28 June 2021
For those who are struggling with cancer and in particular prostate cancer, the challenge for you is to get above the side effects and come out on the bright side.
My story is my challenge to defeat the big “C” and rise above the issues that cancer brings.
Having planned retirement, we purchased a new caravan and four-wheel drive.
Catherine and I were off on a trip around Australia and not doing winters.
I knew at this time that I had been managing my prostate health by regular checks with the local GP.
So we left Darwin in September 2018 with a PSA reading of 7.1 (acceptable level is 4.5).
The GP stated that at my age it was okay, but keep an eye on it. With this said we took off and forgot about any issues I might have with the big “C”.
On invitation from the Hill Top (Tatura) Bowls Club we travelled to Victoria to join and play the season from October 2018 to March 2019.
Hill Top is a Golf/Bowls Club in Northern Victoria with a great little caravan park backing onto the bowling greens and golf course.
After an enjoyable season we headed back to WA.
On route back it became evident that something was wrong, as I had to stop regularly to go to the toilet and could not fill up the car as the sound of running fuel would make me go as well.
Having read up on prostate cancer on the way back, I decided to visit the doctor in Wanneroo, WA in April 2019.
He did the usual blood test and then rang me to advise that my PSA was now 22.0 and made an appointment for me to see a urologist.
I did this in late April 2019 and after the MRI results came back, I received the bad news that I had an advanced case of prostate cancer.
This news completely shocked me and took me some time to come to grips with what the specialist was telling me.
I remember at this meeting I went away not remembering very much as my brain was still trying to absorb that I had cancer.
Thanks to my wife Catherine she immediately got on the computer and provided all the written information on the type of surgery available and the outcomes.
We then headed back to Darwin — dropped the caravan off and flew back to Perth for my operation in on May 30, 2019.
After much research by Catherine we decided on the robotic prostate procedure.
This decision was the correct choice as I was up and about in around 10 days.
After the operation, the specialist advised that he was not able to remove all the cancer as it had worked its way outside of the prostrate. He advised that I would probably need radiation treatment after six months of the operation.
Back in Darwin in June 2019, I had to then work through the effects cancer has on your marital and social life.
The biggest issue surrounds erection dysfunction and the loss of your manhood and how your wife will accept it and how you will deal with it.
I know that like other prostate warriors this is the biggest issue that cancer patients worldwide have to deal with — me included.
I tried all sorts of medical tablets, but nothing can be done until after six months of the operation and then around six months after radiation treatment.
Lucky we had lawn bowls, so I decided that while I am reasonably healthy, I was going to not let cancer interfere with challenges I set myself.
In September 2019, I won the NT state singles title and remember that to be an emotional time as I hugged my wife after winning and said “this is our title — I could not have done it without your support”.
We then travelled to Merimbula to play in the Australian championships in December 2019 – although I did not win a game I was just proud to be there to represent the NT and play against the best in Australia.
Back in Darwin and with the issues associated with COVID-19, the Nightcliff Bowls Club started to play their championship events in March 2020.
I won the Nightcliff club singles and again the support I received from Catherine got me through.
I remember play was delayed for rain and I was down 8-18 and she said that you haven’t let cancer beat you so go out there and play your natural game. I did this and finally won the game 25-23.
I then had to complete 33 radiation visits over six and half weeks.
At the start of the radiation my PSA had gone from 0.05 after the operation to now 0.08.
The radiation, although not harmful, is a commitment that you need to undertake to get through.
By the end of the week I experienced some loose bowel functions and fatigue.
Having to drink sufficient water and control your bladder for every daily visit of radiation gets to you after a while.
Again, after an issue on the table where I could not hold on, I decided enough was enough, but again the support of Catherine and encouragement got me through this radiation period which ended on April 1, 2020.
The encouragement saw my PSA drop from 0.08 to 0.029.
The specialist advised that he was happy with the results and that to have a further blood test in six months to monitor any change.
With this behind me and a reduction in COVID-19 restrictions in the Territory, again I took to the bowling green.
With my mate Jock Hicks we lost the final of the Nightcliff club pairs.
The next week was the long weekend in June 2020 where the NT over-60s state events were held.
I was able to win the NT over-60s men’s pairs with Jock.
I then went on to win the NT over-60s state singles.
Winning this event meant that I now held all three blue ribbon events in the same year in the Northern Territory.
In September 2020 I went back to back in winning the NT state singles.
This achievement is something that not many would have achieved in the same year in their bowling career.
