RARP treatment last year, what could have been a really serious issue is under control. I was watching "The Piano" on Sunday with my wife and they featured someone who's brother, who I suspect was my age, had died of prostate cancer. I dodged that bullet, so I really have a lot to be thankful for. 

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About Rog T's cancer blog.

For those of you who are regular readers and have read the previous posts on Cancer, there's what this is all about. I write this blog because knowledge is power and if you know what you are dealing with, you have more weapons in the locker to fight it. It is a personal view, I'm not medically qualified. This is for the sole purpose of information for those who are interested.This is the latest installment in my occasional series about how I'm adjusting to living with a big C in my life. 

 For those of you who aren't, here's a quick summary. I'm 61 years old and in October 2011 I had a prostate biopsy following two "slightly high" PSA tests - 2.8 & 4.1. The biopsy took ten tissue samples and one of these showed a "low grade cancer" which gave me a 3+3 on the Gleason scale. I was put on a program of active monitoring. In early February, I got the results of the a PSA test - down to 3.5 and an MRI scan which found absolutely nothing, two more tests in 2012 were at 3.5 and 3.9, in 2013 my test was 4.0, Jan 2014 was 3.8, August 2014 was 4.0, February 2015 it was up to 5.5 and my latest in August 2015 was down again at 4.6. In October 2015 I had a transperinial Prostate biopsy, that revealed higher grade cancer and my Gleason score was raised to 3+4 (Small mass + more aggressive cancer). On 22nd Jan 2016 I had HIFU (Hi Intensity Focused Ultrasound) treatment at UCHL). 

My post procedure PSA in May was 4.0 which was down, followed by 3.7 in August, and 3.5 in October which means that the direction is positive . However in January the follow up MRI revealed "something unusual which requires investigation" After a follow up biopsy, it appeared this was nothing to worry about. My two most recent PSA tests were Ok (3.7 and 4.6) and an MRI scan in March was very positive. A PSA in October 2019 was 4.6, so stable and good news, the last in May 2020 was 5.45 a small rise, so worrying, however after a review against the most recent MRI, it was decided that this was fine. This was followed by two in February 2022 was 6.7 and October 2022 was 6.6 was stable. 

In March 2023 had an MRI scan that showed 'significant change'. This lead to a biopsy that indicated a tumour of 4mm that had a gleason score of 4+4. A PSA test in June saw a rise to 12. On 9th August 2023 I had a RARP radcical prostatectomy procedure that, God willing, has addressed it. 

Got the picture?

Here is a song I wrote to raise awareness amongst men of the need to get checked for Prostate Cancer

Pain diminishing, tiredness increasing - Post Prostate removal day 12

It's now 12 days since I hadwht my prostate removed at the London Bridge hospital. In two days I will have my catheter removed and will know how it has affected my continence and what sort of erectile function I have. The good news is that there is almost no residual pain, although I can only sit down for short periods as my perineal area becomes sore very quilckly. Oddly I did not notice this until last Thursday and if anything it has become worse. This is now the only real pain that is bothering me, apart from the odd bit of irritation from the catheter. What has become far more pronounced is the tiredness. This has actually been far worse this weekend than it was the first weekend after I was released from hospital. I've set myself a target of walking two miles a day and yesterday this was a real struggle. 

I spent most of the day watching football and dozing off. I've noticed that my urine has also been much pinker than it was for much of last week. It is not dark red, but there is definitely still a small amount of bleeding taking place. From reviewing my literature, I've concluded that this is nothing to worry about, although I will discuss with the team when I see them on Wednesday.

So far today, I've not felt as tired. Clare and I took the dogs to Lyndhurst Park for the first time since I had surgery. I didn't find it too bad, but had a sit down on a bench at the park whilst she through the ball for the dogs. 

I had hoped to have returned to work today, but got cover in as I do not want to overdo it. Duing the early part of last week, I thought I'd be fine, but I have realised that I do need to take this all rather easy. I do hope that the perineal pain dimishes considerably over the next few days, as I'm due to take a short break in France at the end of the week.

