Me, Myself and Cancer

10/08/2026

If you want to know what living with cancer is really like, well, it's all afternoon teas and bingo really 😁

Not really, of course, but cancer tricks you into feeling like you shouldn’t experience happiness. And that simply isn't true.

One charity that knows this is Team Solan who have been helping children, adults and families across the North East affected by cancer for over ten years now. They know that, when one of their 'warriors' is having a bad time, and honestly, living with cancer and cancer treatment can be depressing, that even something as simple as afternoon tea and bingo can be enough to help them find some joy rather than sadness, anger or confusion. Even if it's just for a small moment.

Living with cancer, for me, is one of the scariest feelings, especially when I know that my cancer cannot be cured. I live with that thought everyday. And yet, most days, I also live with a lot of happiness. In fact, I’ve had a lot of happy memories while facing the hardest time of my life.

Even now, and I'm currently in a 'stable' period where I don't need treatment and my cancer is under control, I face even more challenges; mental and physical challenges. I’ve had many dark days, but I always see a light at the end of the tunnel.

So, when I get to experience little moments like today, it just eases the pressure to know that there is support there when it's needed most. I said yesterday that no one should have to face cancer alone, and charities like Team Solan are helping make that a reality.

If you think they could support you, or you can support them in any way, head over to https://teamsolan.org.uk/ to learn more about them now 🌟

09/08/2026

Great day out today at Hardwick Hall Hotel where we met W***y Wonka and the Oompa Loompas in a world of pure imagination.

Huge thank you to Angel Trust for gifting us these (golden) tickets and getting us through the factory gates. It's nice to see that the chocolate river is still flowing.and I ate my brownie faster than a Wonka Whipple Scrumptious Fudgemallow!

When a charity does something nice for me, it can bring a great sense of joy, hope and relief. It can also break up the hard routine of what living with cancer is really like. It's a break from the illness, and it gives people like me and my family the mental strength to keep fighting.

Even a small act can make a person feel valued and less alone during a dark time. For me, it's a chance to make happy memories as a family; to share smiles and make each other happy. Because happy moments lower worry and calm the body resulting in less stress. I could do with a few more happy moments right now.

If you are facing cancer alone, now might be the time to reach out to a local charity or support group because they can provide kindness as well as practical and emotional support during difficult times. Plus, in my experience, being part of a community helps to create a sense of belonging that might otherwise be lost.

Let me know what kind of support or gifts you've received 🌟

Jim xx

31/07/2026

In April 2023, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The good news was that 98% of men survive their diagnosis. The bad news was… the diagnosis was wrong. I was told that I could have as little as two months to live. I was 42 years old. I was a husband and a father. Now, after more than two years of living with cancer, I’m not just surviving, I’m thriving, and I want to help others like me meet the challenges of cancer head on and live well every day. This is my journey into cancer.

Latest blog post available to read now 👇

In this post I reveal details of an upcoming book, write about the challenge of living with cancer and discuss the real complexities of dietary supplements, informed decisions and misinformation.

25/07/2026

Today is... today marks three years since I was told that I was expected to die of cancer. Not only that, but I was only expected to live a few months, maybe even weeks.

My cancer (oesophageal) had already spread to distant parts of my body when it was detected. I was told that it was highly aggressive, difficult to treat and 7 out of 10 people die within 12 months of their diagnosis.

I don't take the fact that I am still here for granted. Every extra day with my family is a blessing because less than 10 people (out of every 100) will survive advanced oesophageal cancer for three years.

These photos with my daughter were taken later that day and show just how much she means to me. I was bald, sick and exhausted from the intense chemo I'd already had (to treat the testicular cancer I never had), and my prognosis had changed from cure to palliative care overnight.

I put my survival down to so many factors: conventional treatment, complimentary therapies, a positive attitude, loving connections, a strong will to live, diet and lifestyle changes, purpose and meaning, staying active, remaining hopeful...

If there is a magic cure, I haven't found it yet and, believe me, I've looked. I'll never stop trying though, for the people who love me,and especially for my daughter. Cancer won't beat me, even if it does lead to my death.

Living with cancer, and especially terminal cancer, is hard though. I'm not here to pretend that it isn't. I still get sad, angry, scared... It has changed how I think and how I look. I'm not the same man I was three years ago. How could I be. In many ways though, it's made me a better person. A better husband. A better father.

