…on the mobile [unit], the staff know me and my background, plus they are all so kind.
George Thurrold is undeniably one of life’s survivors. In 1993, at the age of 39, George was enjoying life working in London as a computer consultant when something happened that would change his life irreversibly. “It was the Friday before Christmas,” he recalls, “and I was out shopping for Christmas dinner. I bent down to pick a turkey up out of a freezer, when I experienced a terrible pain and couldn’t straighten up again.”
George continued: “The local hospital didn’t understand what they were seeing, because this shouldn’t happen to someone so young.” George was quickly referred to Guy’s Hospital on Boxing Day where they discovered he had multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow). “It turned out that my rib cage had broken completely as the myeloma had made all my ribs brittle.”
The referral to Guy’s turned out to be extremely fortuitous, as his new doctor was Stephen Schey, a pioneering consultant undertaking bone marrow transplants, a ground-breaking procedure at that time, and one which successfully put George into remission for the next 25 years.
The following years were far from plain sailing however, as the treatments used in those early days – which included full body radiation – left George with type 1 diabetes and a host of other side effects, including difficulty in maintaining his balance. As a result, his wife Frances had to retire from her work as an accountant to become George’s part-time carer.
Nevertheless, undaunted by their day-to-day tribulations, the couple moved from London five years ago to Herne Bay in Kent. “We were determined to enjoy our retirement by the coast,” explained George, now 69, “but then one of my regular blood tests revealed that the cancer had come back. It was a huge disappointment.”
Fortunately for George he discovered that, in the interim period, cancer treatment had come on apace and he was soon able to receive a less invasive, largely tablet-driven regime on the Hope for Tomorrow mobile unit – just a short distance from his home. And, although the side effects are harsh, incredibly, within six months George could once again celebrate being in remission.
George expressed his immense gratitude at having the ‘mobile’ available close by for his twice weekly visits saying: “Without the mobile we’d be trekking over to Canterbury Hospital or even up to Guy’s. I am very wobbly – one of the many side effects – so Frances has to drive me.
George attends our mobile cancer care unit ‘Caron’
Not to have to endure a day which starts with an hour-long drive, followed by a struggle to find parking and then a wait in hospital, is a real blessing for us both.
Here we can park right near the mobile at Queen Victoria Hospital, which is tremendously helpful.”
Being able to access this spotlessly clean and friendly environment throughout the Covid pandemic felt like a lifesaver for George. “All the NHS staff at the hospital are great,” he says, “but they’re busy and you rarely see the same people twice. Whereas on the mobile, the staff know me and my background, plus they are all so kind. The nurse Pat came out in the pouring rain with me recently to ensure I didn’t slip on the stairlift and Dennis the driver comes to collect me from my car. I’m only on board for my blood tests or to get my tablets. There’s not even time for a tea! We discuss my previous blood tests, which is very reassuring too. Ten minutes and we’re done – and Frances and I can get on with our day.”
Some of the wonderful mobile cancer care unit team at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust.
George is still in regular contact with Guy’s Hospital and as a former patient and now a volunteer, his day can involve talking to patients who are frightened at facing treatment for the first time. Often though, he’s to be found doing research for his favourite hobby; films and TV shows from the 1950s and early 60s – a pastime for which, George admits, Frances has insisted – maybe judiciously – he has own separate room!
George ended on an optimistic note: “I’m due to see the consultant in mid-November who will hopefully say that I will be on this treatment successfully for life – so I will be using the mobile unit for many years to come. Given the initial prognosis, and the lack of treatments available at that time, I’m more than a survivor – I am really very lucky to be here!”
…on the mobile [unit], the staff know me and my background, plus they are all so kind.
George attends our mobile cancer care unit ‘Caron’
George Thurrold is undeniably one of life’s survivors. In 1993, at the age of 39, George was enjoying life working in London as a computer consultant when something happened that would change his life irreversibly. “It was the Friday before Christmas,” he recalls, “and I was out shopping for Christmas dinner. I bent down to pick a turkey up out of a freezer, when I experienced a terrible pain and couldn’t straighten up again.”
George continued: “The local hospital didn’t understand what they were seeing, because this shouldn’t happen to someone so young.” George was quickly referred to Guy’s Hospital on Boxing Day where they discovered he had multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow). “It turned out that my rib cage had broken completely as the myeloma had made all my ribs brittle.”
The referral to Guy’s turned out to be extremely fortuitous, as his new doctor was Stephen Schey, a pioneering consultant undertaking bone marrow transplants, a ground-breaking procedure at that time, and one which successfully put George into remission for the next 25 years.
The following years were far from plain sailing however, as the treatments used in those early days – which included full body radiation – left George with type 1 diabetes and a host of other side effects, including difficulty in maintaining his balance. As a result, his wife Frances had to retire from her work as an accountant to become George’s part-time carer.
Nevertheless, undaunted by their day-to-day tribulations, the couple moved from London five years ago to Herne Bay in Kent. “We were determined to enjoy our retirement by the coast,” explained George, now 69, “but then one of my regular blood tests revealed that the cancer had come back. It was a huge disappointment.”
Fortunately for George he discovered that, in the interim period, cancer treatment had come on apace and he was soon able to receive a less invasive, largely tablet-driven regime on the Hope for Tomorrow mobile unit – just a short distance from his home. And, although the side effects are harsh, incredibly, within six months George could once again celebrate being in remission.
George expressed his immense gratitude at having the ‘mobile’ available close by for his twice weekly visits saying: “Without the mobile we’d be trekking over to Canterbury Hospital or even up to Guy’s. I am very wobbly – one of the many side effects – so Frances has to drive me.
Not to have to endure a day which starts with an hour-long drive, followed by a struggle to find parking and then a wait in hospital, is a real blessing for us both.
Here we can park right near the mobile at Queen Victoria Hospital, which is tremendously helpful.”
Being able to access this spotlessly clean and friendly environment throughout the Covid pandemic felt like a lifesaver for George. “All the NHS staff at the hospital are great,” he says, “but they’re busy and you rarely see the same people twice. Whereas on the mobile, the staff know me and my background, plus they are all so kind. The nurse Pat came out in the pouring rain with me recently to ensure I didn’t slip on the stairlift and Dennis the driver comes to collect me from my car. I’m only on board for my blood tests or to get my tablets. There’s not even time for a tea! We discuss my previous blood tests, which is very reassuring too. Ten minutes and we’re done – and Frances and I can get on with our day.”
Some of the wonderful mobile cancer care unit team at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust.
George is still in regular contact with Guy’s Hospital and as a former patient and now a volunteer, his day can involve talking to patients who are frightened at facing treatment for the first time. Often though, he’s to be found doing research for his favourite hobby; films and TV shows from the 1950s and early 60s – a pastime for which, George admits, Frances has insisted – maybe judiciously – he has own separate room!
George ended on an optimistic note: “I’m due to see the consultant in mid-November who will hopefully say that I will be on this treatment successfully for life – so I will be using the mobile unit for many years to come. Given the initial prognosis, and the lack of treatments available at that time, I’m more than a survivor – I am really very lucky to be here!”
