Bill Galinis

Bill Galinis has had a whirlwind 12 months. He visited his GP in July 2005 to complain of discomfort. An immediate concern was that he was suffering from bowel cancer, but tests quickly revealed that he actually had an unusual form of small cell cancer – usually found in the lungs – in his rectum. By August he was beginning treatment, having chemotherapy at home. “It’s strange, but after the initial shock I was quite calm and as upbeat as I could be about the whole thing,” said Bill. “Chemotherapy is nasty stuff, but after the very first session I could feel it was working.”

His family and colleagues were incredibly supportive as Bill finished his chemotherapy and then went on to a course of radiotherapy.

“I actually found the radiotherapy much more difficult than the chemo. You get to learn that chemotherapy will just wipe you out, and you sleep for days. But radiotherapy leaves your mind more active to think about things too much.”

After the treatment, his scan was booked for Friday January 13 th. “I really was worried it would be a bad omen,” said Bill, 52. “I’d been positive the whole way through but I wasn’t looking forward to it at all.”

But the scan came back all clear and he was in remission.

“I just broke down. I’d been strong the whole way through, but that was when I started crying.”

Bill is now on maintenance chemotherapy, and throwing his considerable energy into organising a celebrity golf day to raise money for Helen Rollason Heal Cancer Charity.

And he and wife Marion are heading off to Ireland on the Live Well Experience.

“We’re really looking forward to it – particularly Marion. It’s been very stressful for her. I think people sometimes forget how hard it is for the families of people with cancer.”

If you want to learn more about the Live Well Experience call 01245 513348 or 01245 514325. You can also e-mail anna@helenrollason.co.uk