I've still not had a drink and TBH I've no desire for one. We did manage a takeaway curry and some fish and chips over the weekend, although my apetite is not fully recovered. I'm not off my food, but I am not really feeling very hungry either. 

I've started following a couple of Prostate support groups on Facebook. It is interesting to note the number of female partners who post. It brought home just how difficult PC is for partners. I've realised that my early detection has (thus far) spared me some very difficult issues. Reading some of the stories from men and their partners with stage 4 PC are heartbreaking. The last few months have been tough, but I'd far rather be able to make choices that I've been given than be in the position of some of the poor chaps who's stories I've been reading. One of the missions of this blog is to get as many men as possible over 50 to get a PSA test. It's not perfect, my last few months haven't been fun, but the disease is not in my lymph nodes, glands or bones. I am hoping that the op will keep it that way.

To sum up, I'm recovering, not quite as fast as I hoped, but I am recovering. Wednesday is the big day when I will really have some idea where I am. 

I wrote a little song to encourage guys to get a test, before they get symptoms. Please pass the message on.

The False Dots · Dont be scared of a finger up your bum

.--- About this feature

For those of you who are regular readers and have read the previous posts on Cancer, there's what this is all about. I write this blog because knowledge is power and if you know what you are dealing with, you have more weapons in the locker to fight it. It is a personal view, I'm not medically qualified. This is for the sole purpose of information for those who are interested.This is the latest installment in my occasional series about how I'm adjusting to living with a big C in my life.  For those of you who aren't, here's a quick summary. I'm 60 years old and in October 2011 I  had a prostate biopsy following two "slightly high" PSA tests - 2.8 & 4.1. The biopsy took ten tissue samples and one of these showed a "low grade cancer" which gave me a 3+3 on the Gleason scale. I was put on a program of active monitoring.  In early February, I got the results of the a PSA test - down to 3.5 and an MRI scan which found absolutely nothing, two more tests in 2012 were at 3.5 and 3.9, in 2013 my test was 4.0, Jan 2014 was 3.8, August 2014 was 4.0,  February 2015 it was  up to 5.5  and my latest in August 2015 was down again at 4.6. In October 2015 I had a transperinial Prostate biopsy, that revealed higher grade cancer and my Gleason score was raised to 3+4 (Small mass + more aggressive cancer). On 22nd Jan 2016 I had HIFU (Hi Intensity Focused Ultrasound) treatment at UCHL). My post procedure PSA in May was 4.0 which was down, followed by 3.7 in August, and 3.5 in October  which means that the direction is positive . However in January the follow up MRI revealed "something unusual which requires investigation" After a follow up biopsy, it appeared this was nothing to worry about. My two most recent PSA tests were Ok (3.7 and 4.6) and an MRI scan in March was very positive. A  PSA in October 2019 was 4.6, so stable and good news, the last in May 2020 was 5.45 a small rise, so worrying, however after a review against the most recent MRI, it was decided that this was fine. My two latest ones in February 2022 was 6.7 and October 2022 was 6.6 was stable. My MRI in March 2022 showed 'a change' so I am now awaiting a biopsy. I had a PSA test in late March which also showed a marked increase to 10.3. I had an MRI scan that showed 'significant change'. This lead to a biopsy that indicated a tumour of 4mm that had a gleason score of 4+4. A PSA test in June saw a rise to 12. I saw the  surgical and oncology team to weigh up the options. I was none to impressed with the UCL surgical team and their attitude to my concerns about impotence. They told me that due to my previous HiFU treatment, nerve sparing was not an option. I was very much leaning towards radiotherapy, when a friend recommended a second surgical opinion. I saw Professor Christopher Eden, who advised that using the Neurosafe procedure, I would have a good chance of retaining erectile function. I decided on this option and had a radical prostatectamy on Weds 9th August 2023. 

Things are not great but they are not dire either. 

