Having experienced almost no illness in my long and distinguished career as a human being, I was somewhat surprised to be told, following an endoscopy, “You have Cancer”.
My diagnosis had only been possible via this route following a protracted series of GP appointments, culminating in me happening to tell the Paramedic Practitioner at my local surgery that a friend chanced to remind me that I had twice had an attack of the hiccups when sat next to her at dinner. He recommended the endoscopy “Just to be on the safe side” and changed my life; and most likely saved it too. Thank you Karl.
Identification
Working in a very social environment with many points of contact, I had assumed in late 2022 and early 2023 that I was experiencing re-infections of covid, as so many of my brewery colleagues seemed to be having. I had a continual sore throat and feelings of tiredness and occasional nausea – but nothing that seemed out of the ordinary. Eventually, and completely against type, I went to the doctor where I was examined thoroughly (ears, nose, throat, chest) and was told to rest and self-medicate. Even more against type, I went back again three weeks later when the throat had remained sore. The only available appointment was with the Paramedic Practitioner Karl Goodall, with whom I had a similar set of examinations all to no avail. Then he asked: “Are there any other symptoms? No matter how odd”. That prompted me to remember a conversation with a friend who had happened to mention that I had hiccupped at dinner. I was sent for an endoscopy straight away.
I was diagnosed with an Oesophageal tumour which then necessitated chemotherapy which, although a difficult treatment with many peculiar side-effects, was successful enough to allow me to undergo a 13 hour surgery to remove the tumour, lymph nodes and Oesophagus and form a new connection to my digestive tract using my stomach to form a new Oesophagus. I was lucky enough to be operated on robotically by the incredible surgical team at Royal Surry County Hospital and but for a slight concern over one investigative scan, would have been home in just over a week, which, for such an extensive surgery, was almost unbelievable. This technological advance is just one of the incredible innovations and programmes that make the hospital stand out as a beacon of excellence in Cancer care, nationally and even internationally. I was so well taken care of during my recovery period that I feel it has given me an incredible insight into the workings of the whole hospital and how focused and detailed the treatment plan is but also how best to navigate your time during such an all-consuming and difficult period in unusual circumstances and surroundings.
Life after treatment...
Treatment
Following additional chemotherapy and a period of rehabilitation I resumed life, significantly changed, significantly lighter but significantly “better”. The changes I experienced in my everyday life were mainly linked to eating – little and often with some exclusions – and drinking – no carbonation for me I’m afraid. But I followed a healthier diet in terms of volumes and thought about what, how much and when I ate a lot more. As taste gradually came back I could enjoy eating and drinking more, but differently and significantly more inventively.
However, I experienced a setback, inasmuch as I had a recurrence of the cancer following a short period after my initial treatment plan. Nothing could have been done to prevent this – just bad luck I’m afraid – so I restarted the treatment path as before. Chemotherapy treatment for a defined period then opened up the chance of radiotherapy twinned with chemotherapy which meant a whole new set of departments with whom to interact! Following that intensive treatment I find myself in a good place, open to additional, more experimental treatments as well as some focusing on my mental and attitudinal well-being and whilst I would clearly not have wished to experience this again, I can learn from past experiences and hopefully offer more profound and informed advice through the vehicle of the charity. So, here I am.
