It could all have been so different. My wife said that when we left Guy’s Hospital on Thursday for a gratitude lunch at The Shard.
Six months ago, I began to feel occasional pain in my nether regions. Your body sends you messages, and it’s up to you to listen.
On one particularly painful occasion, I booked an appointment immediately with my doctor. Us men are notorious for ignoring pain, often to our detriment.
My doctor checked me out and said, “Hmm, I think it’s okay, but let’s get you checked just to be sure.” The pain continued—not debilitating, but enough to keep me on edge.
My anxiety was low when I went for the scan. I have a philosophy: if I have a scan or blood test and the doctor’s office doesn’t call, it’s good news.
But that Friday morning, one day after my scan, my doctor called at 10 a.m. I missed the call, and immediately, fear set in. My theory was correct—this must be serious. I called back but couldn’t get through. A text came through minutes later: “We’d like you to book an appointment.”
My wife, no stranger to these consultations after accompanying her sister through a breast cancer diagnosis, joined me for the appointment. I booked it for the following Tuesday and spent a weekend drowning in what if’s.
The drive to the surgery was silent. We waited nervously for over 30 minutes. When my name finally appeared on the board, my heart pounded as I walked to the doctor’s room. Every step was heavy with anxiety. My mouth was dry, and my heart raced, though I tried to appear calm.
The doctor greeted me with a statement that semi-relieved both of us: the main thing is, we don’t think you have cancer, but there’s a cyst that concerns us.
The report we have from the radiologist is marked as urgent. I’m pushing for a two-week referral to a specialist at Guy’s Hospital or one of the other hospitals. The relief was palpable, but the journey was far from over.
That same week, I was set to leave for my annual boys’ trip for a week and would return the day before I met with the specialist at Guys Hospital.
I tried to enjoy my time away, but my mind kept wandering to the what if’s. What if it’s serious? What will I do if things don’t go well? The pain is noticeable but manageable, do I have enough time?
I’m more spiritual than religious, and on several occasions, I felt I couldn’t pray for a specific outcome because the answer was already on a computer screen. Instead, I prayed for the strength to accept whatever news came.
We travelled silently again on the morning of the hospital visit. I’ve been in some scary situations in my life, but for me nothing compares to the fear I felt sitting in the chair awaiting meeting the consultant to hear my results.
The Consultant invited us in and looked at us expressionlessly as we sat down. He said, ‘We’ve reviewed your results. Heart beating. “The remaining cell, which the other radiologists could not identify, shows it is not cancerous. I am pleased to tell you.”
“We need another scan though, to be sure, but our initial assessment is that the cysts are benign.
I cannot put into words how I felt when I heard that. I may have felt numb; I was listening but not hearing.
I had another scan, and the radiologist gave me a visual explanation of her analysis. I spoke with the Consultant again to confirm all was well and decided to have my PSA checked.
We left the hospital not elated but quietly relieved.
Here’s the thing: If you notice something unusual, get it checked—don’t delay. And for us men, if you haven’t had your prostate checked recently, make sure to get tested.
Early detection is crucial, mainly because if you’re a Black man, you’re 50% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Black men.
Regular check-ups aren’t just for when you feel unwell; they’re a proactive step in safeguarding your life and health and the well-being of your family.
There are still men who will not get themselves checked. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear; take charge of your health now.
My wife decided to take me to The Shard, where we enjoyed a fabulous lunch with the bonus of a beautiful spot by the window and she kept saying, “this could have been so different.”
When you’ve been spared, taking a moment to reflect is crucial. As I sat there, overlooking London Bridge station and watching the trains come and go, I tried to process what had just happened.
Moments like these offer a chance to ask yourself: What am I doing with my life? What needs to change and realise how easy it is to slip back into old habits. Ultimately, it’s all about choices—deciding whether to change or not as the case may be.
That said, this piece would not be complete without an expression of thanks. We often hear a lot of negative press about the NHS.
While there are issues like waiting lists, staff shortages, and so on, the doctor at my surgery was excellent. She diligently called me back, stayed on the phone, while she arranged my two-week referral, and calmed my anxiety.
The Consultant and Radiologist at Guy’s were excellent and reassuring, and they finally confirmed that all was well. My final thanks are to my wife, who travelled to the appointments with me, notebook in hand, to write down what was said. She silently sat by my side, burdened with anxieties and what-ifs, yet did her best not to show them. I am thankful.
Sometimes, even though the prognosis is personal, we forget that the impact extends far beyond us.
She is right; it could have all been so different. And I’m grateful for the chance to have more years on the board at least for now.
Key Learnings:
Heed the subtle signals—from your body and those around you. Ensure you’ve established robust systems and assembled the right team to step in if you’re suddenly taken ill. Consider what you might be overlooking, and proactively create a financial survival budget that secures your family’s well-being for at least six months.
Until we meet
Morton
P.S: when you are ready, here are 3 ways in which you can work with me:
- I’m excited to announce the opening of a new cohort for our Pricing By Value Coaching Program. This is your opportunity if you’re an independent consultant or small firm owner aiming to boost your revenue and transform how you communicate your services.… Watch this video to see if you would like to join us.
- Apply for a FREE Value Strategy Session here
- If you’re a Founder, you might be interested in – ‘The Founders’ Corner’—a safe space for confidential conversations. Reply with the words ‘Founder’ and I’ll send the details
