Health · Mental Health · 1 day ago
Man with terminal cancer reflects on trauma and finding joy in daily life
Rex Mackrill has incurable prostate cancer and says he is trying to appreciate small moments.
He also says childhood trauma affected him for years before he understood what was behind his anxiety.
Therapy helped him, and he urges people who are struggling to seek support.
His story shows how health challenges can prompt people to rethink what matters to them.
Rex Mackrill, 65, from Tetbury, Gloucestershire, says a diagnosis of incurable stage four prostate cancer has made him reflect on his life and priorities.
He says his biggest regret is carrying childhood trauma for decades without understanding how it affected him.
A life coach noticed Mackrill appeared to shut down during a conversation when he was 60, and he later sought help and was diagnosed with PTSD.
He says Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy helped reduce his anxiety.
Chemotherapy took a significant physical toll, and hormone treatment continues to cause intense fatigue; he stopped working as a GP practice manager.
Mackrill says he now tries to notice and enjoy ordinary moments, and advises people struggling to seek help from a GP or trusted friend.
- Who
- Rex Mackrill, 65, of Tetbury, Gloucestershire
- What
- He is reflecting on life after being diagnosed with incurable stage four prostate cancer and speaking about childhood trauma, PTSD and finding joy in ordinary moments.
- When
- The cancer diagnosis date is not stated; Mackrill was 60 when a life coach noticed he appeared to shut down.
- Where
- Tetbury, Gloucestershire
- Why
- His cancer diagnosis prompted him to consider what matters most and what advice he would pass on.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I knew there was something wrong. I knew there was a blackness that I was carrying and I didn't know what it was, and I wish I'd known earlier,
Go get help. Go and see your GP.
You don't have to live like that or carry it on your own.
I used to have to go to the Lake District to be present. Now I can be much more present wherever I am.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Age
- 65
- Home
- Tetbury, Gloucestershire
- Cancer diagnosis
- Incurable stage four prostate cancer
- PTSD turning point
- A life coach noticed Mackrill appeared to shut down when he was 60
- Therapies
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
Sources
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