Cancer has changed me.

Hi folks,

Having had a brush with prostate cancer has changed me in many differnt ways. For instance when I am out and about I often wonder how many strangers I meet are suffering from seroius health problems. For when I had prostate cancer I looked just as I always have and met other people who had seroius cancers who outwardly looked perfectly healthy. We never know how many strangers we meet look good on the outside but are really struggling inwardly with life changing illnesses.

My response has been to treat strangers I meet on the streets diiferently and more kindly than how I used to; These days often giving them a smile or even saying hello.  It may not be much but it might just help brighten someones day. 

We all have our own problems to deal with at times but my dear mother always told me, there is always someone far worse off than yourself. Reading the posts on here for nearly six years now has really brought this home to me

I wish you all good results both for you or your loved ones. Thanks for reading Brian.

 

  • Hi Brian, that's a really good, positive post.

    I, too, had a brush with prostate cancer some 7 years ago, ending with a radical prostatectomy.

    After my treatment, I was lucky to find a support group for men with prostate problems, and I maintain their web site. The group campaigns locally to raise prostate cancer awareness.  One thing that particularly worries me is how many men in their 50s and 60s are walking around with unsuspected prostate cancer, and who have never had a PSA test!  It was the meerest fluke that I asked for a test at age 54, and it was discovered my PSA was slightly above normal. 

    Just recently, Ray Thomas, flute player and founder member of the Moody Blues, died of prostate cancer in his mid 70s. It was caught too late to be curable. I wonder how many more like him there are. 

  • Hi Telemando, 

    Thanks for the reply. I was only offered Hormone therapy and radiotherapy as my psa was 70. However the treatment suited mt fro my psa eended up as low as 0.01.

    I have to say having had cancer it has made me more understanding and caring and I look at life in differnt ways now. My appreciation level for the little things in life we all take so much for granted has gone through the roof and I am enjoying life more than ever before. 

    I have also joined several cancer charities

    Take care , Brian.

  • Hi Brian...it's like thought for the day ... and you've really made me think ... l think with me, l had convinced myself I wouldn't come through op ... was sure I'd left it too long ... so when I came round, l felt elated ... couldn't believe I was still here ... nothing faised me .. just had big smile on my face ... what a gift I'd been given ...  and the love l got was amazing ...now I live in the day ... 

    Funny thoughts now ... people who just want to get more money ... really ?  Others who you hear grumbling about everything ... really .. people who rush through life, without looking around and seeing the wonder of each day ... and like you, I now wonder what everyone's story is ... l never judge strangers now ... that car that's trying to overtake you on a bend, just maybe rushing to hospital ... 

    Realising even consultants can get things wrong , and I can't imagine how they do the job, of telling one patent they are cancer free, the next, could only have short while left ... how hard that must be by the end of the day ... and if I'd never got cancer, I'd never have come here and found you all ... 

    Sorry, I've started waffling, I do get carried away ... so thank you Brian for another great thread ... big hug Chrissie