Lymphoma Action is the UK’s only charity dedicated to lymphoma, the fifth most common cancer.

We’ve been providing in-depth, expert information and wide-ranging support for over 30 years, helping thousands of people affected by lymphoma. Our work drives improvements in the diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare of lymphoma.

We’re here for everyone affected by lymphoma. https://lymphoma-action.org.uk/

My story.

It was purely by chance that on Wednesday 16th October 2015 I was given the news that I had been diagnosed as suffering from Low Grade Non-Hogkin Lymphoma.

My brother had been told that he had Haemachromatosis - a condition that blocks the body's ability to process excess iron in the blood - and as this ailment is hereditary, he suggested that it might be wise if I had myself tested.

In the event, my test results came back negative, but my eagle-eyed GP had noticed that my white bloodcell count was abnormally high.

"How did I feel? Was I getting drenching night sweats? Did I suffer with itchy skin? Any swollen glands?"

"No to all of the above. I felt fine." but still curious / concerned about this, she ordered more blood tests..... then a CT Scan...... then an appointment with the Haematology Clinic at my local hospital, and following that, having admitted that while 'something' wasn't right but had no idea what it might be, they sent me for a bone marrow biopsy.

It was shortly after this that I was given the news - very early stage Lymphoma - incurable, but manageable - no treatment yet - the ballance between healthy bloodcells and diseased cells is critical. So now I was on Watch-and-wait. I would be monitored, and was monitored until February 6th 2018, and time for six rounds of Chemo / Immunotherapy (two days of treatment followed be twenty-six days off, repeated six times).

I was unbelievably fortunate. I sailed through this treatment with only one noticable side effect. I was absolutely knackered to three or four days after, like if some job needed to be done, it either got sorted between 9am and midday, or it had to wait until I had some energy.

By the end of this treatment, my Lymphoma was undetectable - not cured, remember, but managed. It will return at some point, but the way it was explained to me - it is more than likely that Lymphoma is something I will die with rather than die of - and I call that a result!!

Like I said, I consider myself to be incredibly lucky. Not only did I have an easy ride through the treatment program, during my time on watch-and-wait I rarely even thought about what might happen, but then I've always been a person with a glass half full, but there are many people who will go into a complete tailspin of anxiety / depression just by the diagnosis alone, and this is where LYMPHOMA ACTION come into their own.

From being a source of valuable information, a fabulous support network, helplines, live chat via their website, to operating a 'Buddy Service, - all this is on offer to help those having a tough time of things, but, of course, this needs funding, and as a registered charity, it is totally dependant on public donations, but in these times of spiralling-out-of-control living costs, charitable donations tend to get shoved onto the backburner.

So this is what I'm going to do. Forget running a half-marathon - I'm way too old for that! But when I heard that, on February 6th 2022, the hospital had noticed that the faint signature of my Lymphoma had been recognised, so back on watch-and-wait, I decided to let my hair grow out, and get it hacked back for wig manufacture once I had a date for treatment.

I flagged this up to LYMPHOMA ACTION, and after some persuasion...... and I have to say, much against my better judgement, I agreed to look into the posibility of getting it tinted in the charity's colours...... which are...... wait for it...... Purple and...... Turquoise??

WHAT? NOW HANG ON? This is going to be like, super-expensive! Not only that, but it's bizzar enough just to wander around town as a 72 year-old man with hair halfway down his back, and now I'm considering the prospect of going muli-coloured? Isn't there a law against that sort of behaviour?

There isn't? Well, there should be!

Ah-ha! So, okay. I will do it, IF I manage to find someone who will do it for free! Yeah! That should do it? Never gonna happen, right?

Wrong!

HEART OF ENGLAND TRAINING LTD of Rugby would be absolutely delighted to set their Level Three NVQ Hair and Beauty students loose on my locks.

DAMN!

So, here I am. A freaky old bloke. Hair down below his shoulder blades. The front left of which is tinted a rather startling shade of turquoise - the back left, purple - the rear right, turquoise again, and just to ballance the whole thing out, the front right, purple!

I'm now way outside of my comfort zone, and the thought of being seen, and probably laughed at in public is altogether horrifying. BUT...... if it starts a conversation, AND if it goes some way to raise the profile of this horrible disease, and THE ICING ON THE CAKE...... if by the so-doing I can raise some money for LYMPHOMA ACTION, then BRING IT ON!

LYMPHOMA ACTION - Contact details:

Helpline: (Freephone) 0808 808 5555

Emai: information@lymphoma-action.org.uk

Website: https://www.lymphoma-action.org.uk

Services available Monday - Friday, 10am - 3pm

Address: Unit 3, Bell Business Park, Smeaton Close, Aylesbury HP19 8JR

Thank you!!