I had a suspicion that cancer might be the diagnosis even before being told. The urgent message from my doctor to come in quickly gave the game away. Still, when I heard the words, it felt surreal. My first thought wasn’t “why me?” but “where do we go from here?” 

Telling family and friends was harder than hearing the news myself. Their reactions were understandably upsetting, and that in turn affected me. But in the end, sharing the diagnosis meant I wasn’t alone. I had support and encouragement right from the start of my journey. 

Given a choice: more chemotherapy or joining a trial 

I was first diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and underwent six months of chemotherapy. At the end, I was told I was in remission. Four years later, the cancer returned as Follicular Lymphoma. This time, I was given a choice: standard chemotherapy, or joining a clinical trial at Linear. 

I chose the trial. Even though I knew it would take longer and involve more hospital visits, the idea that my participation could help improve cancer treatment for others was appealing. The hardest part was the waiting period before starting. For about 12 months, I didn’t qualify because my tumours weren’t large enough, and during that time I could feel them growing. It was a huge relief when I was finally accepted. 

Now, I’m on cycle 8 of up to 24, and so far the process has been smooth. The staff have been wonderful, keeping me informed and supported at every step. One of the biggest benefits of being on a trial is the level of monitoring and checks. I feel reassured knowing I’m receiving the best possible treatment and that nothing is overlooked. That sense of care has brought calm to my family as well. 

From Waiting and Worry to Hope and Relief 

Before my referral, I knew very little about clinical trials. When I was told I could participate, I felt relieved, like I was being given access to something beyond standard treatment. I’ve since registered on Linear’s website to see if I might qualify for any other trials. 

If someone asked me about my experience, I’d say I’ve been very lucky to be eligible. The care has been excellent, the flexibility of the staff incredible, and the experience has given me both hope and peace of mind.