Interview 21

Interview 21 visited his GP complaining of an irritation on his penis in early 2011. After detecting a lump he underwent penile surgery with left inguinal lymphadenectomy. Check-ups have now revealed that he may need surgery to the lymph nodes in his right groin.

Interview 21 visited his GP in early 2011 complaining of irritation to his penis. After topical treatment failed to work, a lump was detected and he was referred to his local hospital. After one appointment he was referred to a Specialist Penile Cancer Centre where he was told he had penile cancer. He underwent a partial penectomy with left inguinal lymphadenectomy.

Interview 21 has had the support of his family and friends throughout his ordeal. Regular check-ups have revealed suspicious cells in the lymph node in his right groin which might require surgery.

Interview 21 experiences swelling in his left groin and problems directing the flow of his urine. Other than that he feels well and is wanting to travel to India soon – a trip that he had to postpone owing to his surgery.

 

While things sometimes go through interviewee 21s mind, the cancer hasnt affected his…

Age at interview 74

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 73

Have there been any effects on your self-esteem or confidence?

No, no, no, it’s ok. Nothing affect me that. But sometimes you’re, things can go through your mind. Things go through your mind. Oh you got a cancer, maybe you don’t know what will happen. Something must happen, what, I don’t think about too much.

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When interviewee 21 has an urge to urinate he cannot delay it, he has to go quickly.

Age at interview 74

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 73

Now there’s one thing happened because when I go to pass urine then sometimes I cannot control it. That’s all. Suppose I got to go to toilet when I feel I go to pass urine then I go straight away. I can’t say oh I can wait five o no I can’t wait it.

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Interview 21 was told by his surgeon that he could carry on having sex after the operation. It was approximately two months after the operation before he had sex.

Age at interview 74

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 73

So you’re still enjoying sex after the operation?

Yes. I’m having a sex. I ask my nurse could you please ask the surgeon, how long I [name] sex, he said, there are no problems you can have, enjoy your sex life. Then there is a professor who look after my penis, he gives me treatment right. I ask him again, I said Mr [name] Do I have to perform sex [name]. He said, No, you carry on, you can do what you want to do, that’s all.

So how long was it after the operation before you engaged in sex? How long did you have to wait?

A couple of months I think, two months, eight weeks, nine weeks. Something like that. When there was a rule? And here was stitches, I didn’t think about it. After everything’s clear and early in the morning when it’s erect you feel some, some sort of, these kinds of things you see. So then I went to the hospital, I asked surgeon they say you can enjoy your sex life, no problem.

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Interviewee 21s son paid for a trip to Canada to see relatives but he had to wait a few weeks…

Age at interview 74

Gender Male

Age at diagnosis 73

What kind of support did they give you when you told them?

They gave me every support, every kind of support morally, physically because I’m not, I’m glad I don’t, I’m not working right. My son gave me new Mercedes? For drive he take the old one, give me the new one. Enjoy your lif he said. My relatives lives in Canada and USA, he said, Go there, I pay the ticke. I said o Before I fly because I have twice the operation, one bioscopy, one, this one. I was told they put nuclear in my body right, where if I go to the airport it will detect itwe have to here’s the letter to show them at the airport, no problem. Then I ask the surgeon, I said, I want to go to Canad he said, If you wait a couple of weeks it’s o, because person who had operation sometime they got blood clot, blood clotting. So I said, it’s alright doctor, I’ll not fly yet

So your family helped you enjoy your life?

Yes.

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