Metastatic Prostate Cancer Age 54

Hello All

I have been meaning to do this for quite some time as I would like to share my story of my diagnosis and treatment since that time. I really want to offer some sense of hope to those who may have just had a terminal diagnosis.

I have also put this message on the Macmillan community forum.

Briefly, I was diagnosed at the age of 54 in 2016. That's nearly seven and a half years ago. At the time I was told that I had between 4 and 5 years to live.

I started out on hormone implants and 5 months of chemotherapy and was also given Metformin as a trial drug. Part of the STAMPEDE trials. Since that time, after recovering from the effects of chemo I have lived a very full and satisfying life. I have now also been taking Enzalutamide for the last year and just had a TURP operation to help relieve my urinary symptoms.

A very short list of the things my wife and I have done since my diagnosis follows.

We have had a number of memorable holidays including several trips to the Maldives, 1 trip to Hawaii,1 to Dubai, 3 to Madeira, 2 to France and 1 to Iceland. We are due to head off to the Maldives again in a few weeks time.

I learned to scuba dive, passing my PADI open water certificate.

I have started a new career in an IT role.

And countless other memorable experiences, including attending a Royal Garden Party. My point for listing all these is that life doesn't end at the point you receive your diagnosis. I don't know how much longer I have, but I'm going to make the most of every last minute.

When I was diagnosed, I started writing a blog for family and friends. I would love more people to read it, to offer hope to others who are going through the same diagnosis as me. Please have a look if you have some spare time. The address is https://johnandbim.thebethams.com I have published my PSA chart over the years which my consultant says quite a few men keep a spreadsheet with all the figures on. Also a lot of photos - mainly of our holiday expeditions.

If you are struggling to find travel insurance to cover your condition I have found that World First has been one of the only companies that fully understands the diagnosis and offers much more reasonable prices than other online insurance companies.

Hi Debby

It sounds like you and Gary have a similar outlook to my wife and I. They were very dark days just after diagnosis, but I do remember at one point, probably about a month after being told, that I could not carry on being miserable about it and we both made a commitment to try and make the most of every situation. It's not always easy, and there are occasions when I might have a 'down' day, but being positive becomes easier the more you practice.

We are still waiting for grandchildren, although I wouldn't be surprised if the first one appears later this year!

All the best to you both.

John

Hi John,

Wow! That is some blog…I will take my time and read through your journey.

I can only congratulate you on living life to the full and being so positive, you are quite an inspiration!

All the best for the future,

Derek

Indeed. John has obviously coped exceptionally well.  I suppose, no matter what the cancer staging, no matter what the treatment, no matter what the prognosis; it will effect everyone differently. Some will be physically, mentally and even financially better equipped to deal with the disease than others. 

Love that  photo of afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace clever of you to take a photo it looks scrumptious