King: ‘It’s always a bit of a shock, isn’t it, when they tell you that it’s cancer’
THE King spoke of his “shock” at receiving his cancer diagnosis as he met fellow patients on his return to public engagements.
Looking relaxed and smiling, the 75-year-old monarch said he was feeling “much better” while chatting and holding hands with people being treated at University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre in London.
He was asked repeatedly how he was, replying: “I’m well”.
Staff and patients alike said they were taken aback by how candid the King was and it was evident that he could relate to what they were going through.
Charles was joined by Queen Camilla, 76, on the visit and went on impromptu walkabouts, meeting workers who paused to catch a glimpse of the royal couple.
He also revealed that after his engagement, he would be having cancer treatment himself.
Speaking with Lesley Woodbridge, 63, as she underwent chemotherapy for sarcoma at the day unit, the King said: “It’s always a bit of a shock, isn’t it, when they tell you?”
Charles and
Camilla had a long chat with Lesley, from Houghton Regis, Beds, who was joined by husband Roger, 64. He spoke to Camilla while Charles learned about his wife.
Roger said: “We were talking about how we feel. I said to her, ‘How do you feel?’ She just said, ‘It’s just so difficult’ and we both agreed.”
The King held Lesley’s hand before he left and also held the hand of Asha Millan.
The pair appeared to share a joke, with Charles laughing heartily. Asha, 60, who is receiving chemotherapy for bone marrow cancer, said afterwards: “I said, ‘How are you?’ and he said, ‘I’m well’.”
The King has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since February and it was announced last Friday that he would be returning to public-facing duties. It marks a positive development after nearly three months as an outpatient.
Positive
When quizzed about his health, Charles told one patient: “I’m all right thank you very much, not too bad.”
The King, who was also named as the new patron of Cancer Research UK yesterday, is determined to spread awareness of the disease.
He was keen for his first engagement since doctors gave him the goahead to resume a more normal schedule to be an impactful one.
A royal aide said it was important for Charles “to show it is possible to work with cancer, although he appreciates that everyone has their own journey and it is not for everyone”.
The monarch looked delighted to be back meeting the public and walked over to speak to patients gathered in the foyer as soon as he entered the hospital.
Several times during his visit, the King said: “We need to get more people tested early.” He and Camilla were introduced to experts working on a new melanoma vaccine and a lung cancer study. They were also shown the CT scanner which has helped to save 250 lives in the last two years thanks to early detection.
Charles said of the study: “There’s so much positive news.”
He admitted he was worried that the royal visit had stopped people coming in, but was reassured that no patients’ treatment had been affected.
While Camilla, having spotted a man wearing a hospital gown trying to squeeze through, asked people to make way for him.
The patient, who gave his name as Richard, told the couple: “I commend you for being here to support us.”
The King and Queen spent time at the chemotherapy day unit nurses’ station. The treatment area itself is a large room set out with pink cushioned armchairs.
The royal couple asked technical questions about the methods and length of treatment offered, hearing how some patients stay at a nearby hotel while they complete it.
Charles and Camilla were then introduced to patients, many of whom were receiving chemotherapy through IV drips.
The King asked one man whether he was using a cold cap – a device aimed at preventing hair loss during treatment – and Charles was heard to say it can “help”.
Charles and Camilla asked everyone they spoke to about side effects, particularly loss of appetite and taste and tiredness.
The King remarked several times about advances meaning treatment can be adapted to the patient.
The Queen made her way to side cubicles, where she sat next to patients for a few warm exchanges.
Calm
She said to Judy Parkinson, 69: “There’s a real feeling of calm here. Everybody in the same boat, everyone can identify.”
Speaking after the visit, one staff member said: “The King was very open with the patients about how he was feeling. There were a lot of conversations about symptoms and it was
clear they understood – they got it.We were not expecting it at all.
“We thought it would be very generic, questions about other people’s treatment.”
As they left, the royal couple received posies from two children attending the hospital for treatment. Unusually, they returned the favour by handing over two bags of presents.
The first, for Della Thomas, six, contained a large stuffed toy Jack Russell, based on the Queen’s dog Beth, and some Beefeater stationery. The second for 11-year-old
Ellis Edwards included three books – Swallows and Amazons, My Family and Other Animals and The Man Who Planted Trees. Both children were also given an enormous chocolate coin with a picture of Buckingham Palace on it. Ellis said: “I was telling her (the Queen) about my treatment and my trip to Leicester Square, going to Hamleys and the cinema. It was exciting meeting them.” Royals fan John Loughrey, 69, from London, received a wave from the King and gave the Queen a bunch of tulips and roses, telling her “you have been a foundation for the King”. John, whose wife Marian Crean died from skin cancer at the age of 49 in 2003, said Charles’s announcement of his diagnosis had made him “feel like he is not alone”.
Buckingham Palace said the monarch’s medical team are “very encouraged by the progress made so far and remain positive about the King’s continued recovery”.
The University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre opened in April 2012, with the Macmillan charity donating £10million towards it.
The King has been the charity’s patron since 1997.
KING Charles’ return to public life is a reminder of the monarch’s devotion to public service. His visit with the Queen to a cancer centre gave patients a royal morale boost, assuring them they are not alone in their struggles.
Displaying candour and empathy, His Majesty described the “shock” of diagnosis and told a patient receiving chemotherapy that he would have his own treatment that afternoon.The nation wishes this caring King nothing but the best on his journey back to health.