Meet Andy, a man who turned a stage four lymphoma diagnosis into a beacon of hope for our community. After facing his own battles, he created the Patient Cancer Support Group, a warm and welcoming space where people can share their stories and find camaraderie in their struggles. This isn't your typical support group; it's all about real talk, empathy, and the kind of laughter that makes the tough times a little lighter. Andy's journey from patient to community leader is a testament to resilience, proving that even in the darkest tunnels, there’s always a glimmer of light. So grab your coffee, kick back, and join us as we dive into Andy's inspiring story and learn how this group is making waves in Shepperton, one heartfelt conversation at a time!
Welcome to the Sheppertonian. I'm Gareth, and before we begin today's story, a huge thank you to the members of our business club who make this podcast possible.
Thanks to our supporters, Walfinch: Hampton, Twickenham and Virginia Water, who are redefining home care by helping clients pursue active lifestyles; and Island Motors, our local family run mot and repair specialists who offer convenient evening and weekend collection.
We're also grateful to our partners the Ferry Coffee Shop. Whether you're walking the Thames path or making a special visit, they look forward to welcoming you to their coffee shop overlooking the Thames at Shepperton Lock.
Danielle Davies, a celebrant creating ceremonies as unique as the people at their heart; and the Sound Boutique providing thoughtful audio for every story.
You can find links to all of our supporters and partners on the Business Club page at thesheppertonian.uk and also in the show notes of this episode, so just scroll down.
Today we meet a man named Andy. 12 years ago he was faced with a stage 4 lymphoma diagnosis.
Out of that dark time, he built something that has become a lifeline for hundreds of people in our community.
Andy Anderson:
I was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma and although I think I was expecting something, I thought originally it was hernia because my stomach has this big thing moving from one side to the other.
And at the time I was building a little garage, although I wasn't, I'm not a builder, but I felt that something was my right abdomen, it was up by the top and I thought, oh yeah, when I finish this, I go and do it. But by then a lot of lumps and bumps started coming up around my neck, under my arms and so on, and I knew it was something a bit beyond that.
So I went for a scan the doctor sent me and everything else and it was found that was so large, in fact the one in my abdomen was 10 x 11 cm. So it was massive and that's why it was stage four, because of his size more than anything else. So I saw a consultant.
The consultant said, look what you want to do, do you want treatment? And I wasn't keen in that. I wanted to go what is called watch and wait, see what happens. Although it was a massive and everywhere was pumped up.
But then I had the treatment two and a half years later because of what I was doing, it kept everything at bay. But at the same time I knew I couldn't carry on what I was doing. So eight years ago I was looking for somewhere to go and talk to People.
I'm not a guy to get on Internet and talk to them. I didn't think it was emotional enough. All my life I worked with people, so there wasn't anything around, believe it or not.
And I thought, I'm going to start this myself. So I approached Shepperton Medical Practice.
They said, you can use our name, but you must make sure that people think that it's nothing to do with us. And I said, absolutely. Wonderful. We give you the room so you can start here. And that's how we started, with three people turning up.
Gareth Davies:
What Andy created wasn't a clinical environment, but a safe place for emotional expression where patients could feel validated.
Andy Anderson:
The Patient Cancer Support Group is a registered charity and it covers Spelthorne, Runnymede and Elmbridge as well as surrounding areas. Now, that means we had people coming from Slough, people coming from Feltham, so basically we don't turn anyone down.
People would talk about their own experiences. They talk about their fears, their triumphs.
And I think, in my view, that creates an atmosphere that patients feel validated and at the same time understood, because everybody's talking about the same thing by sharing stories and by learning from others. I think that for me, it creates and it fosters a sense of belonging and people feel they're not alone in their struggle.
They open up a little bit more.
And I think the empathy within the group is so apparent in so many cases and it becomes so obvious, and maybe that alleviates some of the isolation and fears people have. I think the majority of people will call me first, they will write to me, so I give them an idea as to what we do, what to expect there.
But I have found that it's always very difficult for people to come and talk about their own personal things. So what I tend to do, as soon as they come in, if I haven't seen them before, I will talk to them about what happens.
So I spend two or three minutes with them. There is coffee, tea, biscuits and everything else, so they relax anyway.
More often than not, they turn up with a partner or a friend or something, and what I do say to them, because there's a lot of misconception out there about, oh, I'm forced to say something, I don't want to attend meetings, and it's not like that at all. I tell them to sit back, listen to what was going on. If they want to contribute, if they feel that they're happy to do that, by all means, do it.
If you don't, just listen, because you learn by that, as well, and you think, is it really the place for me? And I know these kind of meetings are not for everyone, I'm well aware of that.
But also anyone who comes there who doesn't want to start talking about things, you could find that, oh, I feel comfortable here. You know, people are talking about themselves and they share their own stories.
So, you know, it is one of empathy, it's one of welcoming, it's the one of there's nothing solid about it. There's no script, if you like to go. We do what we like. And there is a lot of humour as well in there, not just talking about cancer.
Gareth Davies:
The group thrives on peer to peer support where those in remission provide hope to the newly diagnosed.
Andy Anderson:
I think the most profound benefit of the group is the hope and inspiration that it provides to so, so many people. When you hear in stories of resilience, if you like recovery, then anyone coming in listening to that gives a sense of hope that. Hold on a minute.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. And I do know from my own experience that the tunnel might be long. And I'm a realist to know that, you know, let's be serious about this.
