Care Opinion

Text size

Theme

Language

Videos in BSL or ISL
Help with language translation
Help with reading or listening

Being diagnosed with prostate cancer

Posted By Meadowbank

"Being diagnosed with prostate cancer"

About: Borders Community Services / Wellbeing Service Borders General Hospital / Borders Macmillan Centre Borders General Hospital / Urology Western General Hospital / Urology

(as a service user),

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer but because I have always had regular PSA checks, it was caught early and contained. There than followed the usual tests and scans between my "local" hospital and travelling to Edinburgh but from the outset I received a great amount of help and support, principally from my Wellbeing advisor but also from Macmillan Cancer Care and, of course, the wonderful nursing and medical staff at each hospital. 

In December 2024 I was admitted to Spire Murrayfield hospital and operated on by a world class professor who is a Trustee of Prostate Scotland.  The operation was a success and I am now in the recovery process whilst trying to get my life back to normal. 

Since the operation, I have continued to have support whenever needed as well as regular sessions with my Wellbeing advisor whose support is more holistic than medical.  Hopefully, the worst is behind me and it is now my mission to help raise awareness for adult males to take regular PSA tests

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Pamela Jaworowska, Co-ordinator, Wellbeing Service, NHS Borders 2 months ago
Pamela Jaworowska
Co-ordinator, Wellbeing Service,
NHS Borders

Submitted on 30/01/2025 at 10:15
Published on Care Opinion at 10:15

Dear Meadowbank

Thank you for taking time to share your story on Care Opinion.

I’m glad to hear that you received all the support you needed during a very difficult time.

I’m pleased that our service was able to be a part of your successful journey to recovery.

I will share your feedback with the rest of the team.

Wishing you all the best in the future.

Pamela

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Mariska Vernon-Stroud, Patient Experience Team Lead, Patient Experience Team, NHS Lothian 2 months ago
Mariska Vernon-Stroud
Patient Experience Team Lead, Patient Experience Team,
NHS Lothian

I gather feedback from patients to recognise good practise and supporting improving services in NHS Lothian.

Submitted on 03/02/2025 at 09:43
Published on Care Opinion at 09:43

Dear Meadowbank,

Thank you for taking the time to share your story. I am so encouraged to read about the care and treatment you received from all staff in your journey and how important each role has been.

I do wish you all the best in your ongoing recovery and I hope many others see from your story the importance of regular checks to support early detection.

Thank you,

Mariska

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Lynda Taylor, Nurse Consultant Cancer, NHS Borders 2 months ago
Lynda Taylor
Nurse Consultant Cancer,
NHS Borders

Submitted on 03/02/2025 at 13:20
Published on Care Opinion at 13:20

Dear Meadowbank,

On behalf of the Macmillan and Urology team in Borders, I echo the sentiments of Mariska and Pamela. Hearing about your experience and very positive treatment outcome will mean a great deal all concerned.

Thank you also, for raising the profile and the benefits of early detection of cancer. To help people understand whether symptoms may or may not be of concern, the following link to the website Prostate Cancer UK, 'check your cancer risk in 30 seconds', may be useful:

https://prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker?gclid=19f1d2ab9e39191bb543b50b2659b2a1&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=19f1d2ab9e39191bb543b50b2659b2a1&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=MI%20-%20Health%20Checker%20-%20PPC%20-%20Microsoft%20-%20Generic%20Pillar%20Core%20-%20PO%2063483&utm_term=early%20signs%20of%20prostate%20cancer&utm_content=Generic%20-%20Symptoms%20-%20MMT

Wishing you well moving forward Meadowbank.

With Best Wishes,

Lynda Taylor, Macmillan Nurse Consultant and Lead Clinician, NHS Borders

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k