CANicoll Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Getting old sucks, but the alternative is not exactly appealing, either. Warning - medical stuff below. About two years ago I was diagnosed with an enlarging prostate. Meaning, it was about 2x larger than it should have been. I thought having to get up and go all the time was just what older guys did (I'm 64). Got on some medication which definitely reduced the frequency, which was nice, but was told the meds are not a terrific long-term solution and I was not consistent taking the medication. Got really good at catheterizing myself to avoid a trip to the ER to empty the bladder. Not a great long-term solution, of course. The recommended procedure is something called a Prostatic Artery Embolization. In short, they go in through an artery, usually in the groin, to snake up into the prostate where they inject modules to block the blood flow to parts of the Prostate. Over the span of a month or two, the procedure shrinks the prostate and you get back to normal (or something like that). At least they knock you out for the procedure. I had the procedure on Tuesday morning, but we ran into complications not with the PAE, but with the artery they cut into. It formed a pseudo-embolism. Not something you really want on your femoral artery. Mine was slowly leaking, but obviously, they needed to close it off completely. Fortunately, that was done fairly quickly (and somewhat painlessly) but under some understandable urgency. So a slightly longer rehabilitation of 2-3 weeks instead of 7-10 days. Had a follow up visit today specifically to check on the arterial incisions and all looks good. Will go back next week for another. In the meantime, I'm taking the next couple of weeks off to make sure things heal properly. Too early to start the GB, but too late to start something else so spending the time cleaning the bench and making sure I have the necessary paints.... Take care of yourselves, everyone!! 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landlubber Mike Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 Chris, best wishes on a speedy recovery. Hitting your third paragraph I was like, oh crap! Sounds like you hit a bump there, but thankfully everything seems to be ok. If you need something else to do, maybe you can clean my bench too. It's a disaster rushing to finish the water build in the next three days 🫣 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HubertB Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 Sorry for that, Chris, but unfortunately, this is something that hits all of us, old men 😉 … Although serious, it seems things got put back in order quickly, thank god. As for cleaning the bench, I induced myself into a « keep-it-clean » discipline. Which means I force myself to put back in its place - almost - immediately any instrument I have no immediate use of (yes, some scalpels get in and out of their slot in the Hobbyzone module probably 10 times a day), and I clean the bench at least once a day, at the end of my modelling session. It can be more if it’s been a « dirty » session with lots of sanding dust or shaving scraps. I have a small hand-held vacuum-cleaner next to the bench. It may sound a bit monomaniac, but, once ingrained, it’s a mind-relieving practice Hubert 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bomber_County Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 Chris, sorry to hear your news, hopefully this will make life a little more comfortable……. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CANicoll Posted August 29 Author Share Posted August 29 5 hours ago, Landlubber Mike said: Chris, best wishes on a speedy recovery. Hitting your third paragraph I was like, oh crap! Sounds like you hit a bump there, but thankfully everything seems to be ok. If you need something else to do, maybe you can clean my bench too. It's a disaster rushing to finish the water build in the next three days 🫣 Thanks Mike, definitely a bit of a scare, but the staff were amazing. Calm, communicative and quick to act. I'll pass on cleaning the bench, but thanks for the offer!..I pulled out the Bf 109 so I need to finish cleaning so I can get the pieces laid out. good luck on the water build! Looking forward to seeing that. 4 hours ago, HubertB said: Sorry for that, Chris, but unfortunately, this is something that hits all of us, old men 😉 … Although serious, it seems things got put back in order quickly, thank god. As for cleaning the bench, I induced myself into a « keep-it-clean » discipline. Which means I force myself to put back in its place - almost - immediately any instrument I have no immediate use of (yes, some scalpels get in and out of their slot in the Hobbyzone module probably 10 times a day), and I clean the bench at least once a day, at the end of my modelling session. It can be more if it’s been a « dirty » session with lots of sanding dust or shaving scraps. I have a small hand-held vacuum-cleaner next to the bench. It lmy sound a bit monomaniac, but, once ingrained, it’s a mind-relieving practice Hubert Hubert - Old man plumbing!! Thank you. I am pretty good with that on my tools, like you putting things back and forth several times, but that way I know where things are. I'm sloppier when it comes to cleaning up all of the extra sprues and bits that are increasingly left over from my builds. I've looked at the HobbyZone stuff and like it, but it is out of my price range. 55 minutes ago, Bomber_County said: Chris, sorry to hear your news, hopefully this will make life a little more comfortable……. Thanks - that is the hope. May take a month or two for the results to start filtering in, but after that things should get much better. Just getting over the initial hump is a pain. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinnfb Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 You've got this Chris. Wishing you a speedy recovery . 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CANicoll Posted August 29 Author Share Posted August 29 Thanks Martin! Last night was better, so hopefully on the upswing! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterpools Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 Chris I know this has been an ongoing medical issue and facing it head on in my book, is one tough act. If it were me, I doubt I could have done what you have done. Fingers crossed and wishing you a full recovery my friend. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CANicoll Posted August 29 Author Share Posted August 29 Peter, Thank you but I know you and Diane have suffered much worse and are coming through it with grace. I appreciate the support my friend!! Taking my meds and going back to bed for a while. