{"id":10140,"date":"2025-12-21T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-21T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/?p=10140"},"modified":"2025-12-24T21:33:39","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T21:33:39","slug":"i-was-given-months-to-live-now-its-my-third-christmas-with-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/21\/i-was-given-months-to-live-now-its-my-third-christmas-with-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"I was given months to live \u2013 now it\u2019s my third Christmas with cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t\t\"Sandy\t<\/div>
My symptoms started\u00a0in early 2021\u00a0when\u00a0I felt tremors (Picture: Sandy Whitelaw)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Four Christmases ago, I was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour <\/a>and given just 18 months to live.<\/a><\/p>\n

My symptoms started in early 2021 when I felt tremors \u2013 like a strange vibrating sensation \u2013 in my stomach before the feeling moved to under my arm.<\/p>\n

I knew this wasn\u2019t normal, so, each time it happened, I went to my GP for help. I went back and forth a couple of times over the next few months, but he just put it down as a possible muscle spasm and referred me for an MRI scan.<\/p>\n

That MRI sadly never happened until I became an emergent case.<\/p>\n

Between Christmas<\/a> and New Year<\/a>, I felt the tremors again. I\u2019d been cooking dinner for the family on 27 December when my arm suddenly locked in an upright position and I couldn\u2019t move it for a full five minutes.<\/p>\n

This time, the vibrating was strong and excruciatingly painful, so my wife Fiona took me to A&E but I was only sent home with painkillers.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Sandy\t<\/div>
The tumour was glioblastoma grade 4 (Picture: Sandy Whitelaw)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then, on 3 January 2022, the same thing happened again. My arm locked and I couldn’t move it at all for 15 minutes.<\/p>\n

Once again I went to A&E and fortunately saw the same doctor who immediately sent me for an MRI and CT scan. That\u2019s when I learned of the frightening mass in my brain.<\/p>\n

No one could tell us what it was at this point, why it had appeared or when. All I could do was take the steroids I\u2019d been prescribed to help with the pain and swelling in my arm and wait for an operation on my brain.<\/p>\n

Immediately after my operation, my consultant said he was confident that he had managed to take most of the tumour away but that we would need to wait for the results of the biopsy to know exactly<\/em> what we were dealing with.<\/p>\n

Sadly, at my oncology meeting two weeks later, it was confirmed that the tumour type was glioblastoma grade 4.<\/p>\n

It was a terminal diagnosis<\/a>, and I was told my life expectancy would be around 18 months.<\/p>\n

My mother-in-law, who had come to the appointment with me as my wife had Covid<\/a>, had to leave the room. Fiona, who had been listening in on the phone<\/a>, had put her microphone on mute so that I couldn\u2019t hear her crying.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Sandy\t<\/div>
I had imagined for the future for my family (Picture: Sandy Whitelaw)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As for me, I thought, ‘That\u2019s it. Everything is over’. Everything I had imagined for the future for me, Fiona and our little girl, Imogen \u2013 holidays and Christmases together, seeing her grow up<\/a> \u2013 was pulled from under my feet.<\/p>\n

While I didn\u2019t have any more operations \u2013 the remaining 10% of the tumour could not be removed surgically because of where it was located \u2013 I did begin having chemotherapy in tablet form, and six weeks of radiotherapy. I was also prescribed anti-seizure <\/a>medication and steroids to take the swelling down on my brain.<\/p>\n

My hair started to fall out which I found very upsetting, partly because the scars on my head became more apparent, but mainly because it made the whole ordeal a reality.<\/p>\n

