No dignity, but great care

 So nine days later on 7 August I found myself in an operating theatre on a Sunday afternoon, legs spread and held in stirrups(?) holding my penis and scrotum out of the way with one hand (the alternative was sticky tape!) as doctor performed a biopsy on my prostate.


It turns out that they took 24 cores during that session; I just know it seemed to take a while. Having had a local anaesthetic down behind my balls an ultrasound probe was shoved up my rear to help guide a needle which was poked around collecting samples. They said it shouldn't hurt, but one or two were definitely on the wrong side of the "ouch" line. The best description I can give is feeling like one of the static electricity zappers used on fly bites.

Considering how little dignity was maintained, it was done with great care. and soon I was heading home. If you need a procedure and you get the chance for a Sunday afternoon I can highly recommend it. Far fewer patients and a calmer atmosphere.

Once over the were two side(?) effects to contend with. The first and most uncomfortable was my rectum where the ultrasound probe had resided. While not critical I was very aware of it for a few days.

The next was the blood!. I had been warned that there might be blood in my urine after and indeed there was, quite a heavy discolouration for a few days. I was less prepared for it but did know there might be blood in my stool for a few days too. I am not sure I can fathom how that happened, but it did. Again only a few days.

The bit that threw me was blood in my semen. Initially my semen was like black tar; something I found quite disturbing. It probably is in the paperwork and is more understandable given the prostate's contribution of the majority of the seminal fluid. Still I was unprepared and knocked sideways initially.

For obvious reasons of volume and frequency the blood in my urine and stool cleared much quicker than my semen that still has a "rusty" colouration six weeks later.

As I left the hospital they did say that it would be two to three weeks before they got back to me with the results.

So more waiting............

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