There's no easy way out of this. You're going to go through some tough times, but that light at the end of the tunnel just keeps you going. And I think that's really what it is.
We've got some 300 members now on Facebook and everything else.
But I think what's happening, particularly on the last one, we have 13 different cancers within the room and people will say, well, hold on a minute, how is the prostate cancer going to help a lung cancer? Or it's not about medical side here. We're talking about how people can cope and what is the best way.
And some of the exchanges between the patients and the carers and the loved ones is phone numbers is, oh, I've done this. Or maybe you go there. And I think that's really, it's a peer to peer support and it works wonders.
I'm only there to put the jigsaw pieces together, you know, okay, I'm privileged to be running it, but someone needs to do that. That's all it is. But they is their group, as simple as that. They are charity.
Gareth Davies:
Andy has extended this support through a private Samaritan-type listening line and a YouTube channel featuring inspirational stories and research.
Andy Anderson:
Last year we decided that maybe people want to talk to us in private. So I have now got a dedicated line for anyone wishes to speak to us.
It's a kind of, if you like, a Samaritan line, if I can put it like that, where it's a listening ear. And there is a phone number on Facebook group. It's only for members because if I put it out, I won't be able to cope with the phone calls.
And because it's not 24, 7 sitting on here waiting for the calls to come in, they can leave their name, their phone number, and I will call them back. It's not a question of advising anyone. It's just that maybe they want to listen to someone else, what it is, rather than the relatives.
I have had a few calls and in fact, a couple of them I actually met and had coffee with them because obviously, to start with, they don't want to be seen. They're not telling you too much. They want to be anonymous.
And I can understand that, you know, but that obviously sparked off a different relationship. And in fact, those people as they come to the group, so you can see how it goes. And at the same time, last year we set up a YouTube channel.
We interview cancer patients.
So it's an inspirational side of it as well there, because I research quite a bit on new studies and research, and that's something that we talk about the meetings as well. I decided that I've done the work, so I do a little video, maybe five minutes or something, and I upload that there.
So a lot of people will look at that as well or listen to that as well. I hope it all helps. Yeah.
Gareth Davies:
Andy's journey from a stage four diagnosis to a community leader is a powerful reminder of the resilience found right here in Shepperton.
Andy Anderson:
Yes, I have been a patient. I have been in remission for, I don't know, seven years now, whatever it is. But at the back of your mind, you're still a patient.
Whichever way you look at it, you're a patient. I think every six months, I'm reminded of my checkups that I have, that I'm a patient. I have adopted a few things that helped me so far.
But I think listening to other people as well, I think I have learned a lot more.
Maybe I wasn't doing that at the time, but I can see now how people are pinning their hopes on certain things, either because they've heard or they're doing. And I think that I gathered that information because those people might not be there tomorrow.
Some of them come there and they go back, and I thought, this is quite nice to mention at some meetings to help others. So it's gathering of information, really.
And if someone tells you, I know what you mean, you don't, you really don't know what I mean, simply because I am me and you are you.
And although we understand roughly what the situation is, everyone is unique in their experience and it's nice to mention all of these things because they might fit on one situation but not on the others. And people will judge for themselves as to what's good for them. And I think that's so great, so great.
Gareth Davies:
I asked Andy, if people are unsure about whether to reach out and join a group like this, what would he say to them?
Andy Anderson:
I'll say that we've all been through that situation. It is daunting.
And I think what you're going to get out of the group is a sincere message and a sincere experience from people who are already going through. Yes, it's an enormous mountain to climb, but at least at the same time, maybe what other people are saying will help you move on to the next stage.
And I think that's really the message that I'm going to put across to a newly diagnosed is there is hope out there.
It's difficult to know which avenue to take, if you like, because the medical is telling you one thing, you've got relatives and friends who are trying to support you, but, you know, we've all been through there. I didn't tell my kids for three months because I didn't want them. What I thought I was trying to protect them.
And when they heard, obviously I won't say what they said, but friends always say, ah, you'll be all right. You do that. And sometimes it's not what you want to hear because if you're not doing okay, you think, oh, my friend said I should be okay.
So you're going further down from the people within the group, you're going to hear what they've gone through.
Gareth Davies:
You can find the group at thepatientcancersupportgroup.co.uk.
Andy Anderson:
We have a website which is straightforward, thepatientcancersupportgroup.co.uk. They can find email in there. It actually tells them who is supporting us, what do we do.
So we also have a Facebook group that can join that is private, so we don't work want any silly things to be uploaded on that. I do approve patients to come in or anyone to come in, and also I approve every single post that goes in there.
But it's again, I think it's word of the mouth these days. I mean, we're supported by the two hospitals. Our poster is on every notice board of the hospital by change.
Because of my connection with them, I sit on the cancer board of the hospital. So therefore I get as a patient representative, let's just say so I get information from them. I take hours there.
So that's why the posters there, Macmillan have it on their website so they can be referred to from there. Medical practices have it on their electronic screen now as well as posters.
Gareth Davies:
That was Andy Anderson of Shepperton's Patient Cancer Support Group. As he mentioned you can find out more from the patientcancersupportgroup.co.uk where you can see their scheduled meetups and the link to the Facebook group, as well as loads of information about the group. Thanks again to our Business Club supporters and partners.
And don't forget, if you're a business and want your message seen and heard by a local audience, you can find out more on the Business club page at thesheppertonian.uk. Thank you for listening. I'm Gareth. This has been the Sheppertonian. Until next time, I'll see you around.
