Don’t Fear the Big “C”

Ten or fifteen years ago, if one got a diagnosis of Cancer, if a family member or friend did, it was thought to be a death sentence.  In fact, I understand prostate cancer was the second greatest cause of death, after heart disease, within in UK males until recently.

I write this a day after completing a four+ week radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer. So, am I worried? In fact, no. Today there is, I am lead to believe, a 95% probability of full remission given this treatment, and even if this has not worked, there remains other options.

In short, therefore, I am really very upbeat and would love to impart that optimism to anyone else who has also been diagnosed with any cancer. There is, and always will be, hope. My wife and family have been more concerned that me I think, but I read up about the facts, (on the internet but using authoritative sites like Macmillan, Oxford University Hospital and even the NHS sites), and kept to a solid routine as advised by my oncologist.

• No caffeine, which as an avid tea drinker at first seemed daunting but actually was no issue at all.
• Regular exercise. Which in my case was three times a week cycle to the gym and have two swift but hard sessions on the ergo rowing machine.
• Healthy regular meals, and detailed medicine taking.

And as a result, here I am! Treatment over and entering a period of two weeks rest and recuperation with a great feeling of both accomplishment and contentment.

True, I will not know the results, or even the interim effects, of the radiotherapy for 6 weeks or so, but as I said, I have a significant level of confidence that even if this has not worked completely, I am well on the way to “ringing the bell” to indicate I am cancer free soon.

So, what are the morals or ‘truths’ of this missive?

Well, if you are diagnosed with cancer, be positive. Remember the treatments today tend to be much more effective than even in the recent past.

Always be vigilant. Don’t put off a visit to a doctor if you have any concern. In my case, I was doubly fortunate, as I had, and still have vasculitis of a few large blood vessels. When I went to my GP with symptoms, he put me through tests which showed up the Vasculitis. It also showed the prostate cancer, which enabled the system to treat it earlier that otherwise.

For my last note, I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to the team at Churchill Hospital, Oxford especially. As well as to the Macmillan team who’s observations and services has been a further help for me. I never thought, when running all those marathons to raise money for Macmillan, that I would be a grateful beneficiary later in life.

God bless you all, and, “Always look on the bright side of Life”!