I have recently retired and am now in the process of finding activities to fill my days. I am lucky enough to live in a city which provides many opportunities. One opportunity was table tennis run by a local charity. It costs £5 for two hours and last week I gave it my first try. I was delighted to find the staff and players most welcoming and love the mix of ages that ranged from below 65 to 93!
I opted to volunteer my PC upfront as I do need breaks from exercise due to back pain. I found I could play two full games then provided I rested for at least one full game then I was okay. At the end as we were leaving one gentleman invited me to have a coffee with him. It turned out he was 84 and had PC back in his mid 60s. I was so encouraged to meet someone who had been through it and had managed 20 more years. We shared stories and had a laugh at some of the funnier things that happen along the way. He even gave me some tips that I hope will help. I did suggest he post on here, but he wasn't willing. However, he was happy for me to post on his behalf. He did ask me not to use his name.
This wonderful guy has not only been through PC but also lost his wife to a heart attack around five years ago and is now getting over the loss of his best friend in 2025. Despite it all, he's had two girlfriends (not at the same time) and lives a very full life. Like me he has no ability to have erections but that hasn't stopped him!
I was shocked to just discover there are no topics and categories for hope and encouragement, hence the post title.
Hello Paul65plus1
Thank you for your post - yes we welcome all posts with both good and bad news. If you read the various threads we have plenty of Community members who continue their journey with regular updates containing good news.
I updated my thread QUE SARA SARA only last Thursday with news of my latest PSA test and that I was coming off treatment (for the second time!). If you read this thread Surgery or Radiotherapy? Decision made! Alpine Wanderer shares his success story.
The thing about the Community is that it's for Peer to Peer support - people come, take the information and help they need and move on. We get more page visits from people "ghosting" us than we get people posting and joining the Community.
I would like to think that the Community members who have benefited from the Community and are still here and take their time to respond to posters give enough hope and encouragement to anyone joining us.
Best wishes - Brian.
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
Strength, Courage, Faith, Hope, Defiance, VICTORY.
I am a Macmillan volunteer.
