Members
GBP ^

Subtotal: £119.99

View basketCheckout

Cancer Care Parcel Logo
Cancer Care Parcel Logo

Subtotal: £119.99

View basketCheckout

For Everyone Touched By Cancer

How Cancer Changed My Life: An Inspiring Perspective

Written by Chris Lewis on 
3rd October, 2017
Updated: 31st January, 2024
Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

In 2007 I was running my own business and flying all over the world with it.

My children were growing up and finalising their education and my wife had recently retired. Our lifestyle was great and we had no financial worries at all.

Up to then, at the age of 51 I had perfect health, but within 6 months I had become a physical wreck. Finally, I went to the doctor, who did some very quick tests and sent me immediately to a specialist. My tonsils were removed and I returned to work feeling better.

However, I was invited to return to hospital after a couple of weeks where I was informed I had stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a rare incurable blood cancer. If things didn’t go well I was given 6 months to live. I faced aggressive chemotherapy and a stem-cell transplant.

Having survived both of those processes, I am grateful to be alive,

But my health is now unreliable and have endured many periods as an inpatient due to my treatment, making regular work an impossibility.

My life has changed dramatically in terms of lack of income and unreliable health. I now have to think about everything I do, as my body becomes weaker. In my work I was used to solving business problems, and my cancer experience was showing me how poorly supported patients were, after their treatment.

I felt that I needed to try and improve this for others

I was invited to share my views at a charity conference. This led me to be invited to do more and more but my health was making that difficult. To increase my reach my friends started me a website, and I started to learn about social media.

I wasn’t sure at first as this was entering a totally unknown area, readership expanded quickly, and I started winning awards for my work.

Publicity increased and I was invited to speak at more conferences.

This gave me the work focus I craved whilst being able to deal with my own health. Through my health issues I was able to continue getting the word out there, and now my site has become an international resource read by patients and clinicians around the world.

My social media presence has also grown and I am now one of the biggest ‘influencers’ in the cancer sector in this country. This has led to me being a co-founder of ‘Your simPal’ registered charity, helping people affected by cancer, with the cost of keeping of keeping in touch by mobile devices. We support people and organisations across the country.

The demand for my speaking services is increasing rapidly

It is helping to improve cancer support services across the world. People affected by cancer now have a platform and voice to become heard throughout this very corporate world.

I am delighted to be able to give something back from my own experiences, and can help others face the things I have dealt with myself.

My own case has become a beacon for others, the fact that it may be possible to make something positive from a very negative situation.

What Can I Do For My Friend With Cancer? Five Steps To Help

This Is Me, I Will Not Hide: A Personal Account From A Cancer Survivor

Cancer Care Parcel: What We Do For People Affected By Cancer

Related Posts

Dear Dad - From The Scientist You Left Behind

Alisha Coll Reflects On Losing Her Dad To Cancer, Pursing A Degree In Stratified Medicine And What This Means For The Future Of Healthcare.

Read More
What Not To Do While Having Chemotherapy

If You’re Undergoing Chemotherapy, You Might Be Asking, ‘What Can You Not Do While On Chemo?’ Here, We Cut Straight To The Chase, Providing A List Of Activities And Substances To Steer Clear Of In Order To Support Your Treatment’s Success.

Read More
I’m Not My Cancer: Not Just A Breast Cancer Survivor!

When I sat down to write this post, I thought I should write about my breast cancer experience, but I didn't want to. I’m not my Cancer!

Read More
What Exercises Should You Do After Breast Cancer Surgery?

In This Article, We Focus On The Guidelines And The Type Of Exercise That You Can Do After Mastectomy Or Breast Reconstruction And Other Breast Surgeries.

Read More
1 2 3 35
We strongly advise you to talk with a health care professional about specific medical conditions and treatments. The information on our site is meant to be helpful and educational but is not a substitute for medical advice.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

One comment on “How Cancer Changed My Life: An Inspiring Perspective”

  1. e associated to NETS
    The below story is my eleven years in full. This should hopefully explain the highs and lows during my time with NETS and the value of PRRT TREATMENT.
    Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen, very pleased to be here so I can tell my story and hopefully help with my information?
    My name is Andy Norris.
    Please, if you can bear with me as I cannot explain eleven years quickly but will do my best to keep in time and keep you all interested.
    My story started when I was diagnosed with a Neuroendocrine Tumour to the pancreas.
    I was at my Doctors surgery and I noticed that they were providing well man checks for the over 40s Male at my local surgery.
    I decided to take these basic checks. They took my blood pressure twice and it was high.
    They then decided to take a blood test twice over two weeks.
    After a couple of weeks, the initial blood test that I had given came back with abnormalities.

    After further checks I was sent to the local hospital for a routine ultrasound check.
    Not long after having this check and surprisingly within minutes I was given a CT scan by the radiologist that resulted in a large mass being located on my left-hand side of my upper body that was the size between a cricket ball and a football.
    I had felt no pain although over the years in retrospect, I retrospect I had sporadic signs of diarrhoea but they could be easily attributed to spicy foods or drink.

