In February 2024 during a colonoscopy for unrelated gut issues, my gastro surgeon mentioned that my Prostate seemed a little enlarged and I should get it checked.
So off to my GP I went for a gentle digit up the backside. The GP confirmed my Prostate did indeed seem a little enlarged, so a PSA blood test was ordered. For a 45yr old male a normal/healthy PSA level should be below 2.5ng/mL. My reading was 4.0. In isolation this could have been a natural abberation due to other illnesses, or too much bike riding (unlikely for me as I don't know how to ride one).
3months later I had a second PSA blood test to see if it was just a one-off anomaly. Unfortunately it came back at 5.0. Alarmingly my PSA levels were on the rise. My GP made a urgent referral to a urologist. They told me to get an MRI before I had the consult with him.
MRI's are a strange experience. For me it felt like I was receiving an invisible light pummeling of my abdomen alongsude the deafening LOUD assault on my ears. Two days later the urologist called me - from the MRI he was 90% sure it was cancer. No point having a consult him, we were going straight to biopsy. Biopsy was performed in September 2024. My worst fears were confirmed. I had Cancer.
Many dark days followed. Dark thoughts and a general darkness hanging over me day and night. At the time my wife and I had an energetic 4yr old boy and a cute little 2yr old girl. We were just starting to build our family future. This diagnosis was a shock to the entire family. Any time through out the day or night the dark thoughts would creep in. I was not ready to leave my family and I was not ready to leave this world.
My wife and I met with the urologist and went through our options. At 45yr old we were all in agreement - Don't f#ck around with these things, Get them OUT! We opted for complete removal of the prostate. No prostate has it's own consequences, but leaving any remnant of the cancer has greater consequences.
December 2nd 2024 I underwent robototic removal of my entire prostate. 6 incisions, a week of a catheter (not much fun and a scary few days with an unpredictable 2yr old running around), and a mandatory 6 weeks off work with prescribed rest.
When the histologocial findings came back from the lab, more than 40% of the prostate was involved - more than the surgeon had expected. It was mainly Grade 2 but with some Grade 1 extensions at the border. I was hopefully cured, but metastases could still not be ruled out especially with the extensions at the border and Grade 2 still having the ability to spread. Follow-up PSAs would be needed for life.
In Feb 2025 I had my first follow-up PSA. UNDETECTABLE! The RELIEF was immense. In August 2025 my PSA was done again - UNDETECTABLE.
I will have these PSA tests every 6 months for the next 3 years, then yearly after that. We are hoping it remains undetectable, but if not then we are commited to deal with it.
With much of my dark cloud now dissipated by this second undetectable PSA my head space was in the right space to register for Blue September. Hence I have and I'm doing my best to smash out these 1000 push-ups in the month.
So please if you have a family history of Prostate Cancer, are a 45yr or older male, or are just concerned then please get yourself checked. A quick digit up the backside and a simple blood test could save your life. Early Diagnosis Saves Lives.
In February 2024 during a colonoscopy for unrelated gut issues, my gastro surgeon mentioned that my Prostate seemed a little enlarged and I should get it checked.
So off to my GP I went for a gentle digit up the backside. The GP confirmed my Prostate did indeed seem a little enlarged, so a PSA blood test was ordered. For a 45yr old male a normal/healthy PSA level should be below 2.5ng/mL. My reading was 4.0. In isolation this could have been a natural abberation due to other illnesses, or too much bike riding (unlikely for me as I don't know how to ride one).
3months later I had a second PSA blood test to see if it was just a one-off anomaly. Unfortunately it came back at 5.0. Alarmingly my PSA levels were on the rise. My GP made a urgent referral to a urologist. They told me to get an MRI before I had the consult with him.
MRI's are a strange experience. For me it felt like I was receiving an invisible light pummeling of my abdomen alongsude the deafening LOUD assault on my ears. Two days later the urologist called me - from the MRI he was 90% sure it was cancer. No point having a consult him, we were going straight to biopsy. Biopsy was performed in September 2024. My worst fears were confirmed. I had Cancer.
Many dark days followed. Dark thoughts and a general darkness hanging over me day and night. At the time my wife and I had an energetic 4yr old boy and a cute little 2yr old girl. We were just starting to build our family future. This diagnosis was a shock to the entire family. Any time through out the day or night the dark thoughts would creep in. I was not ready to leave my family and I was not ready to leave this world.
My wife and I met with the urologist and went through our options. At 45yr old we were all in agreement - Don't f#ck around with these things, Get them OUT! We opted for complete removal of the prostate. No prostate has it's own consequences, but leaving any remnant of the cancer has greater consequences.
December 2nd 2024 I underwent robototic removal of my entire prostate. 6 incisions, a week of a catheter (not much fun and a scary few days with an unpredictable 2yr old running around), and a mandatory 6 weeks off work with prescribed rest.
When the histologocial findings came back from the lab, more than 40% of the prostate was involved - more than the surgeon had expected. It was mainly Grade 2 but with some Grade 1 extensions at the border. I was hopefully cured, but metastases could still not be ruled out especially with the extensions at the border and Grade 2 still having the ability to spread. Follow-up PSAs would be needed for life.
In Feb 2025 I had my first follow-up PSA. UNDETECTABLE! The RELIEF was immense. In August 2025 my PSA was done again - UNDETECTABLE.
I will have these PSA tests every 6 months for the next 3 years, then yearly after that. We are hoping it remains undetectable, but if not then we are commited to deal with it.
With much of my dark cloud now dissipated by this second undetectable PSA my head space was in the right space to register for Blue September. Hence I have and I'm doing my best to smash out these 1000 push-ups in the month.
So please if you have a family history of Prostate Cancer, are a 45yr or older male, or are just concerned then please get yourself checked. A quick digit up the backside and a simple blood test could save your life. Early Diagnosis Saves Lives.
Holy moly that’s a lot of push ups but l know you can do this from r a great cause and l applaud you James