Brian is one of our Community Champions who was diagnosed with prostate cancer three years ago. He’s married with four children and loves life. Humour has always been a big part of his family life and in this blog, he is sharing how laughter helped him through his prostate cancer diagnosis.
For me humour is great because cancer is such a serious topic, it helps folk relax and realise that life continues. Cancer can’t take away my sense of humour.
Three years ago, I was one of those men who thought Prostate cancer only affected other people, how wrong was I. Due to various symptoms I ended up in hospital. A few days later my consultant urologist came along with his entourage, drew my bedside curtains, sat on my bed, removed his glasses and in all seriousness said, “Brian, I am so sorry to tell you, but you have prostate cancer”.
Well, I just took one look at him and burst out laughing. “It’s not funny” he said. I did apologise a few days later as on admission to hospital they thought it was kidney failure, so it was a surprise.
As part of my prostate cancer treatment, I had an indwelling catheter. Let’s just say, it’s had funny moments:
About 50 fellow passengers stopped in their tracks watching and listening. I knew what was coming, laughed and said, “I have got something I shouldn’t have.” Their reply was, “we will soon find out.”
I had been forewarned that catheters are routinely examined as others have used them to conceal prohibited items.
I have given a few talks at local Prostate cancer group meetings and coffee mornings, and I find if you start with a part of the journey which has either made you laugh or is funny, then it makes everyone feel at ease to talk about the serious things.
I tend to start with my biopsy experience. I walked into a room with six people with masks and gowns on and a bench with stirrups in the air. My first comment was “This won’t end well.” Once restrained on the bench my surgeon introduced the other doctors and said, “they haven’t done this biopsy before, can he do yours under supervision?”
I thought for a second and said innocently enough “Well he has to start at the bottom.” I couldn’t stop laughing once I realised what I had said.
My lovely Macmillan Nurse, whilst giving me my first hormone injection into my bum, suggested I join the Online Community for support. Although I don’t use social media, I joined. I found the prostate cancer forum members to be a great bunch and soon made plenty of friends.
There have been some moments in the Prostate cancer forum which have made me laugh. I came across the word ‘metastatic’ as I couldn’t spell it in my posts so replaced it with ‘walkabout’. This soon caught on with others. Radiotherapy soon became known as ‘The sunbed’ and we even borrowed some humour from other forums and BC became ‘Before cancer’ and AD became ‘After diagnosis.’
In the Prostate cancer forum, we know when to be serious and when to have a laugh. We all rally round to help and support to new and regularly active members.
Now three years into my cancer journey, I am technically cancer free with some lifelong testing. It’s been a hard three years but laughing (often at myself quite often), has made it easier to cope with. I believe a smile, a laugh, and a positive attitude is half the battle.
People often ask me how I have managed to get through 3 years on hormone therapy with all the side effects. The answer is simple, I always look on the bright side of everything.
I would like to thank all the Community members in the Prostate cancer forum and to those I have met on other forums for helping me in my own journey. Everyone who contributes makes Macmillan’s Online Community the success it is.
Thank you so much to Brian for telling us how laughter helped you during a difficult time. If you are like Brian and find laughter a helpful way to express yourself, join our Laughter is the best medicine forum.
If you have any funny stories you wish to share with Brian, post them in the comment box below or start a discussion in the Laughter is the best medicine forum.
Additional support
Join the Prostate cancer forum where you can get emotional and practical peer support
Read the Prostate cancer awareness page for information about prostate cancer
