A man who thought he had a blocked tear duct was given a devastating diagnosis – before losing an eye and having most of his face repaired with skin and muscle from his thigh. Graeme Heward, from Lymm in Cheshire, suffered with eye issues and sinus pressure for eight months before he was given horrific news by medics.
The 62-year-old was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive sinonasal cancer in 2010. ‘The alien’, as Graeme dubbed it, caused significant damage to his face.
“For months I thought my watery eye was a blocked tear duct because I wasn’t unwell at the time,” he said. “When it was discovered, doctors thought it was benign, but suddenly it became a fight to live.”
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Graeme has undergone 29 surgeries and had radiotherapy and chemotherapy. He lost his right eye. Skin and muscle was grafted from his thigh to cover most of his face.
“I did have a weird appearance, it was quite profound,” he added. “How I managed with that, I don’t know. When I would go shopping people would stare and children would point. It was difficult to deal with.”
In 2017, surgeons attempted a reconstruction of Graeme’s nose, but he ended up losing it. The cancer had also moved to his parotid gland, which damaged facial nerves. The effect was similar to that of a stroke.
The following year, Graeme had a prosthetic eye and nose fitted, which helped his vision and confidence.
“The treatment was like living the hangover from hell every day,” he added. “It was horrendous losing half my face and was extremely difficult to overcome, but like a phoenix rising from the ashes, I got a prosthetics face which made a big difference to my life.”
The cancer later appeared in an area in Graeme’s neck. Exhausted, he made drastic changes to prolong his life.
“I changed my diet and reduced stress in my life,” he added. “That was mostly from the sanctuary of Maggie’s Manchester Centre – a charity providing free cancer support – during this vital turning point in my life.
“There was nowhere non-clinical for people to go for help. It was a combination of a cathedral, home, greenhouse and art gallery – it’s a space that’s beneficial for your soul. Death was behind me, and the change in lifestyle, including being supported by Maggie’s pushed that further away.”
Graeme is now planning on taking on a Gran Fondo cycle challenge in aid of Maggie’s Manchester and is encouraging others to join.
The challenge – which celebrates Maggie’s partnership with UCI Cycling World Championships – asks people to notch up either 250 or 500 km between now and 13 August to raise funds for Maggie’s.
Graeme had previously taken on the challenge of cycling 1,200 miles across 16 consecutive days, visiting each Maggie’s centre across the UK raising an incredible £24,000 for the charity.
It’s had such a positive impact on his life that Graeme is now keen to take on a new challenge as a way of giving back to Maggie’s after being supported by the charity’s centre next to The Christie Hospital in Manchester.
“People say I’m a touch of inspiration, but all I’ve tried to do is live,” he added. “But if I can make a difference to one person’s life and encourage them to keep fighting then that is an honour.”
The father-of-two even wrote a book – Riding with the Alien – an autobiography describing a four-year period in his life. He now is looking to write the second part of his cancer journey, and said any money from the publication of the new book will go to Maggie’s.
He said: “When we are at our most vulnerable, Maggie’s is there to support us, our families and friends through whatever cancer can throw at us. They gave me a purpose and a reason to live. I would like to encourage other men, and women, to go to Maggie’s and that’s why I’m taking part in the Gran Fondo Challenge.”
Maggie’s Manchester Centre Head, Dr Robin Muir said: “I am so grateful to Graeme as well as everyone else who is taking part in our amazing Gran Fondo event.
“It is quite a challenge, but we appreciate every push of the pedal – as we rely on voluntary donations to help as many people living with cancer as possible.”
Participants who sign up to raise funds for Maggie’s will receive a free cycling jersey and can join the community via a dedicated Maggie’s Virtual Gran Fondo Facebook group as well as tracking rides on Strava and joining the Strava group to be part of the chat.
For more information on the Grand Fondo click here and to donate click here.
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