Nick considers himself to be a regular dad and husband who loves and cares for his family and he values their time together very much celebrating their achievements and successes. The whole family are passionate about playing their part in making the world a better place to live in. Music, football, the environment, and politics are a keen focus. Both Nick and his wife, Alison, enjoy their work – Alison works in Children’s Library Services for the local authority, and at the time of Nick’s diagnosis he was managing the Humanities Campus Library at the University.
Due to having a young family in comparison to his age, Nick was keen to maintain good fitness levels; he cycled 10 miles a day to and from work, played 5-a-side football once a week and had a daily workout regime. But in November 2017, he started experiencing mild (what he thought was) heartburn – particularly when eating. After taking Gaviscon and feeling no relief, Nick sought support from his GP who prescribed Proton Pump Inhibiter (PPI) drug Omeprazole, and this was able to relieve the heartburn and discomfort Nick was having. However, being someone who doesn’t like to take medication unless they have to, Nick finished his course of medication and hoped that things would return to normal. This was unfortunately not the case and the heartburn and discomfort returned; after phoning the GP asking for a further prescription, he was told he would be prescribed half a month’s worth, and that Nick should make an appointment to see him.
In mid-January 2018, after going back to the GP, Nick was sent for an endoscopy. It had never occurred to Nick that the pain and discomfort he was experiencing could be cancer as he felt okay in himself, and he just put his heartburn symptoms down to his age. Whilst waiting for his results Nick continued cycling and playing football. After the results from the endoscopy and biopsy were returned, Nick was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.
After receiving his diagnosis, Nick went through what he described as a whirlwind of CT/PET and ultrasound scans to find out if the cancer had spread and to determine the size of the tumour. Nick was devastated and in disbelief with his diagnosis since he didn’t feel all that unwell. His immediate thoughts were that he wouldn’t get the opportunity to watch his children grow up. This was followed by many tears during some evenings. It felt surreal and he was so worried that if the cancer had spread, he would only have 6-12 months to live.
Once the scans indicated that it had not spread, and he would be on a curative pathway, it helped Nick to feel stronger and helped him to feel outwardly positive for the benefit of his wife and children. Nick’s treatment plan started with five weeks of combined radiotherapy (daily) and chemotherapy (weekly) from the end of February 2018 carrying through to March 2018. There were more scans followed by an oesophagectomy at the end of May 2018. At this point his treatment had ended and he was on the road to recovery. Since his treatment and surgery Nick has also had a few strictures which resulted in some dilation treatment to stretch the narrowed part of the oesophagus.
Nick’s road to recovery was not only physical but mental, and he has had to adjust to an entirely new way of eating which meant he had to completely change his diet and how he eats. Nick’s routine now consists of 6 smaller snack/meals per day, and he needs to rest for 20–30-minutes after eating to ensure food does not get forced through his digestive system too quickly. He also has to sleep with a wedge pillow to prevent stomach acids coming up into his mouth (which happens occasionally and is incredibly painful). Nick still occasionally experiences significant bouts of heartburn when he consumes the wrong type of food or if he slips off his night-time bed wedge.
I didn’t realise or think about how eating is such an important part of our culture. Yes, we all need to eat to survive, but the social dynamic is hard as eating out is much trickier and not something I look forward to, it’s something I do my best to manage. It’s difficult to eat at table at home as I need to be in a more relaxed position and distracted so that I don’t eat too fast – It’s no longer the enjoyable experience it used to be. In the workplace – ensuring I can eat and rest throughout my working day essential. I fortunately have a very understanding and accommodating employer.
Nick would also like to highlight the mental side of recovering from cancer:
Once you’ve recovered physically – your mind is invaded by thoughts of recurrence. Every twinge or ache can make you anxious. I am now over 5 years on from diagnosis, and manage this much better, but I don’t think that concern ever truly leaves you.”
Association with HCUK: Nick is an active member of our online Facebook support group. He readily shares his advice and experiences which is invaluable to the other members and we are very grateful for his input.
