Problems 

Life was  good.  I was a healthy 51 year old.  I had my own business, I was training for a couple of marathons, I had a positive outlook on life... 

It all started with a blood test.  I had a blood test, a PSA which came back elevated.  That was followed by a rectal examination and a biopsy.  I expected the results would come back all clear.  It wasn’t, I was told I had prostate cancer.  I was devastated.  It’s not a help when people bracket the big C with the big D.  I worried about it for several days and decided to get more information.  The Cancer Society was very helpful.  I got a couple of books and devoured them.  I talked to the Prostate Cancer Helpline about the options.  There was a prostactectomy, the removal of the prostate, external beam radiation and brachytherapy.  Waiting to see what happened wasn’t an option – you don’t wait with cancer.  I wanted it out and as soon as possible.  I decided to go for the operation.

Solutions 

The operation went really well.  I’d never been in hospital before. I was in and out in three days.  It’s not fun living with a catheter.  That had to stay for 17 days.  I played mind games breaking the time into short periods to get through with something nice to look forward to in each, like friends coming to stay.  In the final days I was counting the hours and minutes until the bloody thing came out.  I convalesced at home and gently eased back into business mode.  I came back to the office part time after about 4 weeks and full time after 6 weeks.

Consequences 

I just got back into life again.  I didn’t suffer from any incontinence.  I was given 2 huge bags of sanitary pads but didn’t need to use them, which was great.  The sex life has returned.  It’s different to what it was before but it’s still there.  

I thought it was a positive experience because I found out early.  I’d hate to find out later when it was more advanced.  I had some trauma insurance, which was very handy as a financial buffer.  I thought it’s time to spoil yourself so I went out and bought a jet boat.

Conclusions 

This experience has taught me that your health is really important, you need to look after it like you look after your car.  It’s hard to say what causes this cancer.  I don’t have any “if onlys,” I’m not making any huge life changes.  I eat a normal balanced diet.  I am passionate about helping others in similar circumstances and spreading the word.  I do help with the work of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.  I think you have to give something back – that’s my philosophy.  I think men should have regular check-ups. 

Personally I handle stuff by wanting to find out about things, others may want to run away and hide, it’s your choice.  There’s a huge amount of information out there, it’s a matter of sorting the wheat from the chaff.  Who you talk to is also important.  If they had their treatment five or ten years ago it could be quite different to the treatments available today. For example new radiation machines are now much more focussed with fewer side effects.  Talk to someone who’s had it done recently.