Mind over matter is a belief that thoughts can shape reality, and Arundel local David Prowd is living proof of it.
The 63 year old credits his mental strength for getting him through one of the toughest experiences of his life, and he hopes sharing his story will help others facing their own health battles.
David’s journey began in September 2025 when he noticed swelling on the side of his neck. At first, he brushed it off as having “slept funny”, but something told him to get it checked.
“For some reason, I felt there was something wrong and knew I had to get it checked out,” David said.
“I made a doctor’s appointment for the next day, got an ultrasound, and it all happened pretty quickly from there when they saw my lymph nodes were inflamed.”
Scans revealed a growth on the top of David’s soft palate - cancer.
Further investigation found a second, smaller tumour on his tonsil, which turned out to be the primary site.
Despite hearing the news no one wants to receive, David said the words from his doctor immediately put him at ease.
“The doctor said, ‘don’t worry, we’ve got this,’ which was very encouraging for me, and I’d already decided I was going to complete the treatment,” he said.
David began 35 rounds of radiation and seven rounds of chemotherapy at Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) in December 2025.
“The way I approached it was that everyone’s goal at the hospital was to treat me and make me better, so I needed to do what I was told and be a good patient,” he said.
“The one thing I could take care of was my mindset. Just being told you have cancer can break your mind, but you can’t dwell on that - you’ve got to believe you’ll get better.”
Along with his positive mindset and committed care team, David credits his partner Kim for getting him through his treatment.
“Kim has been my backbone at home, and I’ve also got a big support network of family and friends,” he said.
Kim said she was blown away by the level of care.
“They treat every patient as an individual,” she said.
“The staff are just wonderful and they create an amazing atmosphere for the patients.”
David had experienced this same care years earlier when he was admitted to GCUH for myopericarditis - an inflammation of the sac around the heart that can be life threatening.
“I knew by the way the staff treated me then that I would be treated with respect, and I could see how passionate they all were about helping people,” he said.
“The treatment here has been exceptional every time I have come.”
Registered Nurse Jodie Lordan supported David through his treatment in the day oncology unit, praising him for his positive mindset.
“I developed a deep appreciation for David from the outset, as his positivity had a profound impact on fellow patients undergoing treatment,” Jodie said.
To celebrate completing his treatment, David brought in one of his signature singlets for the team to sign. It’s now a keepsake of his GCUH family.
“It felt like more than just turning up for treatment every time - I actually looked forward to seeing the team’s smiling faces,” he said.
“The whole team made me feel like a person, and that’s all anyone ever really wants.”
These days, David is still navigating the lingering side effects of treatment, which he describes as “a new adventure” each day, but his spirits remain high.
“I count my lucky stars and feel very blessed for the support I’ve had and that the treatment went as well as it did,” he said.
“I truly believe I will have a positive outcome - it’s just a waiting game now. For now, I’m resting up and trying to get back to normal life.”
