Cancer Champion Michael Barton, a 64-year-old bus driver, originally from Bradford, tells why he decided to volunteer for Yorkshire Cancer Community.
In 2017, Michael’s partner, Marie, was struggling with repeated chest infections, the couple didn’t expect to be told that she had Stage 4 lung cancer, with only one week to live, unless she received chemotherapy.
Michael recalls they were ‘thrown into the deep end’ with their world turned upside down. Marie wasn’t a well woman and suffered from COPD, but never complained about her health.
Michael reassured Marie, that whatever she decided, she had his backing and he would be with her each step of the journey. The pair were long standing friends who got together in later life after earlier relationships failed.
Marie opted to undergo chemotherapy at Dewsbury District Hospital but was so nervous on the day of her appointment, she had to go back the following day to commence treatment. However, her health got worse and worse. Always a petite woman, she lost two stones dropping from six stones to four stones. One of Marie’s wishes was that they should marry, and just a week before she died, they married at Dewsbury Register Office.
Michael said “She made everyone laugh. When asked if she would take me as her wedded husband, she replied, ‘I definitely do’”. Although Marie wanted to dance the night away, Michael realised she was too ill, and took her home instead.
But Michael is philosophical about the brevity of his marriage. “We might not have had long as a married couple, but Marie dearly wanted to die as Marie Barton. We did have lots of years together, and I feel everything happens for a reason.”
In 2022, Michael was receiving his annual check to test his iron levels. His GP referred him for a colonoscopy as his levels were particularly low, which revealed two polyps. A further CT scan revealed Stage 4 bowel cancer.
Despite Michael’s previous experience, he hadn’t suspected cancer, and looking back, he wonders if the earlier signs had been ignored.
He remembers feeling tired all the time, and following a blood test, his symptoms were attributed to him being anaemic or pre-diabetic.
“Now when I read the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, I wonder why no one picked up on it,” he says, which is why he is passionate about sharing the Cancer SMART message.
Knowing your normal, and getting checked out by the GP is an important part of the message, and Michael wants to ensure that this information is more readily available.
Michael received eight sessions of chemotherapy, which proved very bitter sweet. He sat in the same chair where he remembered Marie being so nervous, when she first went for treatment. But understanding how scary the process is, has made him reach out to other newbies having chemo.
“You can always spot them. They sit with their head down, whereas when you’ve been a few times you chat to the other people there. We’re the cancer club, and these people become your friends.
Michael also has good advice for patients following treatment.
“When you go home, don’t brood. If you are worried about anything, call your GP, call NHS111, call Macmillan or your friends. Talk to someone, otherwise it will get worse.”
Michael also resolved to offer his help wherever he could to help others to benefit from his experience. He is a befriender for Fresh Futures in Huddersfield, visiting two people each week. He volunteers for Cancer SMART, has joined our patient panel Patient VIEW offering his views and experiences to help improve cancer services, and is also working his way through the induction period to become a Yorkshire Cancer Community trustee.
He shared his personal mantra which helps to keep him focused and positive:
“Always forward
Never backwards,
Always positive
Never negative,
Always be awesome”.