Prostate cancer survivor Ray – ‘It’s tough; you always have to be aware if there’s a toilet around ’
Train driver Ray Finnerty from Mayo first thought the stiffness he was feeling in his legs in late 2019 was from the amount of cycling he had been doing.
However, as the issue continued to worsen the father-of-three took his concerns to the GP, who ordered tests to discover if there might be another cause of the problem.
His GP had some concerns of her own about the results, and Ray was sent to the rapid prostate clinic in Galway to have a biopsy taken. Within a month he received the unwanted news that he had an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
“I found it hard to take it all in because it was a big shock,” says Ray. "It felt like a slap in the mouth. At 47 years of age I never expected it. Thankfully it was caught just in time, and I have three young kids so I have to keep going. Neighbours, friends and family have all been very supportive.
I was on the operating table within two weeks, the rapid prostate clinic in Galway were absolutely brilliant.
“I’m also hugely indebted to my wife Patricia who has been incredibly supportive.”
His consultant recommended a radical prostatectomy, requiring the full removal of the prostate along with some nearby lymph nodes.
Ray has been very open about the struggles he has faced since then, from the difficulties of navigating the at-times complex application process for social welfare illness supports, to the physical challenges that have arisen from his surgery, including things like continence issues.
“It’s tough; you always have to be aware if there’s a toilet around.
“I can find it hard going into a small town with no public toilet facilities to go up to someone at a checkout to ask them if they would mind letting me use the toilet, and then they might have to ask the manager,” says Ray, who wants to encourage more awareness of urgent access toilet cards such as the ones provided by the Irish Cancer Society.
Ray hopes that by sharing his own story he can encourage other men to look after their health and get checked regularly for any problems that might arise.
“If I can put my story out there and help someone else, then I’m happy to do that.”
Contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line
If you have worries or concerns about cancer, you can speak confidentially to an Irish Cancer Society Cancer Nurse through the Freephone Support Line on 1800 200 700.
Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm
For more information
Phone
1800 200 700
