"Getting through prostate cancer"

 I was 60 and realised I was having to go for a wee more often than my contemporaries.

I went to the GP 'just in case'. He referred me to the urology clinic, I had a biopsy of my prostate, which was not comfortable, but the guy doing it was so apologetic, I felt more for him than myself!

When the results came back I kind of expected something wouldn't be right. But the shock when I was told how severe the cancer was instantly made my whole being numb. I was being spoken to about possibilities of treatments and outcomes but nothing registered, it was too soon, I needed time to take in what I had got.

I was given reams of information that I just wanted to throw away, I didn't want to know. There was a help line for men like me, but I didn't want to be in their club.

I had visits to the continence clinic, which was conducted with a jovial air. The staff (Chrissy) had no reason to be cautious, they were going to look after me and they would be with me all the way- I can honestly say I would look forward to seeing them again.

The next visit to see the consultant  was a completely different experience to my last visit to urology. I'd got over the shock and the consultant (Mr Walton) was so calm, confident, even cheerful about what he thought was the best plan for me, that was a radical prostatectomy. I felt safe in his hands, his manner oozed assurance.

The operation was robotic and I only had a few tiny scars, I felt alright.

But that all changed the week following the operation, when I was at home. I had not been warned about the  side effects. For the next four nights on the trot I was back at the on the ward after being home. I got huge swellings that were frightening, the young doctor hadn't a clue what was going on and wrongly prescribed me allergic treatment, he thought I was reacting to the urinary catheter. I had acute and dreadful pain from constipation, that was the worst pain from the whole procedure, I visited the GP and nothing helped, it was scary. Only after meeting other patients did I realise I was not alone in my pain, if only I had been warned this was normal. After two weeks things calmed down.

I now have three monthly PSA tests to keep an eye on me. I'm not totally clear, but I'm assured that if the numbers get higher I can have radiotherapy that will sort me out. Thankfully I went to the GP at an early stage, men who put off going to their GP aren't so lucky. 

I have regular check ups for erectile function and continence. Both clinics are a joy! When talking about the most delicate and personal aspects and I mean really personal questions, the staff make it easy. I can't believe the candid manner the workings of toilet and bedroom habits are discussed with such professionalism. For any bloke having gone though what I have - the best tip - do your pelvic floor exercises. Complex surgery is marvellous but the recovery is even harder. Doing the exercises make all the difference, I can now lead an almost normal life. I wear a small pad, for just-in-case drips.

It is instantly life-changing when you hear you have cancer, but the NHS staff I have encountered are just brilliant at what they do, they will support you all the way.

I just wish I would have been told about the after effects of surgery- the swellings and the constipation. That's my only criticism.

I've just been discharged from the continence clinic, which means I won't see Chrissy again, which is a shame. I'm now 62 and feel confident about my future.

Saying thank you to the staff at Nottingham City Hospital Urology department and the clinic at Beeston isn't enough. They all deserve medals the size of dustbin-lids (if you can remember what they were!). They should all be paid premiership footballers wages!