At the beginning of 2020, I visited my GP due to stomach pains and problems swallowing. On the third visit, the GP agreed something wasn’t right and referred me for an endoscopy, which I was not looking forward to it, but my husband encouraged me to go to the appointment.
I attended the appointment at my local hospital I had the procedure and after a wait, that felt like a lifetime, I was finally diagnosed with gastro-oesophageal cancer.
On April 1st I had my first appointment (over the phone as it was during COVID) where we discussed treatment options. We decided that I would undergo chemotherapy at my local hospital, have surgery at UHCW, and then another course of chemotherapy.
My chemotherapy started and I had surgery on July 9th, where cancer from my stomach and oesophagus was removed. Thankfully, the surgeon was able to remove all of it. At my follow up appointment a couple of months later I was advised I was cancer free and wouldn’t need any further chemotherapy.
I first found out about research while I was still at UHCW after my surgery, when I was approached to take part in the Add-Aspirin study. I was told the study will look at whether taking aspirin daily after receiving treatment for early cancer can prevent it coming back and improve survival. This is a randomised controlled study, I would either be given aspirin or a placebo (a pill without active medication). I wouldn’t know which pill I was taking until the study has come to an end.
As the research study was not available at my local hospital, I would need to go to UHCW. Although, it was an hour and 15-minute round trip, I was more than happy with the care I received there during and after my surgery, so knew I would be in good hands.
It was Dr Scott-Brown, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at UHCW, who first approached me about the research study. I have never been involved in research before, but everything was very well explained, and I was able to ask any questions or list any concerns I had at the time.
I didn’t have any expectations, and I knew that it was something I would like to do. I felt confident in the information given to me by Dr Scott-Brown and knew I could withdraw at any time should I wish to.
I decided to take part in the Add-Aspirin study as I felt that someone else may benefit from this research and hopefully help at least one person going through cancer. The study was fairly simply. I just took one pill a day, which I added to my other medications, and it became part of my daily routine. I also had to have blood tests, which were done at UHCW on the same day I came to collect my medication. I experienced no side effects and didn’t feel unwell at any point during the study.
I came to UHCW every 3 months for the first year, then every 6 months from the second year of the study, where I would see one if the research team. I would be on the study for 5 years, which I will finish in October 2025. After this, I will find out whether I was taking the aspirin or the placebo.
At first, I would see Manju, one of the research nurses. She was a beautiful lady, so kind and amazing. She made me feel so comfortable and went above and beyond. I was sad was she left UHCW, but I am happy to learn she is back so will see her on my last visit in October. Which is a nice way to end my research experience.
All the research team were lovely and made you feel important. I saw Kathy, one of the research practitioners, a few times and again she was amazing and so friendly, and Albert another research nurse who was lovely.
I put my faith and trust in the consultants and research team, and I knew I would be ok. Being diagnosed during the pandemic, where you were attending appointments, having surgery on your own without your loved ones was terrifying. My son would drop me off, but I never once thought, what if I don’t see you again, I knew that I was in safe hands and I would be looked after.
There were times when I found it difficult, when I lost my hair due to the chemotherapy and I couldn’t be with my family because of the pandemic but I was told to be strong, to believe I was going to be ok and that I was going to make it and I did. I have been cancer free since September 2020.
My research experience has been positive. The care I have received from the research team has been amazing. If I had any concerns, they were only a phone call away.
To anyone who has an opportunity to take part in research, do it! For me it was taking an extra tablet a day and although not all research involves taking one tablet, everyone taking part in research is helping someone in the future. Someone else will benefit from you trailing a new drug or treatment options and that is something I am proud of.