I've been blogging. Has anyone else?

[Pilgrim]

I thought the idea about adding your job name was really good, so how about doing the same thing if you are keeping a blog?

I decided to keep a blog of my experiences. (It's cathartic, even if nobody else finds it helpful - but I hope someone does)

If you have too, then cut and paste my blog's address, and add yours to the bottom of it.

God Bless

Pilgrim

http://manwithalump.blogspot.com

[Vinny]

I like it. We should also modify our blogs to add links to the other blogs, and add a link to this forum if you don't already have one. I have links to a lot of other TC blogs already, but I'm sure there are plenty I have missed.

http://manwithalump.blogspot.com
http://vinnysgotcancer.blogspot.com/

[johanwase]

Vinny,
thank you for signing my guestbook, although you cant read swedish!

You seem to be a man with a lot of courage. Keep on fighting!

[lcachola]

I've been writing a comic strip.

[Vinny]

Interesting comic strip. It's a bit on the weird side, but hey - we all have our own bits of weirdness we project.

It's definitely a great way to express what you went through as a TC patient.

[lcachola]

'Weird' and 'interesting' are definitely a step up from what it was considered when I first introduced it to the Web six years ago. 'Cute but derivative' and even the dreaded 'uncreative' have been included in some of the more critical remarks over the years.

[James]

I was thinking about setting up an official TC-Cancer.com blog. We get emails from folks wanting to post their personal stories and such and I think this might be a good way to do it.

Anyone think this idea is good? My only concern is the "abusers" out there.

Thoughts?

[Don]

Maybe we could follow LAF's lead and put a 1000-1500 word max on each story.....

[DaveUK]

Sorry to but in. (Btw, certainly think it's be useful for the Brits to have somewhere to report their experience of negotiating our health service.)

Pilgrim, can I ask how you're getting on with your falsie, and exactly what type/make it is. Is it sutured? I did post the question on your blog but it didn't appear/you deleted it. I'm in the UK, so wondered how good what's currently on offer is.

[DaveUK]

Oops! I see my question did appear on Pilgrim's blog.

[Pilgrim]

Hi Dave

I couldnt see your question on my blog just now. (Im still getting the hang of the technology) but anyway, I'll answer your question...

The following link lists out some alternative manufacturers.

http://tcrc.acor.org/tclinks7.html

One thing I regretted was not having a choice before the op. If I had my time again I would have asked if I could see / hold samples of the different manufacturers. (It's not very "current NHS" but its very "New labour future NHS" where we are encouraged to think like consumers getting a service who have choices)

I called my specialist nurse, and she tells me it is a french manufactured one (I guess probably the one on the link). They did stitch it in.

In terms of how I'm doing now, I had early problems with pinching, which seem to have pretty much gone away, although I do wear Tight style boxers to make sure of this and get the right support.

There seem to be 2 main types - silicone, or saline filled. I'd be interested to see saline filled, since the silicone one I have is good, a fair match for size, but that little bit firmer than the other one.

They did stich it in. I think it has settled because the scar tissue inside the scotum also holds it in place - although slightly higer than the other one at times (not enough to look odd though)

So all in all I'm pleased I've got one. If it ever needed replacing I'd do my homework to get a good look and feel, and look into the saline filled option - but I'm not about to opt for another bout of surgery at this point, as I dont think it's that big a deal.

Hope that helps

Pilgrim

[DaveUK]

OK, good to hear it's settling in..as it were!

What I've gathered it the silicones are a bit harder, but I got the impression (maybe wrongly) that the salines had shown more sign of bursting/leaking. It seems to be a common complaint that they're too round and too hard. Maybe they're round to reduce wear and tear on the skin. Trouble is, it's unlikely they're going to have a vast selection of models to choose from anyway, and you can't exactly wait around why they order the latest upgrade! I've suddenly had an image of a bunch of blokes meeting to compare implants...."no officer, you don't understand!".

On another (UK) forum a few bods were saying that it was better not stitched because it can tug. I was thinking that real ones do roll around inside the scrotum when you cross your legs and if it's fixed to the scrotum maybe that could be uncomfortable. On the other hand if it's not stitched, I'd be worried where it might end up i.e. inside your abdomen(?).

I still can't make up my mind whether to have one or not. Initially I though yes, but then hearing complaints about some being really uncomfortable, and a lot of women *reportedly* saying they don't care much about that, I'm thinking why have the extra risk of complications and more surgery to get it out. On the other hand, if I decide I want one - there's a couple of studies on the net indicating that mens psychological well being is improved by having one - I could later. But then I really don't like the thought of a scalpel near my scrotum if it's done later.

Anyway, thanks a lot for the info Pilgrim!