However, like most things Mike Riddell did in his life, the book he wrote is witty, to the point and immensely enjoyable.
His wife, Rosemary, said she knew Mr Riddle was writing a book about his prostate cancer journey. It was some time after his death, when she decided his study could be put to better use, that she did a deep dive on his computer and found the manuscript.
The title had been chosen — Wonky Ponk Down Under — the phrase the mother of a close friend, despite raising eight children, always used when referring to any intimate body issues.
Mr Riddell’s humour and honesty shines through his story. He went to the doctor only after consulting Google and was confident he knew what was wrong and what would fix it.
Rectal examinations, gel and hot flushes from hormone treatment are all approached factually, but at the same time entertainingly.
Mrs Riddell said her husband endured each stage of treatment without complaint, but after four chemotherapy sessions had decided that was enough of that.
He ultimately died of a heart attack in his sleep five years after his diagnosis.
More than 4000 men each year were diagnosed with prostate cancer, but men were not as good as women at raising awareness and talking about it, she said.
"Women are so smart about raising the profile [of their specific cancers]. We check, men not so much. They ignore it, or Google it."
With help from Maniototo editor Paula Wagemaker, Mrs Riddell prepared the book for publication.
New Zealand publishers did not believe there was a market for it, so she took it to the United Kingdom.
It was well received and is available in book shops there and on Amazon.
The book is dedicated to "all the blokes brave enough to go to the doctor".
Mr Riddell was unfortunate to have an aggressive form of cancer. His father also had prostate cancer but had a much better outcome.
Humour and straightforward language make Wonky Ponk Down Under an easy read, laced with some great advice for any man. And it should encourage him to be brave enough to go to the doctor.