 I've no symptoms apart from needing to wee quite regularly and sadly for a few people, if I'm gonna die soon, it (hopefully) won't be from Prostate cancer. Got the picture?

Mr Tichborne, the result of your Prostate Biopsy is ....

So those of you who are regular readers of the blog will know (and thanks for all the support) that I had a Prostate biopsy a couple of weeks ago and today was the Big "C" day. In the various information I've read,  it said that for people with a PSA between 4-10, there is a 1 in 5 chance that you'll have the dreaded "C". I guess those are odds I'd take be happy to see for a team playing against Manchester City. You can currently get odds of 5/1 on Manchester City to beat Newcastle 2-0 with Sky Bet. I liked these odds, but when you are playing Russian roulette, the odds suddenly seem far more real - if I could avoid it, I wouldn't take a bet against cancer at all.

So anyway, as the appointment was at 9.50 at Barnet General, I had the luxury of a lie in. My usual tasty breakfast of a bowl of fruit and a bowl of porridge was at 9am instead of 7.15 am. Was I worried? Not really. With no symptoms and good odds, I've all along felt that it is good to have the peace of mind of knowing. So off I went. As Barnet General charge an extortionate £4 to park, I always park 1/2 a mile away in a sideroad and walk. As I walked up Wellhouse Lane, with the autumnal wind blowing and the rain lighly licking my face exlaimed "It's a fine day  for a hangin" with a grin, much to the bemusement of a nurse having a crafty fag.

As I enter the grounds of the hospital, I see someones Oyster card and library card lying in the bushes. I instinctively pick it up and hand it in at reception. "Thank you" the lady said. Always good to keep your Karma topped up on such occasions. As I was early, I had taken the Daily Express and read the views of Mr Yaya Toure on the current Manchester City team. He thinks that we have the two best teams in the premiership and that the second team would qualify for the Champions League. He's probably right. A good omen indeed.

Slightly early, my name was called. In I go and I sit down. The good doctor calmly announces "You had 10 sticks taken (Tissue samples). One from the left came back as slightly abnormal and one from the right right had 2mm of low grade cancerous tissue. We grade these on the Gleason scale and this is a 3/3, which is the most benign that we actually measure as a cancer". At this moment a rather strange thought popped into my head. Maybe I should write a song in 3/3 time in tribute to my problematic prostate. The cancer nurse was then summoned in to discuss all of the options. As there is a small amount of cancer and it is not of an aggressive type, it was suggested that a follow up biopsy and active monitoring may be the order of the day. I replied "I really did not enjoy the prostate biopsy and would rather have a look at another option if possible." The doctor asked whether it was the procedure or the side effects? -  I replied "Both". He suggested that maybe a scan could help. This seemed sensible. He agreed that it may help indicate where a follow up biopsy could be best targetted. He then explained that approx 30% of post mortems of men my age who die of unrelated causes show similar early stage cancers. He explained that if it had gone undetected, I'd probably have had no symptoms for ten years. The good news is that as it has been caught early, it can be monitored and dealt with.

There are options for treatment immediately, but there are side effects and implications for these. Given that I have no symptoms and a non problematic cancer at the moment, my inclination is to wait. We discussed changes to diet. It seems that dairy products can irritate it (high amounts of hormones) and various foodstuffs - brocolli, Pomagranite juice, tomato, green tea and watercress have been reported as slowing tumour growth. Much as I love cheese, I think that this will now become a very occasional treat. I intend to read up more on the nutritional aspects of this and I will report them here. My strategy would be to have a  scan to get a better assessment of tumour size. Assuming this doesn't spring a nasty surprise, have regular PSA tests and maybe an annual biopsy. At the time when it appears that the cancer is becoming less benign, I will then consider the various treatment options.

