Ann Carlow-Bunton
My husband, Tony, had always been fit and healthy, but after he turned 60 I started to worry about prostate cancer as two of our friends had prostate cancer operations.
Tony was extremely reluctant and eventually I had to insist that he book a doctors appointment. Three days after his blood test, the doctor called him back to tell him that his PSA level was extremely high and that he should have a biopsy as soon as possible.
It turned out that Tony had an aggressive prostate cancer and receiving that news was, in his words, "like being hit in the face with a cricket bat". I was there to support him through his shock and confusion, while also dealing with my emotions from the news that my husband had cancer.
Tony then underwent six weeks of radiotherapy and two years of hormone therapy which successfully brought his PSA level down.
He coped well with the treatment and even carried on going to work. What was harder was the emotional side of things, for example dealing with the fear that his cancer might have spread.
Every appointment that Tony had the same question was asked: "Do you have back ache?" The doctors explained that the first sign that the cancer had spread to your bones was a back ache and Tony started to feel pains in his back. A bone scan was done, but came back completely clear and the pain went away - it seems like his worry had created a psychosomatic illness.
It was a difficult time for us both; Tony was obviously very worried but sometimes it was difficult for me to know what he was thinking and feeling.
Now we are five years on and Tony tells me that he couldn't have got through the ordeal without my support - and he certainly wouldn't have been diagnosed so quickly without my nagging!
Tony and Ann strongly believe in the need to raise awareness and funds for further research and Tony even went as far as growing a moustache for Everyman's TacheBack campaign in 2004!
I'm so glad I nagged him to go to the doctors - if I hadn't his cancer might have spread
Ann Carlow-Bunton
