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What Lies Within
CECIL BERNARD
by Gillian Clarke
Cecil Bernard, an extremely tall and powerfully built gentleman, is to no one’s surprise a product of the military where he rose to the rank of major. Today he heads the nation’s Industrial Court, however when you talk to him, almost belying his long history of leadership you meet a very gentle and humble man. His voice carries such tones of reassurance and confidence that it is difficult to believe that some three years ago he had to contend with the reality of being diagnosed a victim of prostate cancer.
Truly a man who epitomizes putting others before self, he mentions his willingness to counsel persons who call him or even approach him on the street. He has even appeared on national television in his efforts to help persons deal with cancer. He adds, “I do this quite willingly, openly and without hesitation, as I sincerely believe that my journey since being diagnosed with cancer can help others similarly circumstanced.
Bernard says “I never thought of myself as being terminally ill. I just simply did not allow that negative thought to permeate my mind.” He also explained that he did not allow the fact that he had cancer to dominate his life and prevent him from doing the things that he was accustomed doing.
His life did not undergo any radical change. His completely positive approach worked, since he experienced very few complications resulting from his condition and was able to successfully overcome his illness. Fortunately for Mr. Bernard, he had picked up early an indication of the problem, as during a routine executive medical examination an irregularity in the shape of his prostate gland was discovered.
Then, pondering a little while, he offered this general advice. “Screening procedures for prostate cancer,” he advises, “are available at clinics in Trinidad and Tobago and these services should be availed of by all those at risk so as to increase the chance of early detection and to improve significantly the chance for successful treatment and full recovery.”
Returning to his particular case he recalls that the first laboratory analysis of the biopsy done on his prostate produced a negative result. His doctor however was not fully satisfied with the result and insisted on doing a scanned biopsy. This time the lab report came back positive. He recounts with gratitude the fact that his doctors were relentless in their efforts on his behalf, and provided him with detailed information on his diagnosis, the treatment options available, the possible side effects, and the prognosis for recovery all of which assured him that he was in very capable hands.
As we chat, he makes mention of his second marriage of some 23 years, and his 4 children and the fact that his diagnosis was revealed to his wife and children only a short while before the application of his chosen treatment regimen brachytheraphy. “I cannot value too highly now,” he says, “the ardent support of my wife and children in the aftercare process”. He believes that his protective instinct for his family, and his desire to shield them from a potentially alarming situation were among the reasons for his decision not to have informed them earlier of the fact that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Bernard advocates that regular routine testing should be done when a man reaches 50 years and even earlier, if there has been an incidence of cancer in his family’s history. Prostate specific antigen testing coupled with a digital rectal examination should be done to provide a preliminary diagnosis. These examinations should be followed if necessary by an invasive procedure, a biopsy. All of the above should be attempted if one is to achieve an accurate diagnosis of one’s situation.
Where treatment was concerned Mr. Bernard opted for a non surgical procedure called brachytheraphy. He assures that the procedure was relatively simple and non painful.
BRACHTHERAPHY involves the implantation of tiny radioactive pellets into the prostate. These pellets are smaller than a grain of rice and emit very low energy radioactive rays which are absorbed almost entirely by the prostate. It has been found that brachytheraphy as a treatment regimen has similar success rates to surgery but with the advantage that it presents much lower complications.
His discomfort, he explained, came after he had completed the procedure. He found it to be challenging to deal with the urge to frequently empty his bladder. He indicated that he avoided going out to shows since he found that he needed to visit the gent’s room several times during a performance.
He stressed that he needed the man in the street to know that prostrate cancer was not a death sentence and the key to victory over the disease was in breaking the cycle of ignorance. It can affect anyone. The disease unfortunately does not discriminate and no race or religion is eliminated from the furious cycle of this disease. Mr. Bernard worked throughout his treatment, demonstrating at one and the same time his commitment to his job and his capacity for leadership.
His staff shows him respect, admiration and regard. Everyone maintains a high degree of courtesy towards him coupled with professionalism. One can only express admiration for this man, undoubtedly a tower of strength. When he talks of his family there is a glimmer in his eyes. He indicates that his illness has brought his family much closer together. He demonstrated throughout his illness the power of positivism as he took charge of the situation and his family. Some may feel that he handled it alone but he explains “when life brings you unique challenges, and you are not sure exactly what is to be done, you let Christ be your guide in all of your ways.”
The position of never believing himself to be given a death sentence has reflected the enormous effects of positive thinking and strong belief. He says quite humbly, that he did what he had to do. That can be an enormous challenge since he balanced his private and work life. For most of us, we can only learn from his experience as he assists us in getting through our journeys. Mr Bernard exudes the most powerful gift that only God can give. It is the gift of unselfish love.
Bernard acknowledges that he continues to put the lives of his loved ones first, his family, his employees and the people he supports in their time of confusion and illness. He said that he has been able to help others overcome their fears sometimes privately at other times publicly. And he volunteers to help anyone who needs advice or someone to just listen to their problems.
One cannot help but admire how this man was able to deal with this challenge. The positive outlook that God has blessed him with assists him as he continues to excel in his myriad roles as husband, father, leader, friend and counsellor.
Today he is CANCER FREE. A positive outlook helped him to recognize the opportunity to help others and kept him strong in his belief that nothing can defeat the power of positive love.