174: John Walker Pattison survived hodgkin lymphoma and bladder cancer | vincristine | prednisolone | mitomycin

1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 174: John Walker Pattison survived hodgkin lymphoma and bladder cancer | vincristine | prednisolone | mitomycin | cystoscopy John Walker Pattison is still with us despite two protracted battles with cancer.&nbsp; He was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma in 1975 and relapsed three times.&nbsp; Then in 2018, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer, a diagnosis after which he relapsed once.&nbsp; After his lymphoma diagnosis, treatment included an aggressive chemotherapy regimen, which included nitrogen mustard, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisolone.&nbsp; John said effects from the chemo hampered his fight with bladder cancer and still affect him today, although his urinary function is just fine.&nbsp; &nbsp; John was in his late teens when he began to experience fatigue, night sweats, recurring cough and weight loss, among other symptoms.&nbsp; He was doing heavy lifting in the shipbuilding business, had difficulty at work and one day on the job he collapsed.&nbsp; Realizing he needed medical attention, he underwent scans and biopsies, and they led to a diagnosis of Stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma.&nbsp; He was told his chances of recovery were slim. &nbsp; In May 1975, his care team prescribed a chemotherapy cocktail of nitrogen mustard, prednisolone, procarbazine and vincristine, which only added to a high degree of fear he had for his future.&nbsp; &nbsp; Things went from bad to worse when he was informed that the chemo regimen didn’t work and he relapsed.&nbsp; In April 1976, he was put on a different regimen with cyclophosphamide taking the place of nitrogen mustard.&nbsp; That, too, was ineffective, resulting in another relapse.&nbsp; In December of that year, his care team tried radiotherapy, again with no success.&nbsp; &nbsp; In April 1977, John went on a regimen of palliative chemotherapy, with single agent vinblastine.&nbsp; On a subsequent visit, his oncologist raised his arms in triumph and shocked John by telling him he was cancer free. &nbsp; John Walker Pattison thought cancer was in his rear-view mirror, but in 2018, while traveling by air, he discovered blood in his urine.&nbsp; He was a health care professional and immediately knew something was wrong.&nbsp; Again seeking medical attention, he was diagnosed with Grade II Transitional Cell Bladder Carcinoma.&nbsp; He underwent surgery, followed by bladder installation of mitomycin chemotherapy.&nbsp; That was followed by transurethral laser ablation in 2020.&nbsp; Not long after that procedure, again, John was told he was cancer free. &nbsp; John Walker Pattison enjoys normal urinary function, but says he will be dealing with the side effects of the chemotherapy and radiotherapy he underwent in the seventies. &nbsp; That said, John wants to help others diagnosed with cancer.&nbsp; He has written a book, “Shadow of a Survivor,” which he hopes will be a source of hope and inspiration. &nbsp; Additional Resources: &nbsp; John’s Book, “Shadow of a Survivor,” available on Amazon John's Website, https://www.johnpattison.co.uk &nbsp; Cancer Interviews http://cancerinterviews.com <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/41259890/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/item/41259890