5th September 2016

Nearly 12 months have passed since my Brachytherapy procedure so I thought I would post an update.

I've been busy at work for the past three months, Worked at Excel for a large exhibition & conference then in Berlin for 9 days working on an major education conference. After that I've worked in CTF's warehouse PAT (electrical testing) and checking their assets register. Done a short spell for Eclipse covering holidays for one of their managers at One Whitehall Place, central London. So I've had plenty of exercise and I've been feeling very good.

I lost about 5kgs in weight a couple of months ago but have put on a little since.

I visited Dr Wheatley at the Princess Royal Hospital for a routing checkup for my Prolactinoma. Everything seemed OK, all my blood results were normal (normal for me) so I was quite pleased. I've been experiencing a few problems with my eyesight, nothing serious just the feeling of some slight clouding at times. My peripheral vision is still OK which is something I'm very aware of. The tumour has grown around my optic nerve and a reduction of peripheral vision is a warning sign.

Dr Wheatley arranged an brain MRI scan and I'm awaiting the results. I have a routine appointment with the Doctor next July. I'm continuing to take my usual medication
Cabergoline, Levothyroxine, Tostran and a vitamin D supplement.

I have a planned telephone consultation with Brachytherapy nurses Claire Deering or Doona Higgins at St Lukes later in September. I had a blood test to measure my PSA two weeks ago and my PSA level in now 1.7 ug/L. I was hoping that it would be slightly less, my last was 1.8, but I'm far from worried as before my operation it was 4.1.

Despite the reduction I have been experiencing some issues. I find that I've been getting a strong urge to pee at times resulting in running to the toilet. I've been planning my journeys based around the whereabouts of toilets. Luckily I haven't had any accidents although I have come close on several occasions.

I'm also getting a lot of pain in my penis when I pee. A lot of the nerves pass through the prostate and the swelling does affect sensation. I've lowered my Tamulosin to one capsule every two days but I have noticed a reduction in the urine flow since doing this. I'll speak to the nurses about it.

I'm currently using one Sildenafil tablet every two - three days to help encourage blood flow in my penis. It does work and it seems to help reduce some of the pain I've been experiencing. The side effects have been quite welcome.

I've been enjoying my photography just lately. I took some photographs for the BLMRA 12 hour lawn mower race at Five Oaks, Billingshurst, some photos can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1225587814127222.1073741915.100000280465018&type=1&l=cd0fa0c453

and I've just done some for Horsham's own John O'sullivan at his 'Come on My Sofa' show at the Capitol Theatre last Saturday. I wanted to increase my portfolio of stage shots and I was made very welcome by John and his backstage helpers. It was a very funny evening and John even managed to get me on stage a couple of times. I think I got some good shots and I've posted these on my Facebook page. If you want a look they can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1249577491728254&type=1&l=fad4af5a90

Bev & I are taking a short break this week visiting Christine & Robert in Devon later this week and we're looking forward to seeing the friends we met on holiday in Cancun in February Nick & Ellie who are coming over next week.

Looking forward to seeing Mark & Nicki, Chris & Becky, Alex & Emma sometime soon (and Neil of course).