My name is Liam and in July 2007 I was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. Prior to a holiday in Turkey, I had undergone investigations at my local hospital, as for several months I had been suffering with abdominal symptoms (diarrhoea, loss of appetite and weight loss). Whilst on my holiday I noticed that I had also become jaundiced.
It was around this time that my sister Ann read an article in a local newspaper about Alan Bowley, who had recently travelled to America for CyberKnife treatment for an inoperable tumour. My sister immediately contacted the Bowleys, who provided me with lots of information about the treatment. I remember how, in the article, Alan urged other sufferers not to give up hope as there was the possibility of a cure.
We immediately contacted Georgetown University Hospital in Washington DC, where Alan had had his treatment. I quickly sent my scans to them but unfortunately, they informed me that they could not offer me treatment. Undeterred, I found out there was a CyberKnife centre at the Anadolu Hospital in Turkey. It seemed such a coincidence as my wife Jane and I had a holiday home in Turkey. My sister contacted Turkey and they requested a copy of my recent medical records and also a copy of my latest PET/CT scan. The last scan I had had at my local hospital was just a CT scan, so I decided to attend a local private hospital to have a PET/CT scan performed, as these types of scans are not available on the NHS.
Having a holiday home in Turkey, I decided to undergo chemotherapy there. Besides, at least the weather would be warmer than in the UK! In February 2008, following completion of my chemotherapy, I underwent 2 CyberKnife sessions on 2 consecutive days. I found the procedure straightforward and completely painless.
In August 2008, I again returned to Turkey for my 6-month post CyberKnife scan. Although the scan showed my pancreatic tumour had still not grown, unfortunately, the scan showed that cancer had now spread to my liver. Although the lesions were only very small, the Professor recommended I commence on Xeloda: a chemotherapy drug. On my return to the UK, I was informed that the drug was not available on the NHS but they could offer an alternative drug, no doubt an inferior drug but I could only obtain Xeloda if I went private. I was told that spread to the liver was common with pancreatic cancer and they had no experience of anyone living beyond 24 months – I thought, “I will show them!”
The care in Turkey was fantastic. They were friendly and caring and nothing was too much trouble for them. We even got picked up and dropped off at the airport by the hospital staff each time we were in Turkey! I’m sure the fact that the Professor recommended 3 monthly PET/CT scans was a significant factor in the detection of the spread of cancer to my liver at such an early stage.
Do not give up hope, as I believe that CyberKnife treatment has given me a great chance of putting my pancreatic cancer into remission. Keep faith that this type of treatment can give you a normal life again like it has for me.
Sadly, Liam passed away on 21st March 2009 whilst in Turkey. His sad death was not related to his cancer. His recent scan had shown that his cancer was inactive. His family are happy for Liam's story of his CyberKnife journey to be still told to others. They are so thankful that CyberKnife was able to give Liam the chance of living a full and happy life right up until his death.