    I was diagnosed the same day at my Doctors after a hurriedly arranged appointment that afternoon at my GPs who told me the devastating news had a Neuroendocrine tumour to my pancreas that must had been secreted there for years and years as described subsequently by the surgeons.
    It was a massive state of shock, cancer, NETS what is it?
    All I could think of was a police funeral and my Wife and family who were very young at the time.
    I managed somehow to contact Catherine Bouvier at NETS. She was brilliant. Very kind, empathetic and extremely knowledgeable. Since that time, she continues with her limited team to be a shoulder whenever I need it.

    The surgeons moved very quickly and remarkably it was supposedly all removed and I was given the all clear.
    I lost my spleen and part of my colon during surgery as well as the large tumour. The Surgeons struggled to maintain the safe margins but did a great job as it was getting nasty and very vascular.

    This remained the same for approximately four years when I returned to the Doctors for an unrelated matter.
    Due to my mental state at that time I was very concerned that it was always going to return.
    The Doctor was so concerned he recommended me for another ultrasound scan that picked up tumours had returned to my Liver and were in operable.

    I was subsequently allocated a Specialist Professor at the local Specialist Cancer Centre. He took care of me for the next four years providing routine treatments to control the tumours.
    I was given a course of chemotherapy but this seemed to pass over the areas possibly because of their inactivity at the time. I could live a normal life at home and in the Police.
    I continued to have routine hospital visits and still living with my cancer.

    Following this period, I was allocated another Specialist Professor who continued with various other diminishing treatments in attempts to control the tumours.
    During this time, I was also provided with a Nuclear scan as he had another treatment in mind.
    However, this did not show many receptors on the tumours and it was decided that I was not eligible for the proposed nuclear treatment.
    Following this time, I was provided with the treatment Everolimus.
    However, due to my low immune system at the time I was extremely unlucky and contracted the life-threatening brain bug Encephalitis four years ago and nearly died. This was a horrendous ordeal and illness because I became seriously ill. It got to a stage where my Wife contacted my family to tell them to visit me as it appeared that I did not have long to live.
    I had to retire early from my great job as a Detective Sergeant serving 26 years within the police Service. I was devastated as I loved the job.
    Even though I was very poorly it could have been much worse because it is a life-threatening illness.
    However, I came off lightly losing a few brain cells and getting epilepsy.
    Whilst in hospital I suffered from some terrible dreams and a large amount of horrible and often scary hallucinations about my past work in the police. These were very real extremely scary and active in my mind. These felt like total realism.

    The time was shocking for my family and still leaves a legacy today.
    My family were very worried and struggled to cope and became increasingly worried and aware that my treatments were becoming limited and that my limited NET treatment options were running out.
    My calcium started to increase at alarming levels as the tumours sought more calcium from my body.

    This continued for approximately two years whereby, I was in and out of hospital on a regular basis.
    Each time whilst in hospital I was provided with fluids and other medications that failed at lowering my calcium levels. The Doctors became increasingly worried because nothing would lower my calcium levels.

    It was starting to take its control over my whole body.

    I began to lose my speech and ability to hold a conversation.
    I also could hardly walk a few feet as my legs were becoming increasingly weak, I was near bed bound now.
    It also made me increasingly susceptible to loud noises and I became very withdrawn in Myself.
    This was very hard for my family who had to increasingly get used to my regular mood swings.
    I found it impossible for me to button my shirt or my trousers due to my deteriorating health.
    Now, I also suffered heavy falls in hospital and at home leaving me Badly bruised shaken scared and sore. Again, fearing for my life.
    The Specialist staff continued to give me treatments that did not work and allowed my calcium to become at dangerous levels threatening my bone marrow and other parts of the body.

    By this time my normal treatment options for reducing calcium were ending and showed no signs of any improvement and I continued my very poor health remaining weak and withdrawn.
    I also was diagnosed with epilepsy and had two large seizures over the last year at home whereby on one occasion I thought I was drowning through my bed and that was extremely frightening and lasted for about twenty minutes. You just feel you are craving for help to get you back. My Wife Melanie came to my aid along with an Ambulance crew. Again, ending up in hospital. This happened again where I was taken to hospital and returned home after checks.

    I am now left with a feeling of sickness and a strange feeling down my left arm. These occur sporadically but often turn into larger ones where I feel my jaw is coming apart from my face.
    Again, very scare and all I want is my wife to bring me out of them that last up to five minutes.
    I am on daily medication for the symptoms and can no longer drive that is very difficult for myself and family
    About eighteen months ago, I was being considered for palliative care at home such was my state of health.

    The route of all my problems was my calcium levels being so high and were affecting my basic bodily functions and was not far away from threatening my life or my major organs again.

