‘Battling cancer was gruelling but today I am happy and you can be too’

Jonathan knew there was something wrong when he started to experience a litany of worrying symptoms: “I had been experiencing headaches and nose bleeds as well as fluid in my ears. I had been back and forward to the GP several times. I was repeatedly getting diagnosed with ear infections. They prescribed antibiotics which naturally did not work. Then I was referred to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist at a private clinic in Hillsborough. He examined my nose and throat with a microscope and sent me to Craigavon for a scan and a biopsy. Then within a week I was with an oncologist at the Royal Victoria Hospital.”

Nasopharyngeal cancer (or nasopharyngeal carcinoma) is a type of head and neck cancer that develops in the nasopharynx. This is the part of the throat at the back of the nose (or nasal cavity). ‘Naso’ means nose and the ‘pharynx’ is the throat.

In the UK, about 250 people are diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer each year.

About three times as many men as women are affected by nasopharyngeal cancer, and the average age at diagnosis is about 50.

Jonathan, from Armagh, underwent months of intense treatment for this rare form of the disease at the Cancer Centre in Belfast, but thanks to the incredible care and support from his oncologist and the team looking after him, he is now cancer free and enjoying life once more. But the dad of four wants to do his bit to help other young people facing the shock and trauma of a cancer diagnosis; he has now joined forces with local charity Friends of the Cancer Centre, which is marking its 35th anniversary this year, to share his story so other young people and their families, as well as those with rare cancers, can take encouragement from his experience and see that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Yes, chemotherapy may be gruelling and difficult, but with a positive mindset and the support of those around you, it is possible to emerge victorious with a renewed appreciation of the preciousness of life.

Jonathan said: “When I was diagnosed it was all very surreal because as a young person you never imagine you will end up receiving treatment for cancer. I barely knew what cancer even was. I was in shock. And scared, worried. It was very strange. I want to share my story in order to help other young people in similar situations, to let them know that they can get the strength to go through the correct treatment and recover. I think the way you approach a diagnosis and treatment is key because unless you are positive you can reach a very dark place and this will not help you with your recovery.

“When I went up to meet my oncologist he made it clear that the treatment would be gruelling but that this would cure the cancer 100 per cent and that it would not return.

“Once I heard that my mindset just changed and my anxiety melted away. From that day on I was not worried because the oncologist had really assured me. He made me see that even though treatment would be difficult I would be able to get through it and lead a normal life.

“My girlfriend Maria, who is now my wife, my mum and my aunt were the people who got me through all this.

“It was painful, and I could not eat, and they wanted me to be admitted to hospital but instead I was able to stay with my aunt in Belfast in order to complete the treatment.

“The tumour I had was inoperable so I had to undergo combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy,”

The chemo was intense with Jonathan undergoing treatment for five days a week, through four cycles.

“I was okay on chemo, I had nausea and weakness but I didn’t lose my hair or anything like that. I hated being in hospital for chemo but I got through it.

“The radiotherapy was much worse. It was very painful. It basically burnt the skin at the back of my throat and mouth where the cancer was. It was horrendous. I had 35 sessions of it, which is the maximum number you can get. That was all over a seven week period.

“When I reached the end of the treatment it was an incredible moment for my family and I.”

For months afterwards Jonathan had to be fed through a tube in his stomach and was unable to swallow.

“The radiotherapy leaves you with some permanent side affects,” he adds.

“I still have a lot of trouble swallowing. My throat is tiny so I can’t consume anything without a drink and I have to chew my food a lot in order to be able to ingest it.”

He eventually went back to his university studies, having made a full recovery. Jonathan married his long-term girlfriend Maria in August 2013 - she had stayed right my his side the whole way through his cancer treatment and today they are devoted parents to Aria (6), Jonny (4), Robbie (3) and baby Lucia.

“It might sound strange but I wouldn’t change anything,” says Jonathan, looking back at his cancer battle. “My life has been so positive since my illness and what I went through was part of the journey to where I am now.

“It’s all a part of who I am today. I feel like my illness was a challenge and I managed to overcome it with the love and support of those closest to me.

“I want to give people hope because you don’t hear about young people going through cancer treatment so much.

“I want to help other young people facing a cancer diagnosis. Cancer showed me that approaching things like treatment with a positive mental attitude goes a long way. You need to put your faith in the doctors, remain optimistic and follow the treatment as it is laid out for you. Fundamentally you must listen to your doctors and do exactly as they advise you. You need to put your head down and get on with the treatment and do not allow yourself to be set off course by negative ways of thinking.

“I am proof that a happy life is possible after cancer. These days I consider myself as healthy as the next man or woman.”

In support of Friends of the Cancer Centre, Jonathan is calling on people to Be A Friend, raising money for the charity in its 35th anniversary year. The cancer charity, like many others across the province and the rest of the UK, is facing a dearth of funding due to the pandemic.

Colleen Shaw, chief executive of Friends of the Cancer Centre, said: “I would like to thank Jonathan for sharing his story. He has come through so much at such a young age, and we cannot underestimate how difficult it was for him and his family. However, it’s really important that we hear more stories like his, as it gives so much hope to others.

“This year marks the charity’s 35th anniversary and one of our goals in this milestone year is to share positive stories like Jonathan’s. A cancer diagnosis and treatment is an incredibly worrying time, but the excellent treatment and care that is available means that more and more people are surviving cancer. As a charity we are really proud to support this vital work and hope that people can continue to support us, ensuring that we can be here for more people like Jonathan.”

Based at the heart of the Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital, the charity funds life-saving and life-changing projects that make a real and lasting difference to the lives of thousands affected by cancer. In the last year the charity has invested £1.2m into local cancer services.

And big-hearted Jonathan says he is happy to talk to any young people about their cancer journey and can be contacted via Friends of the Cancer Centre.

“I want other young people with cancer to have hope and see that it can be overcome. It’s a challenge that can be beaten with the right mental attitude.” Visit www.friendsofthecancercentre.com