I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about
Know exactly what you want?
Show search

Notification

Error

12>

The War that no-one wins

User
Posted 22 Mar 2015 at 16:45
The Silent Assassin's Futile War

The assassin is silent and is ultimately, extremely effective. It crawls throughout, slowly at first then when enough strength is gathered, inexorably towards yours and its own destruction. Though it has no worthy purpose, during its course, it gets you, it really connects with you - your psyche, your mind, your thoughts, but every day you have your minor triumphs too.

This silent, molecular assassin slowly chips away at hope - but in a strange way fosters an inner strength that you never knew you had making you feel, albeit temporarily, invincible. It destroys complacency in a heartbeat as everything that mattered less before becomes more important and things that mattered more become less so than they were. It gives time to plan. It does not destroy in a day, in an instant as other assassins can. For that gift alone, it is such a huge blessing. It causes immense psychological harm but in a perverse kind of way, on good days, can fortify your mind to do, to see, to experience like nothing could ever motivate you to before.

It often makes you imagine and think of a world without you in it. Still silent, it's power is loud and echoes through your body - but you stand tall while you can because you can and you must - though some days you feel small and vulnerable and alone, on others you feel that you can take on the whole world, and should! The assassin brings out the measure of the word family and friends. Some run away. Some stand tall and show their true worth. However evil this assassin is, it brings out the true colours in people.

For although this is an often very lonely, personal and long nightmare, the silent assassin also brings out everything that is good and bad in equal measure of - about the human soul and of one's spirit. Ultimately, though it may win the war of the flesh, it can nor will it ever destroy the soul nor cloud or darken those days, months, years and memories made before its presence was known. It may ultimately be the kiss of death, but in its its final inglorious act, it too will die a worthless death whilst your life will have had value. In that respect, it will always be a poor loser, come second fiddle, remain that which did not break your spirit nor which defined you as a person but which ultimately redefined you in a way that is so fantastically unfathomable. That is the bitter irony of the silent assassin that is prostate cancer.

BMC 2015

Edited by member 23 Mar 2015 at 13:01  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 22 Mar 2015 at 21:45

Bazza,

Truly a great posting

User
Posted 22 Mar 2015 at 22:11

Superb Bazza - this should be a sticky somewhere.

Alan, there is no such thing as a cure for cancer, only remission. And sadly, even some of those who get an official remission find it comes back some day.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 22 Mar 2015 at 22:32
BRILLIANT Post Bazza

Carol

User
Posted 22 Mar 2015 at 23:05
Alanb41252.

There is no cure, least of all for those in the category in which this post was placed: Advanced and Metastatic disease. Just that hopefully long, slow but inexorable fall from grace.

Bazza

User
Posted 22 Mar 2015 at 23:53

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Superb Bazza - this should be a sticky somewhere.

Alan, there is no such thing as a cure for cancer, only remission. And sadly, even some of those who get an official remission find it comes back some day.

And sadly, therein potentially lies "our" future, such as it is or may be. 

All we can do is make the most of every day and enjoy that day, and hopefully the next and another.  I am 2 years into my 5, and need to make more of what remains.  

dave

User
Posted 23 Mar 2015 at 01:28
Enjoyed your fine piece of writing Bazza. It is best to live our lives as though each day may be the last. Hard to do though. With this "assasin" it is harder to do this because it is such a slow process that one can be lulled into complacency again after diagnosis. Our case is much like your own in terms of treatment and initial histology although my OH is much older and may see his life out ultimately dying of some other cause. Cheers Georgina

Edited by member 23 Mar 2015 at 09:17  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 23 Mar 2015 at 07:04
Such a poignant piece, sums up just about all my emotions so far4 months in to this journey of unknown length but known destination.

Country boy has an interesting thought "2 years into my 5" should I be thinking like that? Am I 4 months into my 60? On initial diagnosis I was told 2 to 10 years but think 4.

I try to think that I will be ok this year (after chemo and RT) and that should last next too but I can't plan beyond that in my head

Thanks for the words Bazza

Dream like you have forever, live like you only have today Avatar is me doing the 600 mile Camino de Santiago May 2019

User
Posted 23 Mar 2015 at 07:57

Nice piece Barry

I said in another post that those who don't have mets or undiscovered mets also live a life of uncertainty. I have a life for 6 months between blood tests.

I shall see tomorrow if that continues throughout this summer

Bri

User
Posted 23 Mar 2015 at 08:51
Good luck for tomorrow Bri. Whatever happens, it will be a beautiful summer for you. Plan a holiday, drink a bottle of wine and celebrate that, today, you can and should do these things.

Bazza

User
Posted 23 Mar 2015 at 09:39

Cheers Barry and throw into the mix that our first grandchild is due tomorrow. I think you are right

Bri

User
Posted 23 Mar 2015 at 10:21
We may not have power over the future but we sure have it over today. That, in itself, often provides a blissful release from the usual angst we all suffer to varying degrees. Wow, a grandchild. Count your blessings and spoil them rotten.

Best wishes

Bazza

User
Posted 23 Mar 2015 at 10:27
Bazza

I love your writing, always have as did Mick who genuinely loved listening to me read your full story from your blog for him as he was fighting his final battle.

This is a truly beautiful piece and should be published far wider for anyone with or without this disease to read and then maybe understand just what it means.

If I coud hug you right now I would

Thankyou

xxx

Mo

User
Posted 23 Mar 2015 at 11:56

What a beautifully written and poignant post Bazza.

Barry
User
Posted 23 Mar 2015 at 11:57

As usual Bazza a wonderful post that touches the heart and the mind. You always manage to bring a tear to my eye with your honesty and beautifully writing.

Thank you.

BFN

Julie

NEVER LAUGH AT A LIVE DRAGON
User
Posted 23 Mar 2015 at 17:07

Great stuff, Bazza !

 

Fiona x

User
Posted 23 Mar 2015 at 19:08
WOW!!!
User
Posted 23 Mar 2015 at 19:42

Poetry. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. X

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 24 Mar 2015 at 12:38

Country Boy, try not to think about 5 years. Look at my profile, I was diagnosed in 2009 with G7 (4+3) and a higher PSA

than yours. I have had RP and RT and I am still not on any drugs yet 6 years after the event.

I don't even think of dying , got too much to do. I am learning Italian and harmonica and my dogs need walking, I play guitar

go walking, go to the gym now and then and have a few jars. The only thing I am a bit careful with is diet but I ain't going nowhere for a

long while yet.

 

Stay positive

 

Kind regards

Ray

User
Posted 24 Mar 2015 at 12:40

Great post Bazza

Don't deny the diagnosis; try to defy the verdict
 
Forum Jump  
12>
©2025 Prostate Cancer UK