In all games Catherine was always on hand to continue to give me the encouragement that I had received through my cancer procedures and lawn bowls.
My family was also there to give that verbal support that you will all need to get through. I thank them all sincerely for their love and support.
Having completed the state events in Darwin the 2020 season had come to an end.
COVID-19 was easing and the Hill-Top-Tatura bowling clubs were still looking for an answer as to whether I was coming to coach the new amalgamated pennant clubs.
Catherine and I discussed and then said yes in September that we would come.
As quickly as we had agreed a COVID-19 outbreak occurred in Shepparton.
We again sat on our hands and after one month the area was declared free of COVID, so we decided that this area was as clean as Darwin with a similar population.
We unpacked the house, packed the van and set off to Tatura on October 25, 2020.
We arrived in Tatura around the November 1, 2020 where COVID restrictions were still in place but manageable.
My first training session there were more than 75 bowlers on the green, and anxious to see what this new coach was all about.
I held a meeting with the pennant committee under chairman Rod Piggott and sat down to work out my plans as the season was to commence around November 7, 2020.
Working with the leadership group we had a very successful 2020-21 season with eight of the 11 pennant sides making the four.
Unfortunately none were able to go and win the cherished silverware.
Brendon Boyd was an excellent chair of selectors for the two pennant amalgamated clubs and when I felt a little down he was always there to support me and keep me on track.
While this was happening and with training happening on six of seven days each week, Catherine was again always there to prop me up and was a good sounding board when needed.
The season also brought another challenge as I teamed up with David and Josh Cartwright and we went on to win the Goulburn Valley state triples, and then the two regional challenges to finish in the last 16 of the Victoria 2021 state triples.
About one month from the end of the coaching contract, I undertook my six-month blood test.
The results were not good with my reading doubling to 1.29 and alarm bells were ringing with my specialist.
With this news we headed to Melbourne to have a PET scan.
When the results of the PET scan came back the specialist stated that I needed to head back to Darwin as soon as possible as the cancer had spread into my pelvic areas and into my bones.
We quickly completed our bowls events and Catherine and I were able to win the Hill Top club's mixed pairs prior to departure home to Darwin.
I needed to win this to say thank you to Catherine. As it turned out Catherine played brilliantly and as a team we won the day against the Cartwrights.
The cancer news also ended our trip back up the WA coast and we left Tatura around March 15, 2021.
Feeling down we decided to go straight back to Darwin to have another MRI and then wait for advice from the specialist.
The information we received back from the MRI was that I needed further radiation treatment to kill the cancer in the pelvic area.
I travelled to Adelaide on April 18 and had Sabre radiation treatment over the week of April 26 to 30, 2021.
Again not letting the "Big C" run our lives Catherine and I teamed up on May 1 (straight after the Sabre radiation) for the May Day pairs.
After the smoke had settled and 55 ends of bowls we lost the final to finish runner-up.
I still have to travel to Victoria in May to contest the finals of the Victoria state triples and to represent the NT in the Australian championships in the singles.
Events such as these continue to make me wake up in the morning and get on with my life.
We are now just short of two years since my prostate was removed.
I continue to challenge myself to come to terms with the "Big C" as it just never leaves you alone.
Sometimes I just want to give up and let nature take its course.
The constant visits to doctors, specialists, blood tests, scans and radiation treatments continue to impede into your personal, family and social life.
The challenge is to stay positive. This is difficult as I wake up most mornings with a negative attitude to life.
It takes me time to get out of bed and get on with life.
Things that help are my wife Catherine as she is always telling me to be positive, my dog who every morning wakes me up for his morning walks, continuing with my interest in lawn bowls, helping the Salvation Army maintain their surrounds, watching the grandkids develop and being with family and friends.
Catherine and my family continue to be the strength to keep me going and I thank them for their love.
My message to all men of all ages is that you need to continue to have regular prostate tests done.
If diagnosed with cancer then use all the support services that are available on the web, support groups etc.
You then need to stay strong and accept the support of your family and not be frightened by the path ahead.
Challenge yourself in all aspects whether social, family and sporting to keep you ahead of issues such as depression.
Believe me, depression, loss of your manhood and anger will take you down if you are not strong.
If you can master the latter then you will move on with your life — if you weaken and adopt “I am over all this” then life can become a drag.
What holds for me in the future — do the things that are on our bucket list and stay strong and provide support to my family and partner.
Especially the latter, as she also feels the challenges you are facing and has to work hard to stay strong and supportive of me.
Stay safe and strong.
Regards
Lee and Catherine Farrell