    At this point My Professor recommended me to attend the Weston Park hospital in Sheffield to speak with Doctor W who was performing a relatively new treatment that involved nuclear medicine that was non-invasive and injected into my arms known as PRRT. (Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy).
    It was clear to my initial Professor that one of the tumours appeared to stand out and was requesting the extra calcium to enter the blood stream.
    An earlier nuclear scan was provided along with my medical records to Dr W.
    The scan showed up limited receptor activity in areas where I had been effected.

    Despite my very poor health I was amazingly accepted for the PRRT Y90 DOTATATE Therapy treatment by Dr W who is one of my many heroes.
    The procedure involves receiving an infusion of the hormone octreotide linked to radioactive Yttrium-90. This is made in Southampton and shipped to Sheffield just in time for each treatment.

    In September 2015, and had my first treatment staying overnight at the hospital before leaving the next day. I was very lucky as the NHS had stopped or seriously limited the funding of PRRT a few weeks later. This is something that we should continue to pressurise the powers in charge to have it re-instated.

    Nothing really happened for the next week apart from me being tired but I suffered no real side effects.

    Within a week and without any warning I started to feel subtle changes and the benefits of the treatment.

    It was life changing because suddenly I could join in conversations and my coordination became back walking my Golden Retriever dog. (I will summarise what I can now perform shortly)
    The change was unbelievable and people started to comment on how well and coordinated I had become.
    My memory is becoming sharper as I can recognize names and faces again. I also more tolerant with family and friends. It’s incredible how this has become true after only one treatment.
    My family and Myself have recognized a massive change in my overall health and the fact that they are able to perform less tasks on my behalf. The health benefits have been terrific and unbelievable.
    I feel like person reborn and given another chance in life. Before I always used to think for long periods how long I have got and when am I going to die?
    I recently conducted a 10-week NHS rehabilitation course in my local gym that was fantastic and I have now joined the gym properly because of the staff and the work. This gives me a great boost of self-confidence and a good feeling.
    I can run now walk and run five miles, row ten thousand metres over two days and I performed recently raising two hundred pounds for a CRUK. I can also ride seven miles on the gym cycle and to and from my home in all weathers. I must add this is not after each other but I can easily exercise for one and a half hours and conduct other weight exercises. I am also now able to write reports again
    This is an amazing transformation for me and I believe it is down to my amazing Wife and family who have stayed with me side by side throughout all the time Also, the PRRT treatment and somehow my self-strength. I will to keep going to enjoy and fight for my life.
    I am now better but it still has its legacies in my life and that of my family that could be a separate presentation.
    I still get periods of anxiety and depression but I believe under the circumstances this is natural.
    Although, it is very debilitating and disturbing when it occurs. I am trying to remedy this all the time but it is incredibly difficult to get people including, professionals to understand NETS and the ordeal that many are facing today.
    I now am very passionate and committed in giving something back for all the help I have received over the years.
    I communicate on face book and other sites to talk to my friends and family to tell my story to give help to others with the message NEVER GIVE UP! I also provide important material on the advances in cancer treatments and good news. Although there are still very sad cases but this occurs in all walks of life not just cancer.
    I am sure that this treatment will provide others with the unbelievable health benefits that I have achieved.”
    I really enjoy representing the charity. I also do some more work when I get time for the NET Foundation that deals with my type of Cancer whenever they need me.

    I worked for as an CRUK Patient Involvement Team dealing and other roles I have done is worked as an CRUK Ambassador liaising with my Local MP David Davis BREXIT Minister. He responded very well in respect of my campaigning along with his Parliamentary Secretary.

    THE MAIN THING IS I AM SURVIVING FOR MANY REASONS- GREAT FAMILY, NHS, CRUK for
    research and trials and from the porters to the Specialists. Also, not forgetting the NET Patient Foundation CEO Catherine Bouvier and her team.

    There are more special people but the list is too long.

    JUST NEVER GIVE UP! YOU NEVER KNOW LUCK MIGHT FALL ON YOUR SIDE.

    Thank you.
    Andy.

Sign up for more information
I HAVE CANCER 
3 Days Of Tips For People With Cancer
MY FRIEND HAS CANCER
3 Days Of Tips To Help You Help Your Friend

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Newsletter For
Anyone Touched By Cancer
Sustainability Matters
Every purchase, big or small, has a footprint. But sustainability challenges don’t have a quick fix.
Organisation for Responsible Businesses.
Recycle
EcoFriendly
Cancer Care Parcel Ltd. Registered in England and Wales.
Trading Address: Highstone House, 165 High Street, Barnet, Herts. EN5 5SU, UK. Registered Office: 7a High Street, Barnet, Herts, EN5 5UE.
Company Number 14415197, VAT number is GB428826076,  EORI number is XI428826076000
SITEMAP
cartmagnifiercrosschevron-downquestion-circle