Well It's been quite a while since I last blogged.
From the above you will see I'm promoting Blood Cancer Awareness something that is very close to my heart. #WorldLymphomaDay
On the 31st December 2013 my eldest son Shayne (aged 21 then) was diagnosed with a form of blood cancer called Hodgkins Lymphoma, have you heard of it?? if not you will by the end of this blog.
Previous to this diagnoses Shayne in October 2011 had undergone successful heart ablation surgery for a rare heart defect called Wolff Parkinsons White Syndrome.
Shayne had collapsed several times over the past two years with an A&E admittance by ambulance to Lewisham general hospital from work. However they failed to do a basic ECG ( even though WPS isn't always picked up) I feel had he of been given an ECG it possibly could have highlighted something instead was put down as simple "Fainting"
Several months passed then he collapsed again this time in the street!, It was thanks to a 14 year old boy (A passer by) an ambulance was called and Shayne was quickly diagnosed at The London Chest Hospital where they put him under the care of Barts Hospital London. They called in the best team of heart surgeons who we are eternally gratefull to for curing his condition.
I feel it is important to raise awareness for this condition too
Although cured of this condition Shayne continued to collapse during the course of the year, blood tests showed an elevated white blood count yet he wasn't referred to a blood specialist at that point, however with our persistence was referred back to his Heart consultant who put him forward for a "Tilt test" the outcome was that he felt it was simple faints/ anxiety as his 24 hr heart trace showed normal.
Shayne had a few good months but then started to feel ill again, he had night sweats which he put down to flu being the Winter Months, he had an aching shoulder. It got to the point where he felt really ill and his shoulder had a lump which was very painful. We thought possibly dislocated so after NOT being able to get a GP appointment (common) He went to our local A&E in Newham on a Friday evening after work. Now given his past history you would think they would be understanding if nothing more and a thorough examination right?
You would think given the symptoms:
* Shoulder Lump (Lymp Node/Gland)
* Night Sweats
* Aching
* Itching
* Tiredness
* Elevated White Blood Count
Alarm bells may have flagged? Wrong!, the Dr in the A&E department that particular Friday basically told Shayne that he was to go to his GP on the Monday, and I "qoute" "Wasn't like he was going to die in the next week or so!!"
fortunately we got a second opinion at The London Royal Hospital, they took bloods and did chest xrays, they seemed very concerned rightly so!
The Outcome...
Shayne was sent home with a letter for his GP, and was told to see him urgently on the Monday. They told him the chest xray showed there was something wrong with his blood but didn't explain what exactly as they didn't want to scare him!!!! (word of advise to Dr's/Nurses- Patients will google the report and scare themselves to death!!!!)
On the Monday a GP locum (as he couldn't see his own GP) referred him to a specialist Hematologist at Newham (our local Hospital) within an urgent 2 week wait for an appointment.
After a bone marrow test, CT / PET scans and bloods, Shayne was diagnosed with Lymphoma blood cancer on the 31st December 2014 (New Years Eve!!) the Consultant was confident it was Hodgkins Lymphoma but only a biopsy of the lump could be sure.
At the time when everybody is getting ready to bring in the new year, our family faced uncertainty and although we always approached this disease with a positive attitude we still had a very anxious wait to find out which type of blood cancer #Hodgkins or #Non Hodgkins Lymphoma.
With two consultants on standby at Barts Hospital depending on which type Shayne had a treatment plan would be drawn up for him to start asap.
Once diagnosed with #Hodgkins #Lymphoma stage III (classic type) ,he was put under the care of the Consultant (oncologist) at Barts to start #ABVD chemotherapy. Shayne started this in February at Barts Hospital ( 6 cycles ) every second Friday, he would be in for up to 6 hrs as an outpatient.
its not easy to watch a loved one (especially your child) in so much pain and so sick, however you find the strength within you, you never knew you had. How can you be weak when you need to help them fight the biggest battle of their life?
This is a very harsh treatment, something Shayne approached with a positive fighting attitude, and a PET scan after his second cycle showed very positive results which gave him boost to carry on.
It's difficult being 21, you are given the option to be treated in a Teenager unit or adult, so Shayne chose the adult. However I feel this is an age group overlooked as at 21 you are no longer a teenager but just moving into the next stage of your life. Something more is needed for the ages 20-30 group.
Even at his weakest moments with the support of his Family, Fiancee and those friends he chose to tell he had cancer ( because he didn't want a big fuss) got through the 6 months, he got through it.
Through the good days during his treatment, Shayne managed to produce a 20 track CD of House Music which he is finalising for release. Some of which have been heard exclusively on #HouseMusicFM
We met up at an event with my Lovely Friend and recording artist Angie Brown who is famous for the Bizarre inc's chart topper "I'm Gonna get you" (1992) uncanny that was the year Shayne was born!! and here he is producing house tracks in 2014!!! Shayne was also fortunate to link up with my Friend Coree Richards aka as the lead singer of the 90's boy band Damage.
Coree gave Shayne some of his vocals to sample and with support and encouragement a massive boost during his battle with cancer.
The Support didn't stop there!, The Boxer George Grove personally signed a photo with a message urging Shayne to keep fighting, the little things like this to fans matters most.
After the 6 cycles of ABVD were complete Shayne had a scan 1 month on which showed he was Cancer Free and was given the all clear on the 14th August 2014. He will continue under the care of the Barts Team as an outpatient every 3 months (for a year) then they will closely monitor up to 5 yrs.
We would like to take the opportunity to personally thank:
- The Cancer Consultant Team at St Bart's Hospital and Newham, the Nurses and Radiologists "Who from start to finish have been exceptional in their diagnoses, their treatment and their
- care before, during and after the diagnosis"
- Macmillan for their Advice and Support
- Friends and Family who have been there from start to finish and continue to support us all.
- Shayne's brother's who at such young ages, adapted to a very difficult situation and showed maturity and support.
- Shayne's fiancee who was his support throughout and continues to be so
As Shayne's parents we do not need praise, we are just grateful he is well and we are very proud of him. How we got through this i do not know, but when faced with your child having cancer, no matter what age, you have to stay positive and look for the light at the end of what appears to be a very dark tunnel.
We are blessed that Shayne has just celebrated his 22nd birthday
@ShayneWiskin (On Twitter)
#lymphoma #hodgkins #bloodcancer #cancer
#anthonynolan #macmillan #cancerresearch
