Hello All
I have been meaning to do this for quite some time as I would like to share my story of my diagnosis and treatment since that date. I really want to offer some sense of hope to those who may have just had a terminal diagnosis.
Briefly, I was diagnosed at the age of 54 in 2016. That's nearly seven and a half years ago. At the time I was told that I had between 4 and 5 years to live.
I started out on hormone implants and 5 months of chemotherapy and was also given Metformin as a trial drug. Part of the STAMPEDE trials. Since that time, after recovering from the effects of chemo I have lived a very full and satisfying life. I have now also been taking Enzalutamide for the last year and just had a TURP operation to help relieve my urinary symptoms.
A very short list of the things my wife and I have done since my diagnosis follows.
We have had a number of memorable holidays including 5 trips to the Maldives, 1 trip to Hawaii,1 to Dubai, 3 to Madeira, 2 to France and 1 to Iceland. We are due to head off to the Maldives again in a few weeks time.
I learned to scuba dive, passing my PADI open water certificate.
I have started a new career in an IT role.
And countless other memorable experiences, including attending a Royal Garden Party. My point for listing all these is that life doesn't end at the point you receive your diagnosis. I don't know how much longer I have, but I'm going to make the most of every last minute.
When I was diagnosed, I started writing a blog for family and friends. I would love more people to read it, to offer hope to others who are going through the same diagnosis as me. Please have a look if you have some spare time. The address is https://johnandbim.thebethams.com I have published my PSA chart over the years which my consultant says quite a few men keep a spreadsheet with all the figures on. Also a lot of photos - mainly of our holiday expeditions.
If you are struggling to find travel insurance to cover your condition I have found that World First has been one of the only companies that fully understands the diagnosis and offers much more reasonable prices than other online insurance companies.
Hello JDBofThurston
Welcome to the forum - it's great to read an inspiring post - like many people reading where you have been and what you have done makes me realise that there is hope and it's not all doom and gloom.
Best wishes for the future - Brian.
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
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Hi JDB,
Why an excellent and inspiring post.
Thank you
L
Wonderful post and loved your blog, especially the dancing in the kitchen. You both have a lot of energy but I suspect the wine helped. Hope you didn't ache too much the next day!!! Two years ago I danced at my daughter's NYE party in heels, for two hours. Don't normally wear heels often as too painful, but add some wine to the mix, and I didn't feel a thing 
. Love your attitude to everything, keep it up and thanks for sharing here.