It is a bit daunting to be given the packs of info for MacMillan Cancer nurses. I feel a bit of a fraud and it all feels a bit unreal. The key thing is I'm not ill as such. I don't have symptoms, I don't feel unwell. If I make sensible lifestyle choices to my diet, it may have no effect on my life expectency whatsoever. What is odd is that I've always thought such news would freak me out, but I don't feel overly concerned right now. I've not discounted the fact that this could be denial, but I can't see what there is to deny.

I suppose the biggest irony of the lot is that as I typed this, an email from MacMillan Cancer relief popped into my inbox. It suggested I do this :-

London to Paris cycling challenge

4-8 July 2012 One of the most iconic rides in the world, you’ll cover nearly 500km in just four days and be part of a large team experiencing the undulations, flats and beautiful scenery of northern France. Finishing up under the Eiffel Tower in Paris, you will experience cycling down the famous Champs Elysées and wheeling around the Arc de Triomphe as part of our Macmillan peloton. Our most popular cycling challenge, you can find out more at macmillan.org.uk/londontoparis.

My first thought? Is it morally acceptable to campaign for a charity, when you are a beneficiary (not that I'm going to be needing MacMillan support any time soon). I've long supported MacMillan and other charities, so I am not going to stop now. I'm minded to do this run and once again ask my generous blog readers, who helped us raise £500 for Cancer research UK earlier this year to dip into your pockets again.

We live in an age where we have the technology and the scientific means to deal with many illnesses that 100 years ago where lethal. In many cases the secret is early detection. I've had my problems diagnosed early. As such, all things being equal, I will live longer than anyone my age who has exactly the same condition as me, but finds out about it when the symptoms blow up in 5, 10 or 15 years. That is why we should all use the fantastic services of the NHS to ensure we are screened for such illnesses.

And a final word on the NHS. One of the questions I asked, as I have private health insurance trhough my company, is whether or not the treatment and prognosis was in any way different if I used my private medical insurance. I was most heartened that the response came back "Most certainly not. When we are dealing with Cancer we give you the best treatment we can regardless of your ability to pay for private treatment".

When I was told that I felt very proud to be British and very proud of the NHS.Today has been a rough day. I've had far worse though.

PSA tests and Prostate biopsy - The blog you don't want to read

November the 8th. On that day I will either drink a lot of alcohol to celebrate or my life will presumably fundamentally change. That is the day I get the result of a Prostate biopsy. It has taken me from last Tuesday, when I was told I needed it, until today, to get my head around it. Some of us keep these things private. That was my first inclination, but hey, I'm a blogger - loud and proud. It would be a cop out to say nothing. It's not in my nature. I was in my favourite cafe, having a cup of tea and some advice my Dad gave me many years ago came to me. "Everything happens for a reason, if a bad thing happens to you and you can make a good thing happen to someone else, then you have a moral responsibility to do it". It seems that there isn't a wealth of information on the subject out there. The doctors always say "Do you have any questions" but generally you haven't thought of the most important ones at the time. I'm writing this in the hope that

a) It helps a few people understand whats happening
b) Anyone who has anything useful to add can leave a comment
c) Answers a few of those questions that you forgot to ask

So how did it start? In May I went to see the doctor because I had a problem with my knee and needed a referal for a consultant. He commented that he hadn't seen me for a while and suggested that as I was 49 an "MOT" would be a good idea. So I rolled up and had a plethora of blood tests.

When I went back for the good news, he said the PSA test has come back slightly raised. What is that, I asked. It is a new test which can indicate Prostate Cancer. At your age, it should be under 2.1 and it's 2.8. We discussed it and he advised a trip to the Urology department. He went on to explain that generally people with Prostate Cancer would have a far higher PSA, but it is best to be cautious.

So I went to see the consultant,w ho advised that the usual course of action is a course of anti-biotics and a follow up test. He advised that the test is pretty unreliable and can vary on a day to day basis. So in August I took the Anti Biotics and gave some more blood. The appointment was changed a couple of times and I eventually went back last Tuesday. The consultant said "Well the urine test was clear, but your PSA has gone up to 4.1. As this is on an upwards curve, I'd recommend a Prostate biopsy." We discussed the options and he advised that this was a logical next step. His advice was that it was unlikely given the state of my prostate and the relatively low reading that I'd have anything requiring radical surgery, but the earlier these things are caught, the better. He said that for many people with early stage prostate cancer all that happens is that it is monitored. I must admit I was shocked. I had expected the test to come back as OK. I was phoned later in the afternoon and the procedure was booked for last Saturday.

