In April 2021, my husband, Jack was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, something that he was always aware may happen, but something that he never believed would happen! Why would you?! After everything Jack has been through in his short life, you would think he was due a break! If only!!

Jack went to the Dr's with a lesion on his face. After numerous appointments, photography and after a minor surgery with biopsy, it was confirmed Jack had cancer. I think we both knew it was cancer as we were told originally it was 'suspected cancer', but hearing that dreaded word is nothing you prepare your self for! I could see the fear in Jack's face and I just crumbled! 33 - far to young to have cancer, or so I thought! It's ok though, skin cancer is easily treated (isn't it?) and a lot of people we knew had stories, reassuring us that after one surgery it would all be ok, as it had been for them. 

Jack went on to have more surgery as they hadn't quite got all the cancer. This was his second op. Jack was in a lot of pain as we waited for the results of the next biopsy. The biopsy confirmed that there was still cancer in his face and that they would need to try another type of surgery. Whilst Jack waited for the consultation for this next surgery, he started to loose some movement of his mouth and had excruciating pain in his face and behind his ear (where the original cancer was found). After an MRI, which showed nothing Jack was referred to a plastic surgeon specialist as it was thought that the surgery planned was not the correct surgery for him. Jack had a 5 hour operation on 22nd September to remove the cancer. The surgeon ended up having to remove the main nerve in Jack's face as the cancer was entwined in it. This means Jack is now paralysed on one side of his face. The surgeon was pleased with how the surgery went and how Jack was recovering. 

We went up a couple of weeks ago with the hope and positivity that this was it and Jack was now cancer free. Unfortunately this wasn't the case and the cancer is still in Jack's nerve. He now needs more surgery which is more intrusive as the surgeon needs to remove the rest of the nerve which is under Jack's skull! 

As I write this, Jack is awaiting his surgery (27th October) and hopefully will have the positive results he deserves after this. 

Jack is an absolute warrior and is fighting this the best he can, as I always knew he would, but having Macmillan nurses involved and getting support from Macmillan Cancer Support has really helped us both. 

Thanks for supporting my reading this and supporting my fundraising.

At Macmillan, we give people with cancer everything we’ve got. If you’re diagnosed, your worries are our worries. We’re doing whatever it takes. But without your help we can’t support everyone who needs us.