One of our volunteers has shared their story. If you would like to contact Mike for advice or to talk, please message us as he has offered to support anyone in need.

Mike & Roy Orbison's Story

Getting a diagnosis

My name is Mike Murdoch born 1957 I live in Thurso, Caithness I moved here from Ayrshire in 1978 to work in Dounreay, got married had 3 Kids, bought a house had to go offshore to pay for it and everything in the garden was rosy until. I was diagnosed with ‘Stage 4 Prostate Cancer ‘whilst I was still working offshore 2023. My main symptoms were trouble peeing hence it was seeing the doctor and get the initial intrusive test ‘DRE’ namely a finger up your bum. The doctor confirmed my prostate was enlarged but not greatly enlarged on which I also gave a blood sample in order to check my PSA Level. This was all in September 2023 and I was going to visit my daughter in Dubai in November. So, the next thing when I was offshore on the rig (Day 1 of a 3 Week Trip) I got a message from home to phone Inverness Urology Department.

I spoke to a doctor who informed me I had a high PSA result and should come in for various tests. I told him that I was going to Dubai when I got of the rig and could I delay it until I came back on which he said ‘I fully suspect you have Prostate Cancer' and the result was that high the cancer may have left the prostate to other organs . I then replied ‘Well if I have to cancel the Dubai Trip for further tests then it bloody well better be cancer’ expecting a laugh but it fell on deaf ears. I then cancelled Dubai and made a date for further tests when I got of the rig. It was a tough trip after that news on day 1 of a 3-week trip. I think I was in a state of shock but like any good Scotsman I kept it to myself. The guy I worked with closest could tell the mood change after the phone call.

This happens a lot offshore with bad phone calls from home. I remember once 33 years ago when, due to bad weather, the accommodation barge I was living on lost all its anchors and went adrift. This was the biggest evacuation in the north sea at the time 200 men with helicopters coming from all directions to airlift us to other neighbouring platforms and barges I was airlifted to another accommodation barge and a day later got a message that my father had died. Offshore is a bad place to get bad news .

I was 66 when I got the news from the Urologist I was working after my retirement age due to the fact I loved my job. I was a Senior High Voltage Authorised Electrical Technician and had decided to work until I was 70 providing my health allowed this. With the news and also knowing the fact that my father had prostate cancer prior to his death I knew then this was the end of my career and this was my last trip offshore. I managed to get through the trip and secretly emptied all my lockers, emptied my desk leaving numerous big bars of chocolate for my workmates I then sadly left the rig for the last time and signed on the sick awaiting further tests.

Suggestions to consider at this stage:

· If prostate cancer is in your family get tested early. You can ask for a PSA Test in Scotland if you are 50 or over.

· When you here bad news like this don’t bottle it up, talk about it for the sake of your mental health.

The next thing how to tell the family. I’ll wait to come of the rig to tell the wife no point when I’ve still got 3 Weeks to go. She was quite upset but I think like me when I put in the Blood Test (PSA) we knew it wasn’t going to be good news. We kept everything between ourselves until we got the MRI & Biopsy results in Inverness. We got the results in Inverness which was even worse namely in the prostate out the prostate to the neck of the bladder one of my ribs and the lymph nodes. I, being the Alpha Male, took the reins and decided how we would tell the kids and passed that task over to the wife. She then headed to the Hotel to tell the kids, and I headed to the first watering hole for a couple of large G&T’s. I have 3 daughters, one being 8 months pregnant at the time, I think I had the easier task.

Mike as Roy Orbison ringing the bell after his last chemotherapy session to cheer everyone and himself up.

Timeline from first symptoms - Chemotherapy completion.

Support

I was also dealing with home visits from a Senior Palliative & Cancer Care Nurse during my chemotherapy sessions whose job was in jeopardy due to NHS cutbacks. So, I contacted my local MP & The John O’Groats Journal as regards this and after an interview with me they printed this article. So much for me once telling the wife to keep the fact that I have cancer to just to close friends and family as in, lets tell the whole county .

Alas the position was lost due to lack of fundings. I still feel very strong about how this position is vitally important and should be re-instated at the first opportunity and I personally will be fighting for this.

I went through chemotherapy very well and I had my wife there for my support. The article was about someone who was really struggling with it and its side effects and having no one for support whereas the lost position was someone who did home visits during your sessions sitting on your couch dealing with your problems and you weren’t dealing with a switchboard.

Another lifeline for the community of Caithness and Sutherland is The North Highland Cancer and Information Support Centre. If my journey has touched you in any way feel free to contact them via the 'contact us' option above. They offer holistic therapies, counselling, group activities, financial advice and provide a listening ear to anyone in need.

Roy Orbison having his last chemotherapy session.

Side effects of hormone therapies - growing breasts!

The things I have learned from journey which may help you are :-

  • If Prostate Cancer is in your family get tested, everyone in Scotland over 50 is entitled if you ask.

  • If you have symptoms, in my case trouble urinating, see your doctor don’t delay.

  • If symptoms , diagnosis , treatment , work or family issues are affecting your mental health speak about it seek help.

  • Try to think positive.

  • The main thing that has affected me has with cancer diagnosis, forced retirement , telling my family and post chemotherapy treatment was trying to stay positive .I found that due to cancer and how it affected my physical fitness there was numerous things that I could no longer do was not dwell on that but focus on the things one could do.

  • Ask your doctor all and any questions. I have shared a list of useful questions to ask which can be accessed here.

The main thing that has helped me move forward was volunteering for my local cancer support centre who are always seeking new members and volunteers!