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- Jon's story | A journey of strength, hope, and early detection of Lung cancer
As an international hockey player, Jon never expected lung cancer to be part of his story. His diagnosis was unexpected - but his journey is one of strength, hope, and early detection.
Diagnosed with a genetic heart condition several years ago, Jon attends annual check-ups with a heart consultant. During his appointment in December 2023, his consultant noticed something unusual on his heart scan.
Jon explains: “Whilst he thought it might be scar tissue, he suggested I see a thoracic specialist to get it checked”.
A series of tests and scans confirmed Jon had a growth on his lung which had already doubled in size by the time he was seen by a surgeon a few weeks later.
Given the increasing size of the growth detected, Jon was admitted to Hospital in December 2023 for a left lobe lobectomy.
“I’ve been a sports nut all my life – I enjoy playing hockey, running and playing golf, so discovering I had lung cancer came as a complete shock. I’d never been a smoker, and I hadn’t been experiencing any symptoms. I count myself very fortunate it was detected so early.”
Following his surgery, Jon began a 3-month course of adjuvant chemotherapy at GenesisCare in Maidstone.
“My chemotherapy began in late January 2024. I had one session of intravenous chemotherapy every three weeks, with each appointment lasting around 2.5 hours. I’d also have a tablet I’d take on the 8th day after each chemo session.
I had very minor side effects from the chemotherapy, nothing that was a major inconvenience. I felt a bit nauseous for the first couple of days and my sense of taste changed a little but that was short lived.
At my first chemo session, Julie the head of Exercise Medicine popped up to the chemo suite to see me and told me about the complementary 12-week Exercise Medicine programme GenesisCare provide. Exercise has always been a big part of my life, and I wanted to build myself back up to where I’d been before my surgery.”
Jon started his exercise medicine programme whilst undergoing chemotherapy.
“I was still healing from my surgery so couldn’t over stretch but the exercise programme was well-structured and designed around my healing process and the stage I was at with my treatment. I had one training session a week at the GenesisCare centre in Maidstone and one at my local gym.
The professional support from the Exercise Medicine team at GenesisCare gave me the confidence to know I was doing the right things. It also gave me a sense of control and helped me mentally.”
Jon finished his chemotherapy in mid-April 2024 and three weeks later played in a national cup final hockey match.
New Zealand World Cup - Nov 2024 (7 months after finishing treatment)
Having been diagnosed with lung cancer in the December, to playing hockey again within months didn’t seem a very realistic goal, but I did it.
At the time of his surgery Jon had already been selected to play for the England’s Over 55’ s in the Masters hockey World Cup in New Zealand in November 2024.
“Getting fit enough mentally and physically to be able to play in the World cup and for us to win was a fairy tale ending. I look back at 2024 with pride at what I was able to achieve. Without the support of the GenesisCare Exercise Medicine programme I wouldn’t have been able to do it.”
Jon completing Park Run, Summer 2024
At the time of his surgery Jon had already been selected to play for the England’s Over 55’ s in the Masters hockey World Cup in New Zealand in November 2024.
“Getting fit enough mentally and physically to be able to play in the World cup and for us to win was a fairy tale ending. I look back at 2024 with pride at what I was able to achieve. Without the support of the GenesisCare Exercise Medicine programme I wouldn’t have been able to do it.”
Jon concludes “12 months on from my chemo I’m feeling good and I’m feeling fit. I’m looking forward to retiring soon and am preparing to take part in the trials for the Over 60’s Hockey team and the European Championships in August.”
“I’m a firm believer in the benefits of exercise. Since finishing my treatment at GenesisCare I’ve become an ambassador for a small charity called Move Against Cancer, 5k Your Way, which promotes the benefits of exercise to support those directly or indirectly affected by cancer.”