Cancer doesn't define us. Behind every diagnosis is a unique and deeply personal story of love, grief, resilience and hope. I'm still writing mine. I hope you are too ❤️

Jim xx

22/07/2026

Someone asked me what living with terminal cancer was like. What do you say? For a start, it isn't any one thing. It's complex. At any one time there are several things happening all at once. Some good. Some bad. So for me, it all becomes about focus. Where do you choose to focus your attention.

If you only look at negative things then living with cancer is going to seem very bleak indeed. Look past that though and there's a whole world of wonder just waiting to be found. Like this Himalayn Garden and Sculpture park. I mean, I've never been here before.

Yes, there are daily challenges, and summer can bring even more. A lot of the time I'm physically exhausted. My emotions can vary wildly, and there are unpredictable changes that I never saw coming lurking around corners I didn't even know were there.

If you focus on comfort, love and connection though, I usually find that I come out on top (and if not you might need to change your expectations). It is possible to find peace, especially in gardens as beautiful as this... even with my daughter constantly saying she was bored ha and a bird pooped on me but that's good luck right 😁

Other than pooping birds, one thing a lot of cancer patients should be wary of in summer is bugs. The creepy-crawly type and the type you can get from large crowds. Cancer treatment compromises your immune system, putting you at higher risk of infection. Because of this I'm more careful I'm crowded places and I check for things like bites. From insects, you shouldn't have to check for human bites 😆 Even a minor infection can turn deadly when your immune system can't fight it.

A good tip for summer is to get an Access Card if you haven't already got one. This is recognised at thousands of events, attractions, venues and other locations across the UK and beyond. Mine shows that I need an essential companion, because I do, so my wife can normally get in free as my carer. Many places do free carer tickets, but you often have to take proof so it's always worth checking, even if it isn't shown as a ticket option.
https://www.accesscard.online/

I said yesterday that you don't need a long or distant trip to get a refreshing change of pace. A short weekend or local break can help and I find it more manageable to keep travel short. If you do go abroad though, I recommend using Insurancewith. In my opinion they are far cheaper, and much better. Plus, they were setup by a woman who had breast cancer because she was horrified at the insurance premiums cancer patients were being charged. It covers all sorts of chronic illness now though.
https://www.insurancewith.com

You lucky lucky people 😉

Jim xx

21/07/2026

I may have terminal cancer, but my life is full of happiness, laughter and smiles. I have a joyful heart and strong bonds with the people I love most in the world. Not only that, but I get to spend time making wonderful memories that will last a lifetime because remember, small moments become lifelong treasures.

I said yesterday though that coping with cancer during the summer holidays requires balancing rest, flexibility and self-care while often avoiding peak heat, staying hydrated and protecting sensitive skin.

Cancer-related fatigue is real and doesn't simply disappear because I want it to. It might be the summer holidays but I still need to listen to my body, prioritise my need for rest and not push myself to attend every event or activity. I have to pace myself. If you sprint in a marathon you won't finish.

It’s okay if the summer looks different this year. We've decided we wont be going abroad or even traveling far and we're choosing to focus on days trips instead. We'll also be going out for meals or ordering food in when we don't feel up to cooking. It doesn't have to be expensive. There are loads of deals around.

It can also be important to manage nausea and appetite if the heat or smell of food makes you feel sick. I often opt for small, frequent and cool snacks, especially over summer. Honestly, it's a lot to navigate.

People don't always realise the energy that goes into managing physical and emotional wellbeing during the summer months, but it can still be enjoyable. Days like today make it all worthwhile.

Jim xx

20/07/2026

So the summer holidays are upon us once again 🙈 They're super fun, and it's great to spend more time together as a family. They're also difficult to plan, expensive and exhausting due to the constant stress of keeping children entertained. Throw cancer into the mix and these things become a real balancing act.

I never want to miss out, which means prioritising self-care and rest and learning to be flexible. Some days I'm going to have more energy than others, and it's really important that I communicate how I'm feeling with my family.

It's a real struggle for me to manage my body temperature this summer. That's because of the steroids I take for the treatment-related adrenal insufficiency I now have for life. However long that might be because this is the third summer I wasn't expected to have.

