Billy overjoyed at wonder drug

Mar 1 2008 by Audrey Barton, The Journal

BILLY Hamilton is living proof of how cancer can now be managed as a chronic condition.

The 54-year-old was devastated when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a common cancer of the lymphatic system, eight years ago.

The former articulated lorry driver found two lumps on his neck and was referred to Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital for tests and an operation to remove the growths which were pressing against his throat.

During the procedure, surgeons found the lumps were cancerous and Billy, of Sceptre Place, Elswick, Newcastle, was referred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary for treatment.

“I was really gutted. I thought ‘that’s it’. You get cancer, you’re dead. My consultant reassured me I had a life to live and I began treatment.”

The father-of-two had chemotherapy for eight months as lumps kept appearing in the lymph glands in his groin and under his arms. He underwent radiotherapy for a particularly large lump in his groin but six months after his treatment ended, the cancer returned in a lump under his arm.

“It was a real blow. I was told it was a recurring cancer but I didn’t expect it to come back so soon.”

Doctors operated to remove the lump and Billy has another gruelling bout of chemotherapy. He was lucky to avoid the usual side effects with anti-sickness tablets and he kept his hair.

“But you do feel under the weather – tired and sick.”

At this stage the anti-cancer drug rituximab was only funded on the NHS for patients with this type of cancer to have as a first-line treatment in chemotherapy.

However, ahead of Nice final guidance, the North East NHS took the decision to fund the drug for patients like Billy to manage their cancer and stop it returning. In the past nine months Billy has attended hospital every three months to have the drug administered intravenously and the cancer has not returned.

“It really is a wonder drug. It attacks the cancer but leaves the rest of the healthy gland. I have had no side-effects with it. I haven’t had a lump since so it is controlling the condition.

“It’s great it has been made available for other patients for this kind of treatment. It’s brilliant, I am so happy with it.”

He will keep taking the drug for two years during which time he returns to hospital for scans to check the cancer has not returned. He is hoping to return to work once he has recovered from a kneecap replacement.

“I live each day as it comes, I am glad to be alive.”