Hi. My name's Robin and this is the first time I've posted on the forum.
In March 2012, I went to my GP's suffering from a water infection. After my appointment, I was sent for a series of blood tests, which included a PSA test . Alarmingly for me, it came back with a PSA score of 78. Following a series of delays, in February 2013, aged 53, I was finally diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. I subsequently underwent a radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy.
Six years later I am still here, doing well and living a full and active life. I still have to have 6 monthly PSA tests and even now, I am still terrified when I ring up for the results. I was hoping that I would get used to it by now, but it unfortunately it hasn't happened yet. Following on from my recovery, I managed to fulfill one of my life's ambitions by writing a book about my experience. I called the book "It's Only a Few Dodgy Cells".
I hoped by writing it, I could connect with all those people who must have gone through the same rollercoaster of emotions that I had experienced. Although there have been many books about prostate cancer, most have been written by medical professionals and not by the person who's been at the wrong end of the scalpel. When I started writing the book, I wanted to relate an upbeat, positive message and I also realised that, surprisingly enough, there were quite a lot of laughs along the way. This was great because cancer and laughter are not usually seen as particularly good bedfellows. However, I have always had quite a dark sense of humour and it was natural to me to use that humour against my new enemy. I'm certain many ithers have done the same.
But the bottom line for me, is that six years after my diagnosis, I am still here, as we say in Hull, "Large as life and twice as ugly" and I am just trying to embrace life, and whatever it may throw at me, deal with it to the best of my abilty.
Looking forward to being part of this online community and hopefully contributing my fair share.
All the best.
Rob
Link to my website just here.
