A local man tells MKFM on World Cancer Day about the live-saving research that helped him beat cancer.
Joshua Thompson, from Newton Leys, was diagnosed with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma, a rare Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, in August 2017.
He said: "On 30th August 2017, I heard the words that no-one wants to hear. 'I’m sorry Mr Thompson, but you have Cancer'. I was diagnosed with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma, a rare Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, which grows aggressively.
"The cancer was graded as stage II, however a week later, upon further investigation, I was informed that the cancer had spread to my muscles and bone marrow, meaning it was now graded as stage IV. The doctors all agreed that starting treatment immediately was the best course of action."
The then 26-year-old was then selected by Cancer Research UK to take part in a new form of chemotherapy.
Joshua continued: "The doctors then informed me that I would be one of the first people in Europe to receive the chemotherapy cycle in the way that they wanted to trial it. Agreeing immediately, the cycle started, and a treatment plan was devised.
"I was to receive a very intensive and powerful batch of several chemotherapy drugs every two weeks for 6 cycles, matched with another intrathecal spinal chemotherapy on the first 4 cycles. It was discussed that due to the nature of the cancer that I had, that treatment after this would be a test, determining how the cancer had reacted to the chemotherapy.
"I was told that there would be two possible outcomes from this test. The first outcome would be that there was still cancer in my body, and chemotherapy would need to be continued. The other outcome was if the test showed no cancer in the body, a stem-cell transplant would be required to assist me in the future.
"During the treatment phase, I had my ups and downs, including getting Neutropenic Sepsis a week after my initial treatment, causing an extended stay in hospital, losing 23lbs of weight in 3 days, not being able to get out of bed and genuinely feeling that I wasn’t going to be leaving that hospital alive.
"Thankfully, with the help from the amazing Doctors and Nurses, my family and my best friend, I started to gain strength again and was discharged just in time to receive my second cycle of chemotherapy. As the weeks went by, I would countdown the days between cycles, knowing that around day nine of each cycle I would be at my absolute worst, slowly getting better again, ready for another hit of chemo a few days later."
Today marks World Cancer Day, a day that unites people, communities and entire countries to raise awareness of cancer and take action.
This years theme is ‘I Am and I Will’, which encourages fundraising despite the current pandemic.
For Joshua, it was this new trial of chemotherapy that led to the moment he could never have dreamt of.
He commented: "I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life. Sitting with my family, with the Doctor in front of me saying these words that have been engrained into my brain. “Mr Thompson, there is not a trace of cancer in your body, and there is no need for any further treatment."
He is part of Relay For Life, a 24-hour fundraising event held in aid of Cancer Research UK. He has also recently become the Event Chair for Luton.
Joshua concluded: "Relay for Life is a global event raising much needed funds for Cancer charities around the world. In the UK alone in 2019, Relay for Life events across the country raised upwards of £2.7 million, all of which goes towards funding life-saving treatments for Cancer Research UK.
"Relay for Life are amazing community based events celebrating a year of fundraising with a challenging ‘festival’ where the signed up teams take part in a 24-hour relay walk, supported by a big family fun day with live entertainment.
"Fundraising for Cancer Research UK has never been so important, with a huge loss of donations due to the Coronavirus pandemic. I am first hand evidence that the research from Cancer Research UK is truly life-saving."