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottsGT Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 Oh man, sorry to hear this. I will say, sounds like you’re still better off than a complete prostate removal even with your setback. Just like I’m doing right now, take it easy! My wife is always saying us men have it good because we weren’t borne with a uterus. I remind her she had hers removed 20 years ago and is living the good life. Guys on the other hand have a prostate and removing it is a last ditched effort. Not to mention the 3-7 bathroom trips a night and just the function changes due to age. I started watching urologist videos on YouTube about prostate care and I’m now taking anti-oxidant supplements and foods that do the same. It’s just one of those things you never think of until it hits you. I had an older coworker that was having to visit his urologist 3X a week for a digital massage of his prostate. Now talk about an uncomfortable work conversation…. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnB Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 I hope you will have a full recovery and soon Chris! I just turned 77 last week and fortunately have no pressing health issues (fingers crossed!). Take care and get mo betta soon! 🙂 John 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CANicoll Posted August 29 Author Share Posted August 29 Scott, We are definitely on the same page. Last night I was up every 45min to 2 hours, but the bladder/prostate are working better than the previous night (15-45 minutes up. Ugh). If I can get 2 hours sleep in a row I feel like I won the lottery. But it will get better. The procedure is pretty simple, so looking forward to the fix taking hold - 30-60 days apparently. But already better than before with the meds so that helps. Good to hear you are being proactive. Having endured kidney stones that area down there sometimes feel like its 'open for inspection'. LOL. Why do the urology nurses all have to be in their 20's??? of course, at that point the pain is usually so bad it doesn't matter. I feel for your co-worker. Wow. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CANicoll Posted August 29 Author Share Posted August 29 7 minutes ago, JohnB said: I hope you will have a full recovery and soon Chris! I just turned 77 last week and fortunately have no pressing health issues (fingers crossed!). Take care and get mo betta soon! 🙂 John Great to hear John! Thanks and appreciate the wishes. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlrwestSiR Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 Wow Chris! I missed this earlier thinking it was a different thread. Glad to hear you're on the mend. You and Scott really aren't selling retirement you know. 2 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belugawhaleman Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 Sorry to hear of your troubles, Chris. I hope the procedure brings you relief, and you are soon on the path to recovery. As to getting old, my own remedy for this is to avoid looking into the mirror very often.....but because of this my hair always looks a mess 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CANicoll Posted August 30 Author Share Posted August 30 Hair? I left that behind long ago!! Saves me a lot on shampoo and haircuts... Thanks Carl, I'll be better soon! Taking advantage of the time to get ready for the next GB.. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belugawhaleman Posted August 30 Share Posted August 30 3 hours ago, CANicoll said: Hair? I left that behind long ago!! Saves me a lot on shampoo and haircuts... Thanks Carl, I'll be better soon! Taking advantage of the time to get ready for the next GB.. Actually, I only kid myself that I have hair.....only random tufts here and there on my balding head resembling in effect....a fledgling owl. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbetty Posted August 30 Share Posted August 30 i have lots of hair, just in the wrong places.... 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CANicoll Posted August 31 Author Share Posted August 31 On 8/30/2024 at 3:12 AM, blackbetty said: i have lots of hair, just in the wrong places.... And 'cutting and pasting' it doesn't really work...... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottsGT Posted September 1 Share Posted September 1 On 8/29/2024 at 6:39 PM, BlrwestSiR said: Wow Chris! I missed this earlier thinking it was a different thread. Glad to hear you're on the mend. You and Scott really aren't selling retirement you know. Actually the opposite. Retire sooner! Enjoy retired life before the health issues kick in. It’s the main reason my wife gave me the green light at 59. She had coworkers with husbands that were dropping out of life early. My pension was set and health care covered for both of us until Medicare kicks in. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterpools Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 Scott, some mighty good advice. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CANicoll Posted September 2 Author Share Posted September 2 Best advice I've heard in a long time, actually. My mother's side of the family has longevity on their side, but that is also a challenge - I could have 25+ more years to go. Keeping it funded is the issue. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottsGT Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 Sell off the stash? There’s a cool million right there! I kid! But I get what you’re saying. We’ve planned carefully and the wife’s job pays stupid money. She’s a CRNA. (Nurse Anesthetist) I’m eligible to draw my SS after December but our financial planner is checking with our tax guy (his dad) to run the numbers. He’s thinking it will get eaten up with the tax bracket we’re in. Just leave it and let the numbers grow until she retires. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CANicoll Posted September 2 Author Share Posted September 2 I'm also eligible for SS but the longer you wait, the more you get so biding my time for another 3 years I think. If I do pull another 25 years, that extra $$ will be significant... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bomber_County Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 That’s one thing that worries the heck out of me is retiring then the health problems begin. Now at 64 and a bit, still working but working on pulling the handle very very soon and hoping and praying that I can keep myself together to enjoy my sunset years……. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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