\n
Comment now<\/title><span class=\"metro-comment-cta__text\">How does this inspiring story resonate with you? Share your thoughts below<\/span><\/span><a class=\"metro-comment-cta__button\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\">Comment Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>And when that was all finished, all that was left to think about was that I didn\u2019t have very <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/08\/03\/terrible-health-anxiety-worst-fears-confirmed-23801784\/\">long to live.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>By the time December 2022 rolled around, I was feeling deeply sad about what I thought could be my last Christmas, yet I still wanted to make the most of it.<\/p>\n<p>We tried to keep things fairly normal by having our <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2022\/10\/28\/living-with-cancer-how-support-from-friends-and-family-can-help-17651761\/\">close family <\/a>members around like we always do and, thankfully, no one made too much of a fuss as I didn\u2019t want to be the centre of attention. But I\u2019d be lying if I said I hadn\u2019t started to dwell on the fact I may never experience an occasion like that again.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"550\" src=\"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SEI_277517033-5201-e1765370311810.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-25349744\" alt=\"Sandy Whitelaw: Four Christmases ago I was told I had 18 months to live\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>I decided\u00a0I had to live for every minute (Picture: Sandy Whitelaw)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I went deeper into my own thoughts, often crying when I was home alone and wondering why this had happened to me. Frankly, I couldn\u2019t see a way forward and was treating my life like it was already over.<\/p>\n<p>Concerned, Fiona suggested I found someone professional to talk to, and a few months later in June 2023, I found Maggie\u2019s \u2013 a UK-wide cancer <a data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/charity\/\">charity<\/a> providing free, <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/07\/07\/im-a-cancer-counsellor-first-questions-patients-ask-diagnosis-23505712\/\">professional emotional, practical, and social support<\/a> for anyone affected by <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/11\/30\/thought-dehydrated-truth-far-worse-24916820\/\">cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The charity put me in touch with a counselling psychologist who helped me to accept that, even though I have a <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/04\/16\/dad-gone-just-6-days-deadly-diagnosis-22917477\/\">terminal illness<\/a>, I\u2019m still here and I still have lots to offer.<\/p>\n<div class=\"factbox\" data-ico=\"factbox_article\" data-track-module=\"factbox_article\">\n<h2 class=\"factbox-title\">\n\t\t\t\tMaggie's Cancer Care \t\t\t<\/h2>\n<div class=\"factbox-content\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maggies.org\/about-us\/difference-we-make\/stories\/sandy-on-living-with-an-incurable-brain-tumour\/\">Maggie’s Cancer Centres<\/a> are drop-in support centres for individuals affected by cancer. They provide support to those living with cancer and their families.<\/p>\n<p>The centres offer a range of services, including workshops, nutrition and exercise sessions, psychological support, and a welcoming environment for patients, families, and carers.<\/p>\n<p>For help and information please contact <a href=\"mailto:Jacqueline.Clelland@maggies.org\">Jacqueline.Clelland@maggies.org<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>She also introduced me to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maggies.org\/support-information\/living-with-cancer\/\">\u2018Living Well with Ongoing Cancer\u2019<\/a> group where I was able to make many friends who were going through similar things. And it made all the difference.<\/p>\n<p>I decided I had to live for every minute, even the small things \u2013 like going to the chippy and playing with my little girl, or going for afternoon tea with Fiona \u2013 and, before I knew it, 18 months had passed since the diagnosis.<\/p>\n<p>December 25 soon rolled around again which we spent on a cruise. Then we celebrated Christmas 2024 in Turkey. I knew I was lucky to have made it past the 18 months mark, let alone two more Christmases, and I couldn\u2019t be more grateful.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"485\" src=\"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SEI_277517029-00da.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-25349755\" alt=\"Sandy Whitelaw: Four Christmases ago I was told I had 18 months to live\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>I am now registered disabled (Picture: Sandy Whitelaw)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This year, after being given the <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/08\/03\/two-thirds-disabled-people-fear-cant-travel-abroad-this-summer-23801250\/\">all-clear to fly<\/a> long distances, my family and I are gearing up to spend the festive period in <a data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/florida\/\">Florida<\/a>, where we\u2019ll swim with dolphins on Christmas Day. I\u2019m so excited and know <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/07\/06\/may-incurable-cancer-im-happier-ever-23570964\/\">we are going to have an amazing time.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Of course, I still have my limitations \u2013 I am now <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/12\/03\/took-10-years-call-disabled-25068381\/\">registered disabled<\/a> and I have to use a <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2023\/01\/19\/my-daughter-thinks-my-walking-stick-is-embarrassing-i-blame-society-18117236\/\">walking stick<\/a> as I have been left with limited use of my left leg \u2013 but I haven\u2019t needed any more treatment. <\/p>\n<p>I take anti-<a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/03\/10\/help-someone-epileptic-seizure-22698604\/\">epileptic<\/a> medicine, one <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/03\/26\/paracetamol-aspirin-ibuprofen-one-actually-need-take-22781364\/\">co-codamol and one paracetamol<\/a> every day, but that\u2019s it. And though I used to worry in between my scans, especially if I got more headaches, now I try to just look ahead. <\/p>\n<p>Because while I may not know how many more Christmases I\u2019ll see, one thing I know for sure is that life truly is for living and I want to enjoy every single moment of it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Do you have a story you\u2019d like to share? Get in touch by emailing <a href=\"mailto:ross.mccafferty@metro.co.uk\" data-type=\"mailto\" data-id=\"mailto:ross.mccarthy@metro.co.uk\">Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk<\/a><a href=\"mailto:Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk\" data-type=\"mailto\" data-id=\"mailto:Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk\">.<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Share your views in the comments below.<\/strong><\/p>\n<section id=\"share-buttons-bottom\" class=\"share-buttons share-buttons-bottom\"><a class=\"metro-button share-bar-comments\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span><title>Comment now<\/title><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-comments__label\">Comments<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><a class=\"metro-button share-bar-preferred-source\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/metro.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span><title>Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-preferred-source__label\">Add as preferred source<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>My symptoms started\u00a0in early 2021\u00a0when\u00a0I felt tremors (Picture: Sandy Whitelaw) Four Christmases ago, I was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour and given just 18 months to live. My symptoms started in early 2021 when I felt tremors \u2013 like a strange vibrating sensation \u2013 in my stomach before the feeling moved to under my arm. I knew this wasn\u2019t […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10142,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10140"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10140"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10140\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10148,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10140\/revisions\/10148"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10142"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10140"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10140"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10140"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}