O.K. there isn’t one. But my experience with prostate cancer taught me that the frightening process of diagnosis, treatment and (for most) recovery is NOT a humour free zone.
You have probably heard the phrase “laughter is the best medicine”. I can report that even in the most difficult of circumstances the British sense of humour is alive and well and available free on the NHS.
This is a talk that may help you, and members of your team face up to the fact that the male Prostate is a sex organ which whilst not located at the fun end of the tackle shop needs as much, if not more, focus than the willy in the shop window.
You do not need a prostate or even a willy to attend. The only qualification is being an adult human. So, if you are a man, the wife, partner, relative or friend of a man this 25-minute patient perspective talk is for you, your colleagues and by extension (I know) your family.
Background
Heading off for my Prostate Cancer examination I fully understood this was something I should take seriously because prostate cancer had already killed two men in my street and it’s not a very big street!
Turned out I was the third person in our street to be diagnosed. Following my diagnosis, I was almost inundated with medical advice and information. The NHS supported the hell out of me. Yet almost the first thing I wanted to do was talk to someone who had been through the shock of diagnosis and treatment. I couldn’t ask the other two blokes from my street, but I did find men who were willing to share their experiences and since that time I have been asked to share what happened to me many times.
I want to talk about my patient experience because I think it may help others facing similar challenges. Including the “yet to be diagnosed”. Odds are there will be some in any group of men.
The two separate treatments I had were High Intensity Focussed Ultrasound (HIFU) in London and when that didn’t work out Radiotherapy in Leeds. I will tell you why I chose HIFU why it didn’t work for me and why I went on to have a successful Radiotherapy course. I will also talk about gratitude.
Don’t worry no slides involved, the waiting list is short and just as the doctor ordered there will be some laughter. Really.
If you would like a free “taster” and are in the area I have been asked to speak at the Yorkshire Cancer Research Centre in Harrogate at 7pm on Thursday September 28th. The audience will be made up of members of PROSPER which is the Harrogate Prostate Cancer Support Group. Good chaps all.
There is good availability, but could you let me know directly if you or a colleague are going to be there. The Yorkshire Cancer Research Centre may need to order extra toilet rolls. My email is terrythespeaker1@virginmedia.com please copy in the main man at Harrogate Prostate Cancer Support fgeneturner@gmail.com Thanks
Address: Yorkshire Cancer Research Centre Jacob Smith House 7 Grove Park CT, Harrogate HG1 4DP