I'd not given any thought to what it entails and I'd not thought  to ask. I'd had a leaflet that explained "afterwards there may be some blood in stools, semen and urine". I certainly hadn't thought how this might affect me. It also said it would be done under local anaestic (ie I'd be awake). So on Saturday I rocked up for the appointment at Barnet Hospital. I changed into a gown and was told that they were running late. I sat in the waiting room, watching the saturday cooking show. Quite surreal really. A certain gallows humour amongst the other poor mugs pervaded. I suspect that the British have a fundamentally different approach to such problems than most nations. Bad jokes was order of the day and a general mood of mutual support "Don't worry, I've had four of them, it's horrible". I felt like a condemned man.

Into the treatment room. Again, I hadn't realised what the treatment consisted of. They stick something that looks like one of the spark machines that lights gas hobs up you bum and snip bits off your prostate. It makes a similar noise as well. The local anaesthetic is applied first. You still feel something. It is far more unpleasant than it is painful. After the fourth click, I asked "how many do you actually take?" I'd thought they took 1. The answer came back "10". This didn't make me feel happy and I wished I'd been given the option of something to dope me up. I will most certainly ask if that is an option if I ever have to have another one. After the 10th snip, they said "Now we'll adminster an anti biotic suppository". After that I lay on my back and got the good news about the side effects. "You'll be peeing blood for a few days and there will be plenty of blood when you do a poo. You'll also find clots and fresh blood in your semen". How long for? "For some people a few days, for some people several weeks". It's now Tuesday and so far I get a small amount of blood maybe 50% of the time when I pee. The blood in the stools was bad on the first day. As to the semen? I've been too scared to even think about that so far. I didn't ask how long you should leave it before testing the equipment. The consensus on the internet seems to be 3-4 days. I must say so far I'm not ready to cross that bridge as it is bad enough with the blood in the pee (even though it is a small amount).

So what should I have asked?
a) Can I be knocked out or at least doped up?
b) When is it safe to have sex/masturbate?
c) How many samples will they take?
e) What happens if the test comes back as negative. What happens then?
f) How much fluid should I drink (I've been drinking as much water as possible)?
g) What should I avoid?

In answer to g) The doctor told me not to play football or go to the gym for at least a week. If they had told me before, I could have cancelled my training session today a little earlier. Fortunately I had cancelled our Sunday night five a side already, but they should have notified me before.

Whatever happens, I'll be glad I had the tests. The earlier that anything is found the better. If there is nothing, then they have a baseline to monitor my levels going forward. I've found out that approx 1 in 5 people with a PSA between 4-10 have Prostate Cancer. As I'm at the bottom end of that, the odds are not too worrying. The examination said it was normal sized, so again that makes me cautiously hopeful.

If the news is bad then if nothing else, I've caught it far earlier than if I'd waited till  I had symptoms. As I've a family, even if the news is terrible, it means that I can sort things out in an orderly fashion. Sadly many people believe that burying their heads in the sand is the answer. It isn't. It just makes a bad situation worse and reduces any treatment options that may crop up. I hope to God that the tests come back all clear. If they don't then that bridge will be crossed at the time. I'm not worried right now although it is a bit of a black cloud on the horizon.

My advice? If you are approaching (or older than) 50 and you've not been to the doctor for a few years, get yourself an MOT. I really did not enjoy any of what I described above, but statistically you should be fine. I have no symptoms of anything, so don't assume that because you feel OK everything is OK. We live in an age where medical science can sort many things out. We live in a country where sorting it out won't bankrupt us. We are lucky. God Bless the NHS !