On 23 November 2019, a date I will never forget, whilst undergoing what I thought was a routine enderscope, I was told that it looked like I had cancer of the oesophagus. My world (and my wife’s) world collapsed.

After numerous tests over a two month period my diagnosis was stage 2 cancer and treatment would be along a curative path and involve, chemotherapy, operation to cut it out followed by further chemotherapy. Looks like 2020 is not going to be my best year ever.

My treatment started a month ago and is at 2 weekly intervals (unfortunately the NHS are struggling with this).

After 2 sessions I can report that the side affects are not is bad as I had expected. It takes around 6 days to fully recover after each session. During that time I suffer acute joint and bone pains but am told this is down to the injections of Nivestim I have to self administer. apart from this, it too bad.

For any golfers out their wondering how your golf might be affected. I have a PICC line fitted and still playing as much as possible although in the cold weather I have to wear at least 2 pairs of gloves and socks as I am hypasensitive to the cold. Please note: check with your consultant first about playing golf,with a PICC line in, mine side it would be ok and to,get as much exercise as possible.