Robert's Story

Robert's Story

Selkirk resident Robert Wood, emerging from nearly two years of illness, is giving back to the two organisations that helped him the most, and in the process helping other men in the region to get the care they need.

Weaving Yorkshire and Scotland Together

Born and raised in West Yorkshire, Robert studied textile manufacturing and design at Dewsbury Technical and Art College where he earned his Licentiateship of the Textile Institute and went to work for well-respected textile firm Joshua Ellis. The textile industries of West Yorkshire and Scotland have always enjoyed strong links, and it was through this connection that Robert made friends in the Scottish Borders and fell in love with the natural beauty of the region.

In 1976, Robert, his wife Wendy, and his daughter Victoria moved to the Borders, settling in the Royal and Ancient Burgh of Selkirk, where they continue to enjoy living today. He went to work as a designer and later sales office manager for George Roberts at Walkerburn, part of the large Ballantyne organisation. When the Walkerburn plant closed, Robert worked at The March Street Mills plant in Peebles for several years until redundancy struck in the 1990s. After a short period working outside the textile industry, he took a job at Gardiner's of Selkirk and then, 8 years ago, moved to Heather Mills, Selkirk, where he works in the design department.

1999 found the pet-loving Wood family opening the successful Cat's Whiskers luxury cat boarding kennels from their home in the Selkirk countryside. Now cats throughout the Borders region can be pampered in heated beds and private exercise areas while their owners are away on holiday without it breaking the bank.

'You Have Cancer'

When, in 2005, Robert felt as though he had a urinary tract infection he went straight to hisGP. No one is ever prepared to hear the words, "You have cancer." and he was no exception. Soon, however, his shock turned into frustration as he was faced with a list of treatment options and little advice as to which to choose. It was during this time that Robert was helped by both The Prostate Cancer Charity and support staff at The Edinburgh Male Cancer Centre at The Western General Hospital. Armed with the information he found in The Prostate Cancer Charity's Tool Kit, he chose brachytherapy as his best treatment option.

Brachytherapy is a relatively new treatment for prostate cancer, and is a form of radiotherapy. Rather than a beam of radiation entering the body from the outside, as in traditional radiotherapy, brachytherapy utilises dozens of tiny radioactive seeds which are embedded directly into the prostate gland. It is done under general anesthesia, and is a far less invasive treatment than surgery, offering less potential damage to surrounding organs and tissues than external beam radiotherapy and more direct, focused radiation in the problem area. As with all medical conditions, not all treatments are appropriate for all people, but in Robert's case brachytherapy turned out to be the best choice.

Not that it was an easy treatment to go through. The pain and disruption to Robert's life were very difficult, and it went on for about 18 months, but during it all, he continued to work with the support and goodwill of his colleagues at Edinburgh Woollen Mill, continued to run Cat's Whiskers and keep himself on an even keel with the help and love of his friends and family.

Not all men are lucky enough to be able to choose brachytherapy even if it is their best option. The NHS does not offer the treatment evenly across the UK. In fact, it's not available at all in Wales. The unfairness of the postcode lottery is a particular issue that Robert is keen to bring to light. Men in the Scottish Borders are lucky to have the excellent Edinburgh Male Cancer Centre within about an hour's drive, but what of men who struggle to find transport or who live further away from major cancer treatment centres?

The Other Side of a Long Bridge

2007 has seen a huge improvement in Robert's condition. This is when most people would breathe a sigh of relief and pamper themselves, but as he continued to improve by leaps and bounds, he focused his will on getting fit and participating in The Great Edinburgh Run 2007, a 10k run on 6th May 2007, to raise funds for The Prostate Cancer Charity and The Edinburgh Male Cancer Centre.

His reasons for the run were both personal and charitable. He felt strongly that The Prostate Cancer Charity should be supported for the research they fund, the dedicated support they provide to men who have been diagnosed, as well as their families, and the information they provide to the public and to health care professionals. Also, he wanted to pay back at least part of the approximately £15,000 it cost the NHS to provide brachytherapy for him, so that other men in the region can get the help they need.

In late 2006, Robert turned 60, and the milestone birthday, coming as it did just when his cancer treatment side effects were beginning to ease, made the idea of the Run even more poignant. The new year found him jogging around the bridges over the Ettrick Water in Selkirk, and working out at the local sports centre absolutely dedicated to the fact that he would run, jog, walk or crawl if he had to, but he would complete that Run, and as he crossed the finish line at The Meadows that day, he would be leaving behind him the pain, the worry and the cancer.

A Trail of Weeping Women

Sunday 6th May 2007 was a day of gusting, cold wind and intermittent driving rain, but the atmosphere was light-hearted and optimistic for Robert and the approximately 10,000 other runners who gathered at The Meadows. After having scammed the best parking spot in Edinburgh, Robert, Wendy and Amy jumped the port-a-loo queue and had a handful of minutes to snap photos and say good luck before the Run began.

The Run enjoyed a timely and orderly start with the four waves of runners leaving every 7 minutes. Other Prostate Cancer Charity running vests were spotted - and cheered on - as well as a man dressed as a tin of Spam, a man wearing full bridal wear, and a slew of runners wearing bright yellow and daffodil headgear in support of the Marie Curie Foundation.

Spectators didn't have to freeze for long, as the first runners crossed the finish line in about 35 minutes. Waiting there after the finish line, Wendy and Amy got increasingly emotional until, 1hour, 11 minutes and 28 seconds after he set off, Robert came running towards them looking like he'd just had a pleasant garden stroll. Easy peasy for Robert! Within 5 minutes he'd turned in his digital anklet, received his beautiful medal and goody bag and they were all cosy in the nearby car.

There were tears aplenty, and more tears followed at Dobbie's garden centre over lunch, in the car on the way home, later that evening.... In fact, women kept crying for weeks as Robert told them how well he'd done. The man has a left a wake of weeping women behind him! In case he doesn't know it, it's because we all love him to bits, are so relieved he's well, and so outrageously proud of him. Well done Robert!!!

PS: Robert has raised over £1,650 for his two charities!!! Thanks everyone!