Hello!

 

I’m shaving my head to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and I need your help. I’m a 21 year old art student at Northumbria University in Newcastle and I work part time at Simply be in Gateshead, Metrocentre. I want to raise awareness of cancer and particularly Macmillan who not only support those affected by cancer but the people closest to them. My Dad was diagnosed with cancer at the young age of 29, hear his story below.

 

 

James MacPherson – Survivor.

 

“While serving in the army I had, at the age of 29, the misfortune to be diagnosed with cancer. It was of course a very worrying time; I thought that it was going to be the end for me and my career. I was due promotion to sergeant and was preparing myself for a selection board which would set me on course to become a Warrant Officer first class, I had everything going for me. I was in a military hospital for over 4 months. I was downgraded for 2 years after my treatment before being allowed to resume normal duties. While I was over the moon to be a cancer survivor, my army career was tatters; I had lost the promotion I was due and owing to the length of time downgraded, lost the opportunity to go on the selection board. I however completed my Army career and left in 1993 as a Staff Sergeant, although disappointed that I hadn't reached my goal.

After leaving the army I began working for an engineering company and reached the position of Supervisor.  My wife and I were making plans for me to take early retirement and for us to emigrate to Thailand, everything was going to plan until around 2 years ago; A routine company medical showed I had a breathing problem and I was advised to see my GP who referred me to a consultant as my GP thought I may have Asthma. I was booked in for a scan the following week. 3 weeks later I had the follow up appointment. He explained that the scan had showed that I had a malignant tumour in my throat and that he was going to fill out an urgent case form for me to see an ENT consultant. I asked him to explain further on the diagnosis and he said “You have a cancer tumour in your throat. I am going to have to pass you on to the department who deals with cases like yours.” I was distraught. My wife and I had made our plans for the future and in an instant our dreams had been shattered. The next 10 days were terrible, I didn't want to tell my parents until we knew how bad it was as they are in their eighties and it would have been detrimental to their health. Also we didn't want to tell our daughter as she was in college preparing to go on to university and we didn't want her studies affected.  I was in no fit state to go to work and just sat at home worrying, I had beaten cancer once and didn't know if I could beat it a second time, also, I was single when I first had cancer but now I was married with a wife and daughter depending on me.  On top of this was our plan to emigrate. We’d already sold our house and were living in a rented property. If things went really bad and I was unable to continue working, we could end up with no money and nowhere to live! With nobody to turn to my wife and I were going to pieces.

 

After 10 days I was called to go to see the ENT consultant. There was a nurse in attendance. The consultant carried out some checks and the nurse then took my wife and I into another room. She introduced herself to us saying that she was a Macmillan Nurse and would be there for us whenever we wanted support. She explained the role of Macmillan Nurses and gave us her card with her telephone number.  She then explained what was going to happen to when I went to theatre and the possible scenarios after that.  We talked for quite some time and when we left the hospital that day it felt as if a great weight had been lifted off our shoulders, we finally had somebody to turn to for support. I felt so much better within myself that I was able to return to work.

 

On the day I went into hospital, the Macmillan nurse came to the day ward to see me and asked how my wife and I were coping. She said she was surprised that we hadn't contacted her since the appointment and reminded me that she was always there for us.  She chatted to me for a while, and again put me at my ease before she had to go. The following week I was called for the follow-up appointment and was given the best news that I did not have a tumour after all. I would still require tests on my thyroid gland but there was no cancer. My wife and I were over the moon. I couldn't thank the Macmillan Nurse enough, as up until she came on the scene everything seemed hopeless. Up until this appointment we had only met on two occasions but she had managed to allay our fears and put us back on track, I will always be grateful for her support.”

 

 I am proud to say he beat cancer and I know without the help and support from the Macmillan nurses, things could have been very different. The date and time of the event are yet to be confirmed but I encourage anyone who can donate to start now! Macmillan are the difference and I want people to know.

Thank you for your support,

Melissa x