Steroids can make you sweat more and I'm finding I'm a lot less tolerant to... any kind of heat (not to mention the hot flashes and night sweats, am I right ladies). I need to seek shade regularly, especially during 'peak' hours (11-3) if I don't want to turn into a puddle 🥵

Cancer treatments, especially chemo and radiotherapy, can also make your skin highly sensitive to the sun and cause dehydration, even after the treatment has stopped. That's why I made friends with a SPF 50 sunscreen (aim for at least 30) and a water bottle. We go everywhere together, even on cloudy days 🌞

Come back tomorrow for more insightful tips on coping with cancer during the summer. You lucky lucky people 😊

Jim xx

06/07/2026

In April 2023, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The good news was that 98% of men survive their diagnosis. The bad news was .. the diagnosis was wrong, and I was told that I could have as little as three months to live.

I was 42 years old; a husband and a father to a beautiful five-year old girl. Dying was not just unquestionable. It was unthinkable.

Now, after nearly three years living with advanced oesophageal cancer, I’m not just surviving, I’m thriving, and I want to help others like me meet the challenges of cancer head on and live well every day.

In my latest post I explore living with a terminal illness and reflect on time perception, treatment struggles, and unexpected tumor shrinkage. There’s even a little nod to my favourite film, Jaws.

So join thousands of other readers in over fifty countries around the world and journey into cancer with me. Jim x

Here I discuss my journey living with cancer and reflect on time perception, treatment struggles, and unexpected tumor shrinkage. There’s even a little nod to my favourite film, Jaws.

02/07/2026

After an agonising three week wait, I got my latest cancer scan results today... and it's mostly good news 😀

Amazingly, the scan showed that the tumours on my peritoneum have shrunk by fifty percent! And that's without any active cancer treatment.

My oncologist didn't have an explanation for this, but I have been taking additional supplements and medication since my last scan (no, not ivermectin or fenbendazole, which aren't for me), and I've been really strict with my diet. Whatever I'm doing seems to be helping, which is good because I spend a small fortune on these things.

I did ask about surgery, even though I'm a lot less worried now than I was before, but it's not something that would be offered to me given it won't really improve my situation. I'm still expected to die... yes doctor, but when? You said three months three years ago and here I am. I'll show him ha

I did say mostly good news. Well, there could be a problem with my kidneys. I mean, there's already a problem with my kidneys because I have stage 3 kidney disease (thanks to the chemo I've had in the past), but my creatine level is up - or at least it's higher than what a healthy person's would be, but mine has been higher, so it's inconclusive. I had another blood test while I was there today which will tell us which way it's going.

The only other concern is the headaches I've been getting. Likely, these are related to an existing injury because I have a small hemorrhage on the frontal lobe part of my brain, but they've been really severe lately for some reason. Best to rule out any chance that the cancer has spread to my brain what what. My oncologist will arrange a head scan so I shouldn't have to wait long.

Other than that I'm in good shape 😁

Thank you for your continued support as always. If you've messaged me and I haven't replied yet, I will. Just never seems to be enough time to do everything. And then you have to factor in the amount I'm sleeping, which is a lot these days. Cancer fatigue is real!

Jim xx

21/06/2026

Happy Father's Day to all the great dads out there who have been affected by cancer in some way (and those who haven't).

I love my daughter to bits and there isn't a day goes by when I don't think about how grateful I am to have been given this extra time with her. When I was told I might only have three months to live, she was the first thing I thought of and its been that way for the past three years because there's also not a day goes by when I don't think about how absolutely heartbroken I feel about the thought of having to leave her.

I've been able to accept what's happening to me, but I'll never accept what is going to happen to her. She doesn't deserve that. That's why I try to make every day special and we've created so many wonderful memories together. Hopefully that will help when I'm gone. She was only 4 when I was diagnosed and she's 8 now.

We have such a special relationship and being a dad really is the best job in the world. It makes me so happy that I've even had this opportunity to experience what an absolute joy it is. She's the reason I do everything I can to keep myself alive. And the reason I won't ever stop.

Thank you to everyone who has messaged me lately, I will get around to replying. Things have just been really hectic lately and I've struggled to do everything. Still, it's not a bad problem to have. I want you all to know that I appreciate you though.

It shouldn't be too much longer until my children's book is out. All of the illustrations are complete and it's being edited right now. My book on my cancer journey is also just about there and can be passed over to the editor soon. It's very exciting because I've never done anything like this before.

I lost another half of tooth last night though 😫 Good job I have a dentist appointment on Wednesday! I'll be gummy at this rate haha

Jim xx