Man beats cancer - eight times

Apr 2 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A REMARKABLE man who has beaten cancer eight times is on a quest to raise thousands for charity.

Lawrence Stewart, 31, has had to contend with brain tumours, lung, liver and stomach cancer over the past 18 years.

But the Bathgate man has bravely battled them all and now wants to give something back to the Macmillan nurses who have helped him and his family throughout his illnesses.

Lawrence was first diagnosed with cancer in 1991 when he was just 14.

“I had pains in my abdomen and the medical people told me it was cancer,” Lawrence said.

“I was given chemotherapy and radiotherapy after surgery to remove the tumour.

“Things were fine until seven years later when at a check-up they discovered a lesion in my left lung and they had to cut out the lower lobe.”

In 2001 Lawrence was back under the knife again, this time to remove a tumour from his right lung, before having half his left lung removed in 2003 when his cancer returned there.

However, the father-of-two’s darkest day came in 2005 when doctors diagnosed him with what they said were incurable brain tumours.

“I was fairly well after my other operations until 2005 when I started to have really bad headaches,” Lawrence said.

“I went to the doctor and was told I had four brain tumours.

“Initially they told me there was nothing they could do for me. Doctors said they would treat me to try and give me more time with my daughters.

“They removed one through surgery and gave me radiotherapy and said the tumours were shrinking.

“Then a doctor said something amazing had happened and the tumours had all gone.”

Lawrence’s joy was short lived, however, when the tumour returned in June last year.

Doctors discovered it when examining the swelling on his head after he banged it on a golf cart on holiday and he needed a craniotomy to debulk the tumour.

Lawrence’s health problems did not end there and just two months later he was back in hospital.

He said: “It was found that I was anaemic and it turned out I had a tumour in my stomach and liver.

“I received chemotherapy to get rid of them and I am currently in remission.

“I don’t think it is genetic as my mum and dad have never had cancer.

“I’ve never smoked or anything like that. It’s just one of those things I suppose.

“My cancer seems to be slow growing which maybe is a blessing.

“But I’m still here and I just keep on fighting.”

Now Lawrence and 11 friends are aiming to take part in the Longest Day Golf Challenge for Macmillan Cancer Support, which will see them all play four rounds of golf in a day.

The keen golfer will put his own worries to one side to take part in the event to give something back to the charity that has supported him and his wife Lynsey and daughters Rachel, 6, and Abbie, 2.

Lawrence said: “This is a way to say thank you to Macmillan.

They have been there for my wife throughout my illnesses.

“She knew there was always someone there to talk to if she needed it.

“I have had to retire from being a bank manager with HSBC due to ill health and they helped advise me on benefits I can claim.

“I am a massive Hibs fan and managed to get eight other fans from the message board to sign up to the golf challenge along with other friends and family.

“One of them did it last year and raised £1000 themselves so I hope to get around £10,000 between us.

“You can do it on any day but we are aiming for late July so that we have lots of daylight.”

Lawrence is looking for support for his effort and would like to hear from any businesses willing to sponsor him and golf courses that would be able to let them play the challenge.

Contact the Courier at 01506 633544 or e-mail awatson@s-un.co.uk and we will pass on your details to him.