In his career as a chemical engineer, Mike has lived a fast-paced and often stressful life. Originally from UK, but a Singapore permanent resident for several years, Mike has travelled frequently around SE Asia working on various projects as well spending too many hours sitting behind an office desk.
His job and lifestyle took its toll and he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013. Following surgery to remove his prostate it was several weeks before he could travel or do any heavy lifting. Unfortunately he required salvage radiotherapy 9 months later and during this period he lost quite a lot of weight. Hormone treatment followed soon after that, so all this has taken quite a physical toll on his body. Not surprisingly, there was also a psychological toll, with hormone therapy in particular having a number of adverse side effects, including fatigue, hot flashes, and mood swings.
This was when Mike was introduced to SCS Walnut Warriors, a support group set up especially for prostate cancer patients and survivors. Over the past year or so he has found many benefits sharing with this community of fellow survivors who are facing similar journeys. Also, when the SCS Rehabilitation Centre opened at the end of 2015, he jumped at the opportunity to join the Next Step programme for survivors.
After several months on the Next Step programme, Mike feels healthier and fitter than before his prostate cancer diagnosis. Initially weighing 112kg he had dropped to 92kg after radiation treatment and is a little over 100kg today. Twice a week, he spends some time in the Cancer Rehabilitation Centre gym and on Thursdays he meets other Walnut Warriors for a Man Plan exercise class; a one hour routine using resistance bands. On Friday mornings he enjoys 2-3 hours walking around Singapore’s parks and reserves with some of his buddies from the support group, all of which adds to Mike’s improving health and positive frame of mind.
Mike has found the SCS Cancer Rehab gym particularly important in building muscle mass and improving his flexibility. He said he hadn’t realised just how stiff his lower spine was until working out on the many exercise machines that are designed to strengthen each muscle group. He affirmed “Diet, exercise, psychological support and sleep are very important for anyone on a cancer journey. The support I get from my family and the SCS Walnut Warriors ensures I stay positive and motivated to move on. Treatment is about staying alive. Family and friends are about living. I feel good.”