FORMER cancer patient Jane Coleman from Appleton is running The Great Manchester Run on Sunday May 26, to thank the hospital that has treated her for the past two years.
Jane aged 61 was diagnosed in March 2022 with renal cancer, which had spread to her lymph nodes. She had surgery with surgeon Mr Gulamhusein to remove her kidney, adrenal gland and lymph nodes and then had a clear scan. She was unable to have preventative chemotherapy as her cancer was resistant to it.
In December 2022 Jane was told her cancer had returned – in the lymph nodes between her main blood vessels which made it difficult to treat.
Jane received Sabre radiotherapy in January 2023 which was unsuccessful. Then in August 2023 her oncologist Dr Waddell referred her back to Mr Gulamhusein to see if there was any chance of surgery. Mr Gulamhusein took some time and advice to review her case and decided that although it was difficult surgery he would operate, as Jane explains: “In September 2023 I had major surgery and three days in intensive care. Mr Gulamhusein did an incredible job and in February this year I was told I was in remission.
“I am scanned every 12 weeks, my next one is May…it’s a real roller coaster! I will never be able to thank Mr Gulamhusein and Dr Waddell enough for this chance of a cancer-free life. I know my cancer is sneaky and can return, but I live for every day.”
Jane decided she wanted to start fundraising for the hospital that cared for her and signed up for the Great Manchester Run/10K on Sunday 26th May.
“I have raised £4813 plus gift aid so far, and there is still more to come. I am not a runner, my best time for 10k is 85 minutes. My goddaughter Rachel, her mum Sally and her sister Bethan are all running to support me, and like me they are also raising money for The Christie Charity.”
“My cancer journey has been challenging, and scary at times, but I have felt safe in the hands of the most amazing teams. This is one way I can begin to say thank you. Every team member at The Christie is caring and supportive, and I feel like I am taken into their caring arms when I come into the hospital. Even when I was told I was in remission, my ability to cope with positive news after fighting for months, was a challenge, but The Christie was there to guide me through that too. When you are in the place nobody would want to be, you are surrounded by love and care.
To donate to Jane’s JustGiving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/jane-coleman-for-the-christie-scanner
To support the work of The Christie Charity, please go to Donate today (christie.nhs.uk) or ring 0161 446 3988.
