Introducing Alex

Alex, in the UK, retired from international competitive-level swimming. While always extremely fit and healthy, he began noticing a general malaise and a persistent fever. It turned out Alex had an ALK-positive form of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) – a rare type of moderately aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Here Alex shares his story in his own words. 

“I was diagnosed with the ALK+ form of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK+ ALCL) in 2019. Prior to my diagnosis, I had recently retired from international level sport - I was a swimmer and was fit. My initial symptoms were only a persistent fever and general malaise so, perhaps reasonably, was treated with antibiotics and bedrest. It wasn't until this had persisted for a few weeks without improvement that I was checked-in to hospital for observation and further testing. It was another week or so when I exhibited small red spots throughout my skin, after which a biopsy was taken, and the diagnosis was made. Within a day of the results, I was told the treatment plan, and a few days later it began. The regimen, CHOEP – a form of chemotherapy – was the standard of care at the time.''

“I responded well to the treatment. In fact, the first cycle of chemotherapy, I experienced zero side effects and felt phenomenal. I began to experience side effects from the second round onwards, however... But I found solace during treatment by researching how to make my treatment more effective. Two things I found helped, holistically speaking, were meditation and eating a ketogenic diet around treatment sessions. I have continued to meditate and do intermittent fasts now.''

“It was a long six months I was at home. My father worked from home most of the time, and my mother was doing voluntary work; they were my bedrocks during treatment. My brother was away training (also a swimmer), and he visited regularly. My family was wonderful, but such an event did take its toll on them as well. I was also astounded at the care and attention I received from the cancer specialist doctors and nurses at Churchill Oxford.''

“After the final treatment I didn't want to celebrate, knowing how insidious cancers can be. But it turned out after my review scan that I was in complete remission (and have been since). I have completed online courses in immunology and pharmacology, inspired to explore the world of medicine. However, what truly interested me was data and information – especially with a view to understanding research. I completed a master’s degree in data analytics and have been working with data ever since.”

Published June 2023