I’d been a nurse for years before I met my husband, and although I didn’t work specifically in cancer care, I had looked after many people with the disease.  Meeting my husband Dick caused me to consider what it was like from the other side, as he had testicular cancer aged 20 and had survived.  I was surprised how, whenever he had any symptoms of anything, my default response was ‘it must be back!’. This was despite my knowledge that the form of cancer he had is entirely curable and it was well over 25 years since he’d had his diagnosis and treatment.  He was quite laid back about it all, so I kept my anxieties to myself.  I was also aware that both his mother and father had cancer, so assumed that would be his lot in the end. Although Dick’s take on it was that yes, he’d had cancer and was the one who’d got away with it. 

All went well until he developed prostate symptoms aged 61 (like most other men at that age) and I went straight back into the ‘It’s back’ mode.  By this time I had had 8 years of palliative care nursing under my belt and knew the effects of advanced prostate cancer.  After dozens of ghastly tests (there must be a more dignified way of accessing a man’s prostate!) the answer was, yes there were a few odd cancer cells there.  I went into funeral planning mode, while he remained calm and carried on with his work.  The plan was ‘watchful waiting’. After another few months and yet another biopsy the test came back clear…..his immune system must have ‘mopped up’ those rogue cells.

I have now stopped my watchful waiting and am just enjoying the present. I know that testicular and prostate cancer bear no relationship to each other and many men of his age have the odd malignant cell in their prostates…….if you go looking for them.

This website is a great bonus for neurotics like me as I can tell my story without feeling I am fussing over nothing, especially when I read other people’s stories.

I would be very glad to hear about other’s experiences and for us to share our concerns together.

Thanks