In April 2024, Paul Moors was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and brain metastases. His first reaction was to prepare to die.
However, 10 months on and Paul can now see another side to his diagnosis, one that has allowed him to reclaim his life.
“Within seven days of being told I had lung cancer and seven brain tumours, I had written my Will, arranged my funeral, sold my business and cars and surrendered my driving licence. I had arranged future birthday presents for my wife and two daughters. I expected to die and die soon.
“Prior to my diagnosis, I had a very busy life. I am a father, grandfather and husband. I had a successful business. I travelled a lot. My life was whizzing by. Then suddenly it all stopped, and I was left waiting for the doctors to decide what options were available.
“Every twitch triggered anxiety. My wife reassured me the best she could, but we were powerless. I used to do parkrun most Saturdays, but I wasn’t allowed to even do that. All we could do was wait – and hope.
“Finally, I had my first oncology appointment. My oncologist was kind, calm and direct. My best treatment option was palliative chemo. My prognosis was 1-2 years.
A change in direction
“That evening, I had to break the news to my daughters and my parents. But around 7pm, my phone rang. It was my oncologist. She had discussed my case with a colleague who believed I could have targeted radiotherapy to my brain.
“We weren’t sure what that meant, but it felt like good news.
“The day came, and I went to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. I was told the treatment would last about 1 hour and 20 but unfortunately this highly expensive machine didn’t have the option to play music! They did have a CD player though if I wanted to bring one.
“It had to be ACDC, and it had to be played LOUD! I donated the CD to the department afterwards.
“The treatment was slightly uncomfortable, but painless. I closed my eyes and thought of my loved ones.
“I went home and anticipated side effects. But I was lucky. I didn’t really have any. Actually, anxiety caused most of my side effects.
“At my next appointment, my oncologist told me they were delaying chemo. She said, depending on how I responded to the radiotherapy, there was a chance I could have immunotherapy.
“After another anxious wait, my MRI scan revealed a dramatic reduction. Five of the seven tumours had gone and the two remaining ones had shrunk. Immunotherapy was a go! I have a 7-minute injection in my leg every three weeks, with three monthly scans.
Side effects of immunotherapy
“The immunotherapy caused a few mild side effects, mainly dry skin and rashes but my fabulous team guided me through it. I also suffer with some fatigue, especially when my wife asks me to do some chores!
“I had one small setback. I had a high temperature and was taken into hospital. I was allowed home a few days later and we never got to the bottom of it. It was mostly likely some sort of infection.
“My latest scans are good. My primary lung cancer is not visible, and my two remaining brain tumours are stable. I did develop a tumour on my kidney adrenal gland, but this has now been resolved.
The new Paul
“My diagnosis has been an adjustment – for both me and my family. It’s been hard. My family wanted the old me back and I guess I did for a while but now I’ve started to adapt to my new life.
“I started volunteering at my local parkrun. These events are something special. I don’t know what I would have done without it. I’m also on a new nutritious diet. I try to meditate and do yoga. I’m a completely new Paul!
“I can run again now. I started very slowly. After a few weeks, I ran a 5k parkrun, then built back up to a 10k, with my friends and family getting me across the line. It feels great to be back doing something I love, something normal.
“But living with incurable cancer, there will always be obstacles to overcome – or in some cases go around!
“Before my diagnosis, we had a big family holiday booked with our daughters, sons-in-law and the grandkids. But I was told I couldn’t fly, and travel insurance was sky high.
“After long, hard discussions, I convinced my family to go without me. Go have fun, I told them knowing I had a plan!
“With advice from my oncologist and immunotherapy team, I devised a route from Devon to Alicante via trains, buses and taxis. 23 hours later, I arrived at the villa and knocked on the door. The daughters and grandkids faces were a picture and the smile on my wife’s face said it all.
Cancer isn’t all negative
“My journey so far has taught me so much. Cancer may take my life but it has also given it back to me. It’s given me the chance to get to know myself again.
“I’ve learnt to not be so hard on myself and recognise you don’t have to be positive all the time. However, you need to find a way to get back to it and, where possible, embrace the cancer experience.
“I’m not saying it’s easy. I still feel like there’s an egg timer on my back. I still have anxiety at night because I know it’s not gone. But you can’t give up. This is my life and long may it continue – hopefully 😂”