No matter the prognosis, cancer is a scary word. It conjures up fear, worry and the unknown. After addressing all the initial questions: What is the treatment? How to deal with a cancer diagnosis for me and my family? Will I need to stop working? What are the side effects? How bad is it?, many cancer patients will then begin the treatment path with equal fear.
76-year-old Tasmanian local, John Osborne’s fears disappeared when he began his care at Icon Cancer Centre in Hobart. After an elevated PSA reading and the tests that followed, John was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Thankfully the cancer was in its early stages but John, like many others would undergo numerous procedures and treatments that all come with an element of concern. John knew very little about radiation therapy treatment and had walked into Icon with a quiet nervousness.
“You try to pretend you aren’t worried. You put on a brave face and get on with it. But I had my concerns, it was nerve racking. So to add some little joy into my first day I decided to wear one of my bright Hawaiian shirts,” said John.
“When I walked in to Icon I was greeted by friendly faces and surrounded by other patients who didn’t look all that miserable, considering they were all somewhere they’d rather not be. I approached the girls at reception who immediately smiled and started a conversation about my choice of outfit. All of a sudden the friendly atmosphere made me feel calm.”