A cancer diagnosis can affect every part of your life. But there are charities out there which can help. Here, we look at how Macmillan professionals support patients during and after cancer treatment
When Paul Price found a lump in his neck and his testicle, he decided not to see a doctor at first.
Struggling after losing his mother, the 57-year-old decided not to seek help even though Julie, his partner of 18 years, was getting increasingly worried about him.
He had even started to lose the feeling in his left arm.
After collapsing frequently, in November 2013 he decided to see a doctor and go for tests, which confirmed he had cancer in his testicle and his neck.
He was so acutely ill, he was sent straight to the cancer centre within Swansea’s Singleton Hospital where he started an intensive course of chemotherapy.
“I didn’t seek help for a long time as I had decided my time had come as I couldn’t cope with mum dying,” said Paul, who lives in Sketty.
“But I decided to get help for Julie. When I started treatment I had 26 chemotherapy sessions as I had left it so late.”
Paul encountered severe sickness as a side-effect to his chemotherapy and he developed heart problems due to the combination of medicines he was taking.
He was then taken into the hospital’s high dependency unit on Christmas Eve 2013 after falling ill.
He said: “I was so ill I couldn’t eat or keep anything down. My heart stopped twice so I was rushed to the heart ward and came around in January. I had been at death’s door.”
Paul was supported through his cancer treatment by Macmillan uro-oncology clinical nurse specialist Janette Gwillim. Janette supported Paul to ensure he had the information, advice and support he needed throughout his cancer treatment.
He said: “Without Janette, I’d be dead. Her and my wife Julie were the two people who pulled me through.
“Janette goes the extra mile. She has been brilliant.”
Paul finished his chemotherapy in February 2014, but ended up back in the high-dependency unit after developing double pneumonia on St David’s Day. He spent a month in hospital recovering and was given four pints of blood as part of his recovery as well as antibiotics, steroids and iron.
Doctors were so worried about his health that he was told he would be put on a life support machine if his condition didn’t improve.
Luckily, his health improved and he was discharged from hospital in the April, and in June he had surgery to remove his right testicle and the lump in his neck.
Once recovered from the surgery, Paul then started 20 days of radiotherapy.
By the end of his cancer treatment, he had lost 3st and no longer had the strength to walk or get out of the bath without help. His taste buds and saliva glands were also affected. Paul and Julie also found that their finances were affected as he could no longer work as a self-employed accountant and Julie took unpaid leave from her job at a residential home to care for Paul during his treatment.
He said: “I had no income and Julie took unpaid leave to look after me and went five months without pay.
“We used all of our life savings up.”
Now, Paul has gained back some of the weight he lost and is rebuilding his strength and use of his arm, which had been affected by his cancer.
He has been supported in this by Janette and Cathryn Wilson, Macmillan rehabilitation oncology physiotherapist and Macmillan occupational therapist Wendy Wilkinson.
He was supported by Cathryn and Wendy to rebuild his strength through 40 hydrotherapy sessions and other physiotherapy exercises.
Now, he is able to move his left arm again although he cannot move his fingers.
Following his treatment, Paul and Julie were married in Swansea’s City Hall.
He remembers: “It was a marvellous day although I was getting really tired near the end. Julie’s mother put on a cracking spread for the reception and it was great.”
Financially, Paul has now applied to claim Personal Independence Payment as his cancer has meant he has not been able to work. He now feels well enough to take his two dogs for a walk from time to time, but he continues to see Janette for a check up every four months.
Paul said: “I’ve gained weight thanks to Julie’s lovely cooking but I still get tired.
Cathryn and Wendy have helped me with hydrotherapy and physiotherapy too.
“People don’t believe what I’ve managed to get through but I want to let people with cancer know that there is life after cancer.”
And he feels it is important to thank everyone involved in his care.
He said: “You hear so many moans and groans about the NHS but I found them to be brilliant.
“The doctors and nurses were absolutely marvellous including sister Jane on the high dependency ward.”
Janette
Gwillim,
Macmillan uro-oncology clinical nurse specialist, said: “When I first met Mr Price it was clear that he was a very ill gentleman and would require treatment with chemotherapy quite soon if we hoped for a cure.
“During chemotherapy he was evidently struggling with the intensity and length of each treatment, but during this difficult time it was his spirit and strength of personality that shone through and of course the constant support from Julie.
“It has been not only a privilege but a pleasure to be part of his care pathway. I always enjoy meeting up with him during clinic appointments and when passing him on my way to and from work walking his dogs in all weathers!
“Considering how ill he was he is a testament to the fact that if you can seek help when you know that there is something not quite right the outcome can be as positive as his.”
Macmillan occupational therapist Wendy Wilkinson said: “Working with someone like Paul is an absolute pleasure.
“He was always motivated, enthusiastic and prepared to go the extra mile to make the most of his rehabilitation opportunities, even when the outcome of treatment was difficult to predict.
“He brought a very social attitude with him to hydrotherapy, which lifted the spirits of other group members and kept us laughing.
“He has been very creative in making the most of his recovery and despite not regaining full use of his hand, he hasn’t been stopped. He has been actively involved in moving house and redecorating since his participation in rehab.”