Ronnie’s Story:
At 48, Ronnie’s just coming to terms with a recent prostate cancer diagnosis and feels it’s vital to spread the message that men need to be aware of, and get their PSA levels checked earlier… don’t bury your head in the sand. Ronnie is joining our Dickie Dip in Skerries on the 16th November to spread the message and raise vital funds.
“On the 9th of October, I found out that I had prostate cancer.
“The last few weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotions, between trying to get my head around everything that’s going on with me and letting family and friends know.
“The one thing that I have very much had in the back of my mind is that I’m going to be alright and that I’ll get through this and hopefully come out better on the other side. I need to for my wife and kids.
“I’m being looked after by two excellent consultants at the Mater. I’ve got surgery scheduled for the 20th of November and after doing a bit of research on what I’ll be going through and more importantly, who’ll be putting me through it, I’m very confident that all will be ok.
Ronnie and the family dog, Daisy
“With all that said, the other thing that has occurred to me after talking to family, friends, colleagues and strangers over the last couple of weeks is that prostate cancer is such a common disease amongst men…..usually they would be a generation older than me (I’m 48), but it’s a conversation that’s never had, in my experience, unless you’re affected directly by it.
“I’m the perfect example of why this is something that needs to be spoken about. How it’s something that doesn’t just affect men over 50… it doesn’t discriminate against anyone… regardless of their age. Statistics say that 1 in 7 men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime and 1 in 3 men will have some sort of issue with their prostate. They really aren’t great odds!
“So, maybe, there needs to be a standard test? Imagine how many men’s lives might be saved……dozens, hundreds, thousands? Who knows? Even if it only saved one person’s life, surely it would be worth carrying out a simple test?
“I just happened to ask my GP to check my PSA levels when I went for a recent check-up in August… and about 8 weeks later here we are. I’m thinking that I’m one of the few, fortunate people who have managed to catch this very curable cancer early and I’m lucky enough to be getting it dealt with so soon.
“However, I know it will have a major impact on my life, and I can confirm, first hand, that those words “you have cancer’ is something that no one ever wants to, or should ever have to, hear…… But I have heard them and I’ve no choice but to deal with it and get myself better.
“Whatever decision you take to deal with it, radiotherapy, surgery or leave it be and ignore it, it’s going to have major life changing consequences on you and those closest to you.
“I’ve taken the advice of the two professional people who I feel are best qualified to advise me and due to my age and relatively healthy condition, I’ve decided to go down the route of surgery. Like most people in these circumstances, I’m wondering what the side effects of surgery will be?
“However, I’m prepared to put up some side effects rather than face the alternative…
“Everyone who goes through what I’m going to go through will have different outcomes, some good and some not so good. I decided early on after getting the diagnosis that I didn’t want to know about other people’s experiences as it would potentially cloud my judgement and maybe make me change my mind.
“I’ve also decided that I’m going to keep a positive mindset and not dwell too much on the negatives. Normally I wouldn’t be the sort of person who thinks ‘positivity will get me through this’ or usually have that power of positive thinking kind of attitude, but hearing ‘those words’ puts a different perspective on life, to put it mildly.
“Although I avoided reading about other’s experiences, I feel it’s vital to raise awareness for men about the importance of getting either a very simple prostate exam or asking to get your PSA levels checked when you visit your GP, whatever your age.
“That’s why, I’ve signed up for the Dickie Dip – and, it’s a very worthy cause to be getting behind. I’ll also be hoping to raise as much as I can to support the incredible work that all the staff, the nurses and doctors in The Mater Hospital do, and to help those who will go through this journey in the future.”
Ronnie Cummins, Naas, Co Kildare
There’s still time to join Ronnie and the rest of our Dippers in Skerries on Saturday, 16th November by signing up here: www.materfoundation.ie/dickiedip-register
Or, if you can’t make it, you can support our dippers here:
https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/campaign/The_Dickie_Dip_2024
Thank You 🧡
