Hi my name is Vince
I had a job this time last year, the year I was diagnosed with PC. In all honesty, I told my young boss I had to have an MRI and he obviously had to know why. I am 64 this year and after the MRI, I had a biopsy which revealed something suspicious. After a succesful period of six months in the job in which I secured two important first time ISO certs, I was told I was no longer needed and sacked. My contract had a death in service clause which would have paid three and half times my salary, my work ethics have never been questioned in my time on this earth but they sacked me for decline in quality of work. They gave me a “good will” gesture of £5k after engaging with a lawyer and I started my journey in January 2023 with no job and what looked like no hope. I had to make a decision whether to secure another job or go for a PC op. At the age I am, it became difficult and four months went by, paying my mortgage with the compensation and trying to get another job.
I managed to secure a job in April and it gave me hope and my new boss - older than me , supported me to have my PC op in August (bank holiday). The catheter period was the worst part and a relief when I managed to wee into the jug enough to have it removed for ever. I caught a slight UTI which hurt me and took antibiotics which worked and now today, I am back at work and wearing Tena pads. My wife has been a rock to me for support but now works two jobs and so my job which is partly a work from home vocation means I am on my own most of the time.
I am trying to write and poetry has become part of my psyche and I write a family blog. The nest is empty with kids flown and sometimes I get a little down, thinking how I failed. I have to now have three monthly blood tests to monitor the PSA And worry of it gets over zero what’s next?
I have some solace in listening to “Boom Radio“ of songs from my youth and time in the Royal Navy (28 years) and sometimes big myself up with my medals including a Meritorious Service Medal alongside the jubilee awards of our late Queen.
All in all it’s been a rough ride in 2023 but next year, I need to get fit and could do with some suggestions to help that NY resolution. (Finally I give thanks to MacMillan, they looked after my dad in a hospice who died of PC in 2006 at 86, he had stage 4 then; I got caught early and the GP who recommended the MRI, nurses who held my hand and consultant who showed me how to use the Squeezy app and all I met along the journey - I think, saved my life!
some things that have made life a little more bearable ….
Squeezy Men app - make you do regular pelvic floor muscles
spalshpants from Amazon if you want to go in a hot tub or swim 
Tena Pads for Men
Hello VGT1232 and a warm welcome to the online Prostate Cancer Community.
Well that's a story and a half and from me well done for 28 years in the Royal Navy - I am aware we have quite a few ex forces members in the Community and no doubt they will be in touch.
It looks like the surgery was good and your main worry is "what happens if my PSA rises above zero" and the answer to that is Hormone Therapy and Radiotherapy - but don't forget that's a "what if" and let's hope for the best.
I am also on the 2024 "get fit" campaign - It's cut out the excess food and beer, walk more, do more, eat well and stop sitting around when life is going by - I hope to lose a couple of stones - hope being the operative word.
Anyway - again welcome to the Community - it's OUR community and YOU are more than welcome. feel free to post on any thread and join in any conversation - any advice from your personal journey is more than welcome.
Best wishes - Brian.
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
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