Helping others is in Rosemary Head’s blood. For years, she has dedicated her time selflessly to volunteering. She has worked on several Olympic games, including London and Rio, and has talked to various women’s groups. She even went out to an orphanage in Kenya, laden with goods for around 75 children and working with them for three weeks.
However, when she came to sharing her experience of lung cancer, Rosemary was hesitant… until she saw how her daughter was making such a difference by doing just that.
“I was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2019 – I had just returned from Glasgow after volunteering at the European Championships and just didn’t feel well. I felt lifeless, so tired and cold and I went to bed for five days, which was really unusual for me as I am usually very active. My daughter, Jackie pointed out that this wasn’t right and so I made a doctor’s appointment.
“The doctor thought I had pneumonia. They sent me to hospital where I received oxygen and a checkup. Although I was released but two weeks later, that feeling of lethargy returned.
“I was sent back to hospital where I had more oxygen but this time, I was also given a scan. Two years earlier I had a scan, so they compared the two and, after spotting something suspicious, sent me for a biopsy.
“I don’t want to frighten anyone, but the biopsy was a terrible experience. My lung punctured and a blood vessel ruptured. It was awful but it gave us the answer to what was going on. I had lung cancer and I needed surgery to remove the top lobe of my lung.
Lung cancer really can affect anyone
“The operation was carried out in October 2019 and then life carried on. Until we discovered that Jackie also had lung cancer.
“Now if my diagnosis was a surprise, Jackie’s left us dumbfounded. My daughter is one of the fittest people you would ever meet. She has climbed Everest and trained in the Arctic! The idea of Jackie getting lung cancer was shocking – and therefore such an important message to get out there. If Jackie can get lung cancer, anyone can.
“Jackie was diagnosed through lung cancer screening. Without it, I doubt we would have found it until much later. Unlike me, she didn’t have any symptoms and so was hesitant about even having the routine appointment. However, between my diagnosis and losing her father to the disease as well, she went – and I am so relieved. I’m almost grateful for my own diagnosis as it played a part in encouraging her to go for screening.
“I wish I could say that is the end of both our stories but four years after my operation, my cancer returned. By this point, I had turned 82 and couldn’t go through that operation again. Fortunately, the surgeon suggested I had a treatment called Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR), which is an intense form of radiotherapy.
“I had my treatment in January 2024 and thankfully, I have been stable ever since. My last scans have shown no evidence of disease (NED). Can you believe that?! They think I have scarring and the cancer was on the middle lobe may have burnt and shrivelled. Just amazing!
Women inspiring women
“And that leads me to now and why it was the right time for me to share my story. I have watched Jackie over the past few years, sharing her experience as much as she possibly can and seeing the positive impact it has had, so she has now inspired me to tell my story.
“Our experiences are different. Jackie was caught early whilst I will always live with this disease, but both are important to share. Jackie’s highlights that anyone – truly anyone – can get lung cancer whilst I am proof that you can live with this disease. It also shows the different ways we have to treat lung cancer now – from surgery to radiotherapy, chemo and precision medicine.
“I believe my positivity has got me through the past few years and here I now am, just trying to carry on with my days as usual. I just want to try and show other people that there is still life after lung cancer.”