Julian Gilbert’s Story

“In the Summer of 2016, I felt like I was the fittest I had even been. I rode through The Alps, lost weight and felt physically on top of the world. However in December last year I noticed an uncomfortable “tickle” in my throat. I put it down to the busy social period leading up to Christmas, but the symptoms wouldn’t disappear and from time to time I was struggling to swallow.”

“I booked an appointment with the GP and was initially reviewed by the practice nurse who noticed that one of my tonsils was red and swollen, but painless. The nurse was baffled and asked the doctor to take a look. He prescribed antibiotics for two weeks and told me to return if my symptoms hadn’t cleared up.”

“On New Year’s Eve, I noticed blood in my saliva and was admitted to Luton and Dunstable Hospital. Following scans, biopsies and tests, my life completely changed. For what I thought would just be an infection, I was diagnosed with throat cancer. I hadn’t seen it coming at all.”

“It was heartbreaking telling my wife and young children about my illness and breaking the news to them was one of the hardest conversations I’ve ever had to have. I felt my whole life had been thrown into complete and utter turmoil. As a business owner my livelihood was in jeopardy too. It was a very stressful and emotional time.”

“My cancer treatment started in February 2017 at UCLH in London. My treatment consisted of six weeks of radiotherapy. I was nil by mouth; I couldn’t sleep at night.”

“I wasn’t able to eat or drink for seven weeks and I’m still not eating normally now six months later. I wouldn’t wish the treatment on my worst enemy. Head and neck cancer is tough – physically, mentally and emotionally.”  I was extremely fortunate that my cancer was diagnosed at an early stage. This meant that my prognosis was good and that, even though the treatment was more invasive than I’d expected, I was optimistic that my life would carry on.”

“On 30th June 2017, I was told I was cancer-free.”