Better News
Last week I was waiting for my PET scan results and hoping that the cancer hadn’t spread. This week, since Monday afternoon I can celebrate a better outcome after the doctor told me the PET scans have shown no signs of the cancer spreading. I still have to have treatment and I have chosen an operation which will remove my prostate but I’m told from other men who have had it and of course the doctor that the
success rate is very high. Although certain things will never be the same and my lifestyle will change for a few months the chance of living a normal life is good.
Since this has come to the attention of my friends in this newsletter
and me talking about it to others it’s amazing how many men have gone through the same ordeal. Most are back doing what they used to do and have a pretty positive outlook.
Although I haven’t lost any sleep worrying about it in the last
few weeks, knowing the cancer hasn’t spread is not only a relief but I now have a defined path ahead and a plan put in place, so with the steps that I have to follow I can see a bright future at the end of the tunnel.
I have nearly 4
weeks before the operation so in this time I will be keeping fit, keeping healthy and avoiding anything that will fatigue me, wear me out, break my bones or give me man flu. I want to be in the best health on the day of the operation which is the 6th September. So in the meantime don’t ask me to climb Mt Everest or paddle a grade 5 rapid.
In the time after the operation I will be forced to rest, take it easy but I have lots of writing to do so the time will fly by and I will be back to exercising in no time.
I’m surprised how easy it has been to talk about it, not just to other men who have been through it, but to men and women who are not affected. Although I'm a quiet person, I think its important to talk and not hide away.
I hope that those men who
haven’t had a PSA check, will get on to it and have a check sooner than later. It’s better to catch it early.
I would like to thank all those people who have wished me well through emails, text messages and on the street. It’s pretty touching to get so many well-wishers. Even more so when I received a 3 page hand written moving letter personally delivered to my door.
