The Queen’s Centre is located at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham. The centre is a state of the art facility that is primarily for cancer patients from across the region. It is also home to services such as Immunology and Allergy, Rehabilitation, Haemophilia and Lymphoedema.

Hi, I'm Tom.

Following lockdown restrictions being fully lifted and celebrating seeing the back of 2020 and 2021 what I had envisaged for 2022 ended up being very different to the reality. Finding out within a week of each other in February 2022 that two people in my family (my dad, Roly and my partner, Jen) were diagnosed with Cancer and have since then being undergoing treatment. This is our story and the reason the Gala was born to raise funds for The Queen's Centre, Castle Hill.

Jen's story...

Early 2022, Jen discovered an unusual hard lump on her left breast, so decided to speak to the GP, having to wait two weeks for a GP appointment she was told that it didn't feel suspicious and women her age (35 at the time) were highly unlikely to have breast cancer, it was more likely a 'Breast Mouse' but they decided to refer her as a precautionary measure to the specialist Breast Care unit at Castle Hill Hospital.

After waiting another two weeks, Jen was put through various examinations, blood tests, biopsies, ultra sound scans and mammograms scans followed by more in depth MRI and PetCT image scans. Following all of these tests Jen was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, referred to the Queen‘s Centre for further consultations before starting her treatment of six cycles of Chemotherapy.

I can't explain the devastation you feel hearing those words "I'm sorry to tell you, that you have Cancer".

The consultants and nurse support (both breast care nursing staff and Macmillan) explained the next steps and how they would support throughout the process. Jen was told she required 'neoadjuvant therapy' which is a treatment plan to shrink the tumour with the use of chemotherapy prior to any next steps, specifically surgery. She was told that she was to have six rounds of chemotherapy once every three weeks. Throughout treatment, there have been relentless visits to the Queen‘s Centre for blood tests, scans, consultations alongside the treatment plan. These visits have taken their toll, both physically and emotionally on her, in addition to the side effects of the chemotherapy. Having good days, which you relish, and bad days which you get through the best you can. In addition to how scared you can become throughout, as you have no control over cancer or the treatment plan, Jen was told by a friend that it was like 'a plane ride, just buckle up for the journey and trust that the pilot is doing their job' which kept her going at low points. At one point Jen's immune system dropped so low due to the strength of the treatment that she unfortunately picked up an infection and was admitted to the Queen’s Centre for emergency treatment and monitoring.

Recently finishing her Chemotherapy, Jen has undertaken her scans, which have confirmed the Chemotherapy has worked to the degree which the consultants had hoped, one tumour has disappeared completely and the larger of the two has reduced in size to 1.1cm x 0.7cm (from 3.1cm x 2.2cm).

After further consultations Jen underwent surgery late September to have a lumpectomy, removing the remaining primary mass, and secondary mass in the lymph nodes. The removed mass was then sent for testing to see if any cancer cells remained within the removed mass. A week before the first Gala event in 2022 we received the most amazing news, the cancer was gone, the tests revealed that the mass removed was cancer free.

After months and months of medical treatment, physical, emotional and mental traumas to deal with, it was only now that a weight had being lifted. The journey was far from over, but we could now see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Moving forward there was precautionary treatment to receive, radiotherapy and various preventative treatment. Scans and consultations took place between November 2022 and mid January 2023. As of February 2023 Jen started her radiotherapy treatment, 20 fractions.

February 2023, during a consultation Jen was told, 'you are officially a cancer survivor and in remission'. I know how this made Jen feel to hear this, and I know how this made me feel to hear this also. The journey is physically demanding, tough, emotionally challenging and at times takes it's toll mentally. So to hear these words, it really is music to the ears.

I'm extremally proud of Jen, I know how hard this has been for her and I really wish she had not had to go through this, if I could ever have taken it away, I of course would have. But the reality is, you can't. The life of someone so close to you goes into a third parties hands, for support when you aren't there at the hospital, you have to rely on the medicine and hope it works, you wish every night that the treatment takes away this tortuous disease and that one day you get to hear those words, 'you are cancer free'. We have heard those words, and I'll be forever in debt to the outstanding staff at the Queen's Centre.

For me, alongside the incredible strength of Jen and her determination, the unbelievable life saving medicine and drugs, the hard working nurses, consultants and surgeons, collectively have saved the life of a partner, a mother, a daughter, a friend and the most incredible person I know.

I know from having two experience's of people close to me with cancer that this scenario is not always the case. But in this story of Jen's cancer journey I can say this, good riddance cancer, it has not being a pleasure and you will not be missed. FU Cancer.

Roly's Story so far

Rewind back to Christmas 2021, I noticed an unusual lump on my Dad's neck, so I asked him about this mysterious lump and advised my Dad he should visit his GP. After arranging an appointment, the GP said the lump was suspicious and required further investigation, in the meantime the GP prescribed antibiotics for possible suspected ear infection and inflammation of the lymph gland in the neck.

The GP said blood tests showed abnormalities in the white blood cells and was referred to Goole Hospital for a chest X-ray which came back clear. At this point weeks had passed since his initial GP appointment and February was fast approaching, at which point he was referred to Castle Hill Hospital Ear, Nose and Neck Dept (ENT).

