Rex Mackrill, a 65-year-old from Tetbury, Gloucestershire, received a diagnosis of incurable stage four prostate cancer after monitoring his PSA levels due to family history of the disease. He underwent chemotherapy, which he said caused significant physical tolls, and now manages the side effects of hormone treatment, including severe fatigue. The diagnosis forced him to leave his job as a GP practice manager and prompted a broader reflection on his life priorities and values.
Beyond the cancer itself, Mackrill has identified what he describes as his greatest regret: living for decades with unprocessed childhood trauma without recognizing its influence. For much of his adult life, he experienced anxiety he could not explain until age 60, when a life coach suggested he had experienced trauma. He was subsequently diagnosed with PTSD stemming from childhood abuse. Mackrill noted that delayed diagnoses of PTSD are not uncommon, with symptoms sometimes emerging years after traumatic events occur. Research indicates that around one in 10 people in the UK are expected to experience PTSD at some point in their lives.
Mackrill pursued treatment through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy, which he credits with significantly improving his quality of life. He reported that his anxiety levels decreased substantially following these interventions and that the changes influenced multiple aspects of his daily experience. He now advocates for others to seek professional help rather than managing difficulties alone, encouraging people to speak with their GP or a trusted person about obstacles they face.
As he faces his terminal diagnosis, Mackrill has redirected his focus toward being present in moments and preparing for his death in ways that will ease burdens on his family. He has engaged with end-of-life planning sessions at Longfield Hospice in Minchinhampton and has begun donating possessions to charity. He has found meaning in simple observations and has taken up poetry writing. His primary message to others emphasizes enjoying life’s moments and recognizing the value of the present rather than delaying important personal work.
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