Liz Sheppard did everything with her husband, Paul. Whether spending time together with their three sons or heading out on their next road trip, they were inseparable. At 51, Paul never expected a prostate cancer diagnosis. For six months, Liz was by his side, supporting him through his treatment.

“The two of us drew strength from each other,” she says. “I supported him any way I could. We had a lot of fun in the hospital. The nurses loved him. We had our moments, of course, and the frustrations and the tears, but he went head on with a positive attitude.”

Liz was with Paul from the moment he was diagnosed: “I said I loved him and that we’d do whatever we had to. Our sex life wasn’t important. He knew that too, because the bond we had was so much more than that. We would do anything for each other.”
 

 
Paul passed away at the age of 52 in hospital surrounded by his family. “I wish Paul was a survivor, but it didn’t happen,” says Liz.

“But if one person catches their prostate cancer in time because I’ve told my story, I’ve done my job.”

Their time in the hospital was hard, but also full of laughter. “He was always such a joker. One day, the nurses were helping him and I go, ‘Honey, you’re in bed with five women around you!’ He just went, ‘And what can I do?’ and they just laughed. They loved to see him, even if he wasn’t their patient.”
 

Whether it’s speaking about her own experience, or encouraging others to take charge of their health, Liz is doing all she can so no one else loses their husband. She opens up on social media, and gets her workplace involved with Movember and Plaid for Dad.

She’s also kept their three sons informed since day one. “The boys spent a lot of time with their dad in the hospital, they had to have their time too,” she says. “Liam gave out awareness brochures to his teachers and wanted them to know it’s not an invasive test.”

“The boys know how important early detection is, so I know they’ll be tested.”