The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
A 10-year journey coping with cancer
In 2013, Willie Auld went to his doctor with what he thought were urinary tract infection symptoms. The appointment marked the start of an almost 10year journey with prostate cancer.
For International Men’s Day tomorrow, Willie tells us about the challenges of his diagnosis and treatment and shares how his hobbies, the support of his family and Maggie’s Dundee help him.
When Willie, 70, first went to the doctor, he was advised to take a prostatespecific antigen (PSA) test.
He said: “The PSA result was a little raised, so the doctor decided we’d do another one in a few weeks, but the next one was still raised, so he referred me on to urology.”
After a prostate exam that raised no alarms, it was decided Willie would be monitored.
Two years on from his first PSA test, and following an inconclusive biopsy, the results had not gone down, and after a second biopsy at Ninewells in 2015, cancer cells were discovered in Willie’s prostate.
In October that year, he had surgery to remove the prostate, and was optimistic about the results.
He said: “I went to be checked just before Christmas and discovered I still had a PSA reading, which meant the cancer was still around.
“This was probably the worst appointment because I’d naively assumed I’d have the surgery, take out the prostate and the cancer would be gone. But it wasn’t like that.
“It was devastating, actually.”
Unfortunately, the radiotherapy caused problems to Willie’s bladder and bowel with which he still struggles.
He said: “I had an awful time.
“For nine months after the radiotherapy I didn’t leave the house.
“My bowel was all over the place and I was on anti-depressants.
“I felt my whole life had disintegrated. I was in a real mess. I didn’t trust my insides, so I couldn’t go anywhere in case I suddenly had a real issue.”
But thanks to his daughters, he has found two different ways to help him cope.
Willie says: “One of my daughters suggested I phone Maggie’s Dundee. I went to see the psychologist there, who was brilliant.
“I was able to talk through some of the issues in my head. After five sessions, I started mindfulness sessions.
“It was really helpful. “Maggie’s was my sanctuary. I loved going there. It has been a lifeline for me, and I’ve made some good friends through them.
“Around the time I was starting to get myself moving again after radiotherapy, my other daughter asked if I’d ever thought of kayaking.
“She knew I loved getting out on the water.
“I gave it a try, and I loved it.
“I’m a member of the Tayside Sea Kayak Club in Broughty Ferry. I kayak all over the place, and it’s been wonderful.”
He continued: “Kayaking is wonderful.
“It’s physical exercise, but it also takes me to some absolutely stunningly beautiful places.
“You get fresh air and it really helps my mental health a lot.
“I’ve not been on antidepressants for a long time.”
Willie also says the support of his partner, Morna, has been invaluable in his journey: “Morna has been with me at virtually every appointment.
“I couldn’t ask for any more help than that.
“I often look at her and think: ‘How would I cope if I was you?’ I don’t know how she does it.
“It’s a bad idea to try and do this on your own.
“I couldn’t have done it
by myself. You need to open up at some point.”
Sadly, after two years on hormone treatment, Willie still had a PSA reading and will now be on hormone treatment for as long as it continues to work.
He said: “The hormone treatment will work for so long, but eventually the cancer wins.
“I’m waiting on it not working any more, which is difficult to deal with, but there’s nothing else I can do.
“I just need to get on with my life.
“Often, I look back and think: ‘How did I cope? How did I get through that?’ I think I’ve done pretty well and you have to look at yourself and say: ‘I can do this’. I’ve done really well up until now, so I’m going to keep trying to do really well.
“I know this isn’t going to go away, and I could get bad news in a month’s time, but in the meantime I just have to keep going.”