Clean up Prostate Cancer

 

The Prostate Cancer Community

 

·         In my experience once a cancer has been identified hospitals have well established arrangements for leading you through the stages of your treatment. You will be assigned a consultant but it is likely your treatment may take you into several different departments and even to different locations.

·         You may be given a case nurse or contact details for an individual who you may speak to about your concerns. They will help you understand what is happening. It is inevitable that you will feel a range of emotions. Fear, isolation, emptiness, helplessness and confusion are just some of the commonly mentioned sensations among newly diagnosed cancer patients. Sometimes your brain just stops working or can be entirely engulfed by the diagnosis. Your case nurse is the person you need at this time. If you are not assigned someone from the oncology department to take this role, do ask for a contact name and number. We had Jan and she was wonderful.

·         Look for a support group. It is often helpful to spend time where you can speak openly about your condition with others who are in the same situation. Ask for details at your next appointment OR http://prostatecanceruk.org/get-support/find-local-support has a list of support groups. If you can't find one in your area consider starting a group yourself. http://menunited.prostatecanceruk.org/ offers guidance for those seeking to set up support groups. Getting involved can even help by giving you a positive focus.

·         Internet forums, for example the Macmillan Prostate Cancer Forum or the one at Prostate Cancer UK offer mutual support. The community is strong. While you may receive help, forums also give you the opportunity to return the favour if only by showing your support in a brief message. One word of warning take care, members tend to speak from their personal experience or point of view which may not be appropriate to your situation.

·         Don't forget your own family, friends and colleagues. They are your ready made supporters club. They may not have the disease but they are sharing your experiences.  They are living with Prostate Cancer just as you are. Our cousin turned up one afternoon out of the blue and sat talking for a couple of hours. He was being treated at the same hospital for bowel cancer and his calm reassurance, his praise for the the unit gave us confidence to go forward with hope rather than blind fear. We owe an awful lot to John's spontaneous act of love.

·         People talk of the elephant in the room, with Prostate Cancer the elephant is stampeding and damaging everything in its path. We found being open and including the family in conversations worked best. It may well be that you feel sharing your innermost feelings is a step too far but maybe there is someone, not necessarily someone you anticipate, who can become a confidante, if you let them. Talking is good and perhaps, one day, you'll find that cancer isn't mentioned at all. I'd try really hard not to keep it bottled up inside.

 

Remember you had a life before Prostate Cancer came along.

Please do work on rediscovering and continuing it.