Like Jen, my Dad was put through various blood tests, biopsies, ultrasound scans and more in depth MRI and PetCT image scans. Once again in limbo of the unknown (we've been here before). He then received a letter to go in to see the Specialist within ENT Dept. I decided I needed to go along and support my Dad (mainly to be his ears and take in what he may not), exactly one week after finding out Jen had Breast Cancer! I was sure this couldn't happen twice however, I was wrong and the consultant and specialist team informed us that my Dad also had Cancer, however this time it was a little more complicated.

But for the second time in seven days I had heard those dreaded words again "I'm sorry to tell you, that you have Cancer".

Although I had my suspicions Cancer could be a possible outcome, I'd always told myself it wouldn't be. Here's where things become more complicated, my first question to the consultant, 'what type of cancer is it and is it treatable?', (knowing how Jen had been dealt with and spoken to). To which the consultant advised that the biopsy of the lymph node tumour had shown this is a 'secondary' tumour (a break away cancer from the original source forming another tumour) and that in fact he had another tumour at the other side of his neck too. One tumour measuring over 7cm which had grown at an alarming rate during the waiting period between initial GP visit, through waiting times for scans and appointments etc.

We went on to learn during this visit that the MRI scans and PetCT imaging scans did not show any 'primary' (the original source of cancer cells) cancer within the body and was advised that it was likely the primary cancer was in the tonsils due to the location of where the cancer had spread to in the neck.

My dad was quickly booked in to have his tonsils removed and tested for cancer cells, which would hopefully locate the primary tumour. Waiting around for the results again in limbo was a difficult time for us all. Jen was struggling to cope with Roly's diagnosis at this point alongside her own, as it happened that the same week we was waiting for the results from my Dad, Jen started her first cycle of Chemotherapy.

Back to Jen for a moment. Thankfully, I was able to attend her first cycle of chemotherapy as support for Jen, which made her feel less alone and scared. Jen, for the first two cycles decided to try the 'cold cap' this is a method of treatment therapy which is designed to cool the scalp and therefore reduce the blood flow to the scalp, to prevent/reduce hair loss. Jen really struggled emotionally with coming to terms with potential hair loss and therefore endured the cold cap treatment. This was hard to watch, as essentially this is a cap that is freezing the scalp and giving someone the worst brain freeze imaginable and I could see the physical pain she was in throughout. I can't even imagine what it was actually like for Jen having to endure this. Unfortunately, this was unsuccessful in Jen's case and she decided not to proceed any further with the cold cap which made the treatment easier in a way.

Back to Roly's story. The same week of treatment I was back in with my Dad to find out the results on the primary cancer location. Unfortunately, we were informed that after surgery and further testing they could not find my Dad's primary cancer. He now had a name for his cancer, the type is, Cancer of the Unknown Primary or CUP. A very rare type, where the primary cancer cannot be located, but has spread to other parts of the body. We also learnt the cancer was aggressive, hence the rapid increase in size in the tumour. Roly was now referred to the Queen's Centre for an urgent consultation and treatment plan.

Initially the treatment plan was for 6 weeks of Chemo-radiotherapy, everyday (Mon-Fri). At a follow up after this had been put in place (but prior to treatment beginning) my Dad's consultant measured the tumour which was now measuring over 9cm and the opposite side was other 3cm . Immediately the plan was changed and was now moving to 3 cycles over a 5 day period of constant infusion of a cocktail of Chemotherapy drugs.

Dad was admitted to The Queen's Centre, I visited him as much as I could whilst he was in hospital on these admissions, but as you can imagine with a full time job, children and Jen's treatment too it was taking its toll on me too now. He had this treatment twice, then he had a follow up appointment with the consultant, it appeared that this form of treatment was no longer reducing the size of the tumours and the plan needed to be re-adjusted once again. Although initially it had reduced them, by around 80% on the smaller one and the larger of the two by 30%.

This leads us on to present day, the consultant started to proceed with 'Plan A' and stated the Chemo-radiotherapy treatment, which has taken it's toll again, both emotionally and physically. There is still a long way to go, and still a bit of the unknown. But for now, Jen has completed her Chemotherapy treatment, and my Dad who is a third of the way through his Chemo-radiotherapy.

Without the Queen’s Centre amazing staff, who without them, their relentless care for Jen and my Dad, amongst the hundreds of other patients they have day in day out, the personal support from all of them, this would be a unbearable journey. Both Jen and my dad witnessed the nurses, doctors, pharmacists volunteers tirelessly working to support each and every patient daily.

Jen decided that she wanted to give something back to the Queen's Centre as a thank you for what they are doing for both her and my Dad and try get some positivity out of what has been a difficult year so far. We want to bring friends, family and those from the local community together to help support the Queen's Centre with much needed (as always) financial support, and what better way to do this, than an evening at a Gala Dinner, with music, dancing and fundraising.

I can't speak for everyone, but I'm sure that most people you speak to, have being affected by cancer, either themselves, a family member, a loved one or a friend. Unfortunately it affects so many people and not just physically, but emotionally and mentally, the person with the disease and the friends and family around them. The scary statistic is now that 1 in 2 people will be affected by cancer, which I have to say is more true than ever in our case. And unfortunately it will be for others too.

Without sounding like I work for a 'large supermarket' every little helps! But it really does, if you can attend our Gala in support of the Queen's Centre that would be fantastic, if you can't and can donate a little (or a lot) that is greatly appreciated too. Alternatively want to do both, that's even better!

We hope our story not only inspires you to join us and/or dig deep but to get checked if you have any worries or concerns, and if you are unfortunately diagnosed with the Big C then an early diagnosis gives you the best chances of kicking it's arse!

Thank you

Tom Kinroy