夜色直播

I heard about Maggie鈥檚 through a colleague 鈥� I work for Howden, who nominated Maggie鈥檚 as their charity partner. So my colleague passed on the details when my dad and best friend both died from lung cancer eight months apart from each other.

I completed an online form, and someone called me back. At the time, I just had a conversation with a staff member there.

Then fast forward to 2024, I was with my wife at the Breast Centre having biopsies, and said to her:

If this is cancer, we鈥檙e going to need all the support from Maggie鈥檚.

I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in June 2024. My treatment began with six rounds of chemotherapy, three cycles of what is often called the 鈥淩ed Devil鈥�, followed by three cycles of Docetaxel.

I then had surgery on my right breast, but based on how the cancer had responded to treatment, the decision was made to proceed with a unilateral mastectomy.

Four weeks later, I had a second operation in my right armpit, because there were concerns the cancer might have spread to the lymph nodes. Thankfully, the results came back clear.

Between February and March 2025, I completed 15 rounds of radiotherapy. It was intensive, but all part of the 鈥渂elts and braces鈥� approach from my oncology team.

I also had 18 rounds of targeted treatment of the Phesgo drug; an injection in my thigh every three weeks. I finished that treatment in March this year.

Support for me and my wife

We eventually came to Maggie鈥檚. On the first visit, we must have looked like rabbits in the headlights. It鈥檚 a whole world that you never imagine being part of.

Expert 1-2-1 support and peer support groups

We met Emma, I鈥檝e had lots of 1-2-1 cancer support sessions with her, and I鈥檝e certainly chewed the ear off the centre head, Nikki many times! I鈥檝e also spoken with Claire the benefits advisor about financial support and advice.

I joined the Primary Breast Cancer Support Group 鈥� it鈥檚 such an invaluable group of women, all different ages, various breast cancers and treatments, with great support.

I also did the 'Where Now?' course, which was brilliant and led by the Cancer Support Specialists. I鈥檓 still in touch with the group; we even have a WhatsApp chat.

Maggie鈥檚 has given us access to so many resources, and I will be forever grateful.

Right now, I鈥檓 having 1-2-1 online psychological support with Maggie鈥檚, Yorkshire to help me work through some of the bigger emotional and mental health challenges I鈥檓 facing.

It鈥檚 never just about the person with cancer

My wife had never been to Maggie鈥檚, and she was struggling emotionally. I drove her to the centre and said, 鈥淵ou need to go in and talk to someone.鈥� She realised it was the right place for us to be in during my cancer journey.

She has since done the 'Managing Stress' and 'Friends and Families' courses. They have helped her be able to be herself and talk openly about how she is feeling.

It鈥檚 never just about the person with cancer; it impacts the entire family. For us both, Maggie鈥檚 is priceless and very much what we needed and continue to need.

Holistic care and support on our door

It was important to get the level of care in my own town. Once you鈥檙e in that oncology setting, you meet people from all over Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and even as far as South Wales. I realise what an incredible setting we have with the Cheltenham oncology department. I鈥檒l never take it for granted.

I鈥檝e been very lucky, and luck isn鈥檛 a word that鈥檚 often associated with cancer. But at Cheltenham Hospital, everyone goes above and beyond, from the nursing staff to oncologists and the administration teams. The chemotherapy helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week; it鈥檚 fantastic care and support.

As for Maggie鈥檚, you simply won鈥檛 find a better place.

As a cancer patient, we often say, 'you can leave your cancer at the door', which here is actually true.

There are so many wonderful charities out there and we all know the vital work they do, but none of them offer what Maggie鈥檚 does; a space you can just walk into, whenever you need. It鈥檚 priceless what Maggie鈥檚 offers. It really is. You can go in and talk about anything, or nothing at all. 

To me, Maggie鈥檚 is incredibly important. It helps you get through all the side effects, the treatment and the entire cancer journey, no matter what stage your cancer is at. It鈥檚 a very important space to have in Cheltenham.

The importance of checking yourself for lumps

We鈥檙e all very guilty, both women and men, for not checking ourselves. We know our bodies and have that intuition, but it鈥檚 so easy to put off. It鈥檚 also easy for me to say, 鈥淒on鈥檛 be scared鈥�, because I鈥檓 on the other side of my cancer journey right now.

Cancer is a terrifying word, I know that all so well. So please check yourself and if something feels different, please go to your doctor. And if you feel you鈥檙e not being heard, push back and ask questions or ask for a second opinion. No one knows your body like you do.

What is 夜色直播 in three words for you?

夜色直播 is support, understanding and hope.

We鈥檙e here with you

Our cancer support specialists, psychologists and benefits advisors are here for everyone with cancer, and all the people who love them. 

• Come and see us at your nearest Maggie鈥檚
• Call us on 0300 123 180 or arrange a callback
• Cmail us at [email protected]