MARC’S STORY

The year, 1992, started well for Marc Fisher; he had celebrated Christmas with his family in the usual festive manner, and the New Year with his friends.  Life was looking good, living with his family in a comfortable home, his girlfriend, a good job as a business manager for a main Mercedes dealership.  He was fit and well and looking forward to April ‘93 when he would be spending two weeks in Portugal with his girlfriend.

At 26 Marc had gone through his turbulent teenage years, some of which were extremely disastrous; but he had took hold of his life and turned it around to become the loving, sensitive man who loved life, loved people, and loved his family.

In February he joined the celebrations at his grandfather’s 70^th birthday - he was the life and soul of the party and was excited about the prospect of his grandparents forthcoming Golden Wedding in September.  Marc was enjoying life.  He was healthy, fit and taking care of his body. April came and Marc, with his girlfriend, went on holiday to Portugal.

April 1992               Marc mentioned to his mother that he was having excessive irritation of both feet accompanied by a rash.

 

Early June                Marc developed a slight swelling on the left side of his neck and he complained of having excessive sweating at night.  His mother said he should see the GP, but after a day the swelling subsided and as far as Marc was concerned, “he had a cold and a slight infection” - no problem.

 

Late June                 Marc had been invited to an engagement party and while getting ready noticed that the swelling had returned.  At the party the pain in his neck became unbearable.  He left and went to the Royal Free Hospital, but after waiting 5 hours left and went home, but followed his mother’s earlier advice and saw his GP the  next day.  The GP referred Marc to a specialist at the Royal Free Hospital and he was admitted immediately for a biopsy.

 

4^th July                     Marc was diagnosed as having Lymphoma - cancer of the lymphatic system

 

After much deliberation it was decided that Marc was suffering from Hodgkins Disease but it was difficult to determine whether non-Hodgkins lymphoma was involved.  Intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy was introduced.  Marc carried on working between treatments and was able to attend the Golden Wedding of his grandparents.  By the end of September ‘92 he had lost all his hair.  Marc accepted this as part of his intensive treatment. 

 

December ‘92          Marc was in remission, much to the delight of Marc and all his family.  An enjoyable Christmas was had by everybody and 1993 started with Marc on the way back - working full time and regaining his hair.

 

Marc believed he was free; returning to his normal lifestyle, enjoying every moment.  Going to watch his football team, Arsenal whom he had supported since childhood.

 

March 1993             Marc complained of pains in his back and a scan showed the cancer had returned, but this time it was Non Hodgkins Lymphoma.  His “T” cells were affected which made it more difficult to treat.

 

The news shocked both Marc and his family, but he trusted his doctors and prepared himself for whatever treatment they prescribed.  It was the beginning of the most painful, debilitating period that a person could endure.  His stem cells were removed to be frozen for future use, bone marrow biopsies, lumbar punctures and the most intensive regime of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

He suffered much distress throughout March, April and into May.  Marc spent time in hospital to receive the treatment, but he had great courage and even returned to work for a few hours when he could.  His will to live and love of life motivated him to endure the discomfort, which he saw as a means to an end.

His intensive treatment carried on throughout 1993, during which time Marc spend weeks in hospital, battling with mouth ulcers, infections, blood transfusions, bone biopsies and the effects of the drastic treatment he was receiving.

There were no highs in 1993.  Marc parted from his girlfriend which hurt; but his tremendous courage and the faith he had in his doctors enabled him to carry on, always ready with a joke or a funny remark and his wonderful smile whenever he could.

Spring turned to Summer and Summer to Autumn and still he battled on, always believing that all would be well, although at times his spirit wavered and he suffered many periods of deep distress only to come back and enjoy the visits of his family and friends.

December ‘93          The hospital agreed to let Marc come home to spend Christmas day with his family,.  He had lost all his hair again but joked about it saying “it was a bit draughty up there”.  He returned to hospital on Boxing day to continue his treatment.

New Year’s Eve      Marc was very special to most of the staff who cared for him at the Royal Free Hospital and they arranged the use of a common room to have a party for his family and friends on New Year’s Eve.

It was a good party.  His treatment was coming to an end and he was feeling better and looking forward to going home and back to work.  All his family and friends enjoyed the evening and were pleased to see him up and around.  Nobody knew what 1994 was going to bring and that this would be the last New Year’s Eve for Marc.

April 1994               Marc was in remission once again - his hair was growing and the possibilities of a future bone marrow transplant were discussed.  Because of the intense treatment he had recently undergone, a second opinion was obtained from a consultant at another London hospital.  He advised that the transplant be put on hold to allow Marc’s body time to recover.

 

Early July                 The cancer returned and the treatment started all over again.  Marc’s blood count was low, blood transfusions followed and he developed a massive infection which at one stage was life threatening.  He recovered - the will to survive was strong.

 

Late July                  It was decided to go ahead with the bone marrow transplant using Marc’s own cells that had previously been removed and frozen.  A donor could not be found and the situation was one where delay was not an option.

Total body radiation with horrific side effects preceded the transplant  followed by 14 days in isolation.  Marc was very ill but still managed a smile and assured everybody he would be up and around in two weeks.  To the surprise of the nursing staff this is what happened.  His blood count was good and he was exercising on a bicycle in his room. 

 

Early August             Marc was discharged from hospital and advised to follow a particular lifestyle because of the risk of infection.  He attended a wedding, when to the first game of the season at Arsenal and was able to celebrate his mother’s birthday.

 

September               Check up showed the cancer was still in his lungs. 

 

Marc told his mother that he could not take any more treatment and shut himself off in his bedroom in deep depression.  His birthday on October 4^th was a depressing day for everybody concerned, least of all Marc.  He managed to walk into the lounge with his family and blow out the candles on his cake.  He was becoming very weak and developed problems breathing.

October                   Shortly after his birthday he was admitted to hospital once again with a massive infection coupled with pneumonia.  The family were told the news they had dreaded - Marc’s organs were breaking down and his time was short.  Marc believed this was another set back and talked about his future with his family.  He was enduring immense suffering but his will to live never weakened.

Throughout his illness, Marc played a song by REM called  “Everybody Hurts”.  The song urges you to “hold on” - Marc hurt for 2½ years and he held on, but on

27^th October 1994   Marc could hold on no longer.  The cancer and the treatment, which was the best available, took his life three weeks after his 28^th birthday.

 

But he was here; he brought “sunshine” into the lives of all who knew him 

That light will continue to shine through the Trust

that bears his name