Peter’s Story

Peter McGarrie’s Story

I have lived in Lockerbie all my life. I was born in 1945 and lived with my parents and sister Joyce.

My first jobs were as an electrical apprentice and then a tv engineer.

In 1968 I joined ICI in Dumfries as an Instrument Artificer. I worked there for the next 40 years till retirement in 2008. Over the years I had many different roles in Control engineering. During the years, new technology had a huge impact on the operation of the plants.

I met my wife Alison in the mid-60s, the young sister of one of my good friends. We married in 1970 and have two daughters, Joanne and Lynne, married to partners Craig and Duncan. They have given us two grandsons and two granddaughters, who we love dearly.

I am a keen golfer and for 61 years have been a member of Lockerbie Golf Club, and am also a member of Southerness golf club. I have also been a keen curler since Lockerbie Ice rink opened in 1967.

My Prostate problems began in 2019 when I saw my GP because of nighttime loo visits. My prostate was found to be slightly enlarged. Following on from that I had an MRI and a biopsy which found nothing abnormal.

In April 2022 I noticed blood in my semen. Oncology at DGRI initiated further investigations including X-ray, MRI and biopsy. In September I was informed that I had cancer. My son in law, Craig put me in touch with Roly Proudlock from Prostate Buddies D & G who suggested we meet for a coffee. We had a great chat, and he was able to appease my worries.

Towards the end of 2022 we went to the Western General Infirmary to learn from a doctor about radiotherapy treatment and then we met surgeon, Prof Alan McNeil. After discussion I decided on a Radical Prostatectomy as there was less chance of a return of the cancer. My operation took place in May and I was only in hospital overnight.

By then Alison and I had been going to the Buddies for several months and had been given lots of support and helpful information. We both appreciate this and hope that others will benefit from the experience the Buddies and Partners offer.

I’m now one of the trained ‘Buddies’ and Alison has also had this training to be a ‘Partner’.

10.01.25