Leaky Plumbing

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Wazza
Posts: 37
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2014 9:34 am

Mon Dec 15, 2014 2:53 am

A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. While recuperating and trying to focus on the lighter side of life, I wrote this poem.


Leaky Plumbing

It began when I found I could no longer wee,
especially during the night.
It came out in spits and sometimes in spurts,
and I thought to myself … hell! That doesn’t seem right.

‘Cause when I was finished … I wasn’t you see.
and the drip drip … drip drip … kept bothering me.
So I said to the missus “My plumbing’s affected.”
She said “Darl It’s probably badly connected.

You know - when you start to get long in the tooth,
there are signs to remind you you’re not bullet proof.
I think that it’s time an appointment we make
with the doctor. Let’s do it before it’s too late.

So we did. And when first up Doc put on a glove
I stepped back apace and said “Hang about love!
I hope you’re not thinkin’ what I think that you’re thinkin’.
But he was. And he did. And I tell ya …fair dinkum!

The end of the bed rail I firmly took hold.
I nipped and I tucked and I squirmed and I rolled
‘till at last it was over. I sat up and waited.
While he told me my prostate was largely quite dated.

“It’s not a big problem you’ll need a rebore.
Take the stress off your bladder. Won’t even be sore.
The bit we remove we’ll send off to be checked.
Make sure it’s healthy to keep you on deck.”

But he phoned up next week - and here comes the crunch.
The news he delivered really put me off lunch.
“The pathology’s back and you won’t like the answer.
I’m sorry to say that your prostate has cancer.

There are several treatments you’ve heard of no doubt,
and though I believe we should take it all out,
the final decision is still yours to make.
Think about what’s in store if your prostate I take.”

Then I asked him to tell me what problems I’d face
if the prostate was finally removed from its place.
He told me that guys often raised an objection
when told that they’d no longer get an erection.

So I brought in my wife to assist the decision
and she started to laugh as she spoke with derision.
“I really have only one thing to remark.
He’s an old dog. It tires him even to bark.

It’s been ages since he carried on like a pup.
These days he needs splints to keep it all up.
So if leaving it in still raises a doubt
I agree with you Doc. Just take it all out.

A number of thoughts then rolled round in my head.
But finally I simply chose … not to be dead.
Now my PSA rating has dropped below one
and I’m glad I decided to get the job done.

So if your pipe’s leaky - your wee-wee’s in strife,
see your Doc early. It may just save your life. :D
cynwulf
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Posts: 552
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2013 2:20 pm

Mon Dec 15, 2014 10:05 am

G'day Wazza,
A good approach to the topic, neatly done;as a fellow sufferer I empathise-why don't you send it off to Prostate Cancer UK ?-it might cheer a folk up a bit.
C.
Lackadaisical
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2014 8:39 am

Tue Dec 16, 2014 2:22 am

This is so freaking good! One of the main details I liked was that you were able to rhyme without forcing it, if you know what I mean. Also, I love the telling of such tough story with a bit of a lighter twist, kind of gives it a bit of a certain irony that goes along well with the warning you communicate. I agree with cynwulf, if I was going through such scary problem this would take off my back a bit of the negative feelings for a brighter moment.
Wazza
Posts: 37
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2014 9:34 am

Tue Dec 16, 2014 4:48 am

Thank you cynwolf and Lackadaisical for enjoying the poem and for telling me so. Guys I did something similar in Australia and nothing came of it but I'll give it some thought.
Thanks again
Wazza
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