The autobiography chapters 1 & 2 can be read here. This is Boycott about cancer struggle
Growth deducted
On 14 August 2002, Boycott noticed that the left side of his neck was unusually firm. He noticed the same even after a couple of days. He was about to get married to Rachael, his longtime girlfriend when he discovered the firmness but he didn’t inform anyone. To take his mind off, the Indian team visited his house because they had asked him when he was in India. Boycott had also invited some of his friends. Food from a nearby Pakistani restaurant was ordered.
He spoke to the players about cricket which took his mind off the health problem. He told the Indian team how and where to bowl to the English batsmen. India won that game handsomely. When Boycott was accussed of lack of patriotism, he defended himself stating that if England had asked for advise, he would have gladly given. Lots of people had helped Boycott in his career without seeking anything in return and he will do the same to any budding cricketer.
Discovery of the virus
GB met a local doctor and was directed to an ENT to check the lump on the neck. He went to Roundhay Hospital in Leeds. The hospital told him that there was a small node in the neck. Boycott did not reveal this to anyone else apart from his wife Rachel. However, someone at the hospital recognised him and enquired at the hospital who told him that Boycott had throat cancer. Rachel had spent the rest of the day informing friends and relatives that this was merely a test and there maybe nothing in it. Later, he underwent a chest x-ray which came out clear. Two days later, the lump was removed for biopsy. A few days later, the doctor called Boycott to come over to reveal that a cancerous tissue was found in the biopsy.
The next few days, weeks and months Boycott had