Thinking about your own mortality.

Me too, mate. Especially younger men, who've been diagnosed.

The other day, I found a very old conversation on here. The opening post brought me to tears. 

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t6254-Death--what-do-y-all-know-about-death

The bit from Mark's post that really got me me was this:

I think and worry about my Deb sorting out my clothes, books, my silly model making stuff, my nerdy computer stuff and importantly my little box of mementoes that I keep very private, these include some of my Dad's wartime things, some love letters, my tungsten darts and photos of my 71\2lb record barbel and a 6lb chub. It probably means nothing to anyone but me, will someone one day find it, see my Dads cap badge and think its junk, photos straight in the bin, letters half read and joining the other stuff in the bin.

I've got a couple of old shoe boxes, decorated in Xmas wrapping paper. They are in the attic under a pile of junk. In them I've kept drawings from my kids and grandkids. Love letters and poems from my wife. Homemade Valentine's cards. Letters of thanks from people I'd helped during my career. Local newspaper clippings of my cricketing 'greatest moments' (they're aren't many of those. 🙂) Letters from my late  mum and dad.

'This is your life' in two battered boxes.

I suppose on top of that, hanging on the walls, there are few pieces of artwork I've done. A full set of series 3 Super Zings, I collected with my grandson when he was about four and his first pair of football boots and goalie gloves. And lots of photo albums, many including snap shots of me doing daft. things. 

Edited by member 28 Jul 2026 at 16:50  | Reason: Add link.

Adrian, I think you are right about most people realising there is more sand in the bottom of the hour glass than in the top when we reach a certain age.

I certainly was aware that there was more life behind me than left in front.

And my brush with PCa testing definitely brought that into sharper focus. I spent 6 weeks believing that I had cancer and my priorities changed somewhat.

I didn't or rather couldn't come up with a bucket list as I feel I've lived a pretty full life and hadn't left a lot of things undone.

But I definitely took opportunities that I may not have done if id not had the experience of PCa testing.

Even though I was cleared I still think it improved my mindset to go for things rather than sit back and let things happen. 

Ive not done anything big on getting my affairs in order but I can see that being a big thing to those with a positive diagnosis.

I guess in the end we are all of us different, some men will ignore and deny, some will fret and get angry, some will give up and some will double down and get on with the living you have left.

If pca or any other life limiting disease does get me I intend to spit in its eye and crack on. 

Great topic to encourage discussion mate...

Mick 

Hi

The Swedes have a process called Death Cleaning - done by the owner of the stuff.

Just found this article -https://www.bgs.org.uk/the-benefits-of-swedish-death-cleaning