Six months after undergoing surgery for prostate cancer, Andy Sayner is slowly getting his life back on track. "Recovering from my cancer treatment has taken a lot longer than I first thought it would, but I'm definitely getting there," says the 64-year-old from Newport. "The whole journey from diagnosis to operation happened very quickly. The operation was straightforward and afterwards the consultant looked at my blood tests, told me he was delighted, and said I didn't need to see him again for a year."
What is taking Andy a while, though, is getting back to "normal," so he has appreciated having longer-term support from Bupa. "I talked to Bupa's Oncology Support Team before and after my operation – in fact, my first call will always stay in my mind because, as soon as I told them my diagnosis, they talked me through the financial side and how they would support me throughout my treatment. Their reassurance at that time really meant a lot."
The calls and conversations continued after his surgery, too. "I was actually quite calm before the operation," Andy explains. "There wasn't all that much I could do about it, so I just let it happen. Afterwards, someone from the team phoned me once a week for four weeks after I came out of hospital to see if I had any questions or wanted to talk to one of the nurses."
It has taken Andy longer to recover from his operation than expected. "First, there's the physical problem with controlling your bladder. I was warned about that, so it didn't come as a major shock, but, in practice, it takes you by surprise – and it's not always very pleasant.
"The other thing is I get very tired, very quickly, which for someone who was always on the go before is quite a shock. I'll sit down at 6pm and I'm exhausted.
"It's been reassuring to know that I can call the support team if I have any questions about my recovery.
"A couple of months after my operation I called them about some discomfort and we went through my options. I wouldn't have hesitated to talk to them about any problems at all.
"Four months down the road I'm getting much better. I've even started to play golf again. I'm still in some discomfort around my waist and pelvis – after all, I've had a major operation – and I have been surprised by how long that has taken to go."
Mentally, Andy has coped very well and being able to talk openly to friends, family and Bupa's Oncology Support Team has made a real difference. "Having support is the key. That's what will stop you feeling sorry for yourself. The support that I've received from my family and from Bupa has been fantastic and I'm now well on the road to recovery."
Tracy McClelland of Bupa's Oncology Support Team
"We have a specialist team of nurses and advisers who are on hand to talk about people's cancer care – from diagnosis to issues they may face after their treatment.
About a quarter of our patients are in the 'survivorship' stage, which means they have finished their main treatment. A nurse will tailor our survivorship programme to their concerns; they may need just one call or support for a year.
We will talk to them about all kinds of things – from fatigue and sleep problems to questions about a sore scar. They need to know what is normal, what they can manage themselves and what needs to be taken to a doctor."
Download help
Bupa's new guide Living With and Beyond Cancer covers issues faced by many people recovering from cancer, including fatigue and sleep problems, emotional and physical health, diet and exercise, relationships, social life, and finances. The guide is available to download free as a PDF, app for tablet, or an ebook. Go to bupa.co.uk/beyondcancer
