Blackpool Gazette (KC) 05-May-08
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Grandad's plea: Ignoring telltale signs can be lethal
By Emma Harris A FYLDE coast grandfather is urging others to be aware and not be shy to see their doctor after he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Brian Jones says he wishes he had known what to look out for before he discovered in October 2007 his right kidney had the disease.
Despite having surgery to remove the organ, the 74-year-old from Newton, was told two lymph nodes infected with theADVERTISEMENTillness could not be taken out as they were in too dangerous a position.
For the same reason, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were ruled out and Mr Jones’ only hope was a so-called wonder-drug –but its use is something of a postcode lottery.
Unlike people who live in other parts of the country, Mr Jones was successful in his bid to be given Sutent – at a cost of £3,000 a month.
He said: “When I was told I could have the drug, it was like winning the Lottery. It can’t cure the cancer but will hopefully control it.
“There were a few anxious weeks waiting for the answer, but it was like a big weight being lifted.
“I do feel sad though that people living in other areas might not get Sutent.”
Mr Jones, who used to work for the Guardian Royal Exchange in Lytham, had initially put off going to his doctor when he found blood in is urine, because he did not realise how serious a symptom it was.
When he did go to see his GP, investigations were carried out in case it was a problem with his prostate and this came back all-clear.
But days later he was called back to Royal Preston Hospital for a CT scan – which revealed he had cancer.
Mr Jones said: “I had no real fear of what was to come, because we had been thinking it was a prostate problem or something.
“It was a day we will never forget, the worst day of our lives.
“I have fears. Going to bed at night praying to be alive the following morning, worrying about any little thing that happens in my body, praying that my remaining kidney will not let me down.
“The fear of dying, what will happen to my wife, how will she cope and my thoughts turn to my son and daughter-in-law, our grandchildren.
“One thing is for sure, we are being so positive. When my mother-in-law heard the news, among her first words were ‘this’ would bring my wife Barbara and I closer together and this is absolutely true.
“I couldn’t imagine how that could be possible, but every day we look at each other and say those words, ‘I love you’.
Battle
“It gives us such a lift, we are in this battle together. Of course, we both have shown our sadnesses, that is only natural.
“But I am not going to let this condition beat me.”
The grandfather of two, who used to organise fundraising weekends at Lytham Hall for various charities during his time at Guardian Royal Exchange, is now helping to raise funds for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation.
He added: “It has been an emotional rollercoaster ride for us, we have had our highs and sadly, our lows, but the one thing cancer has given me is to love life that little bit more, to appreciate and love what matters the most.
“I hope spreading the message about the symptoms can help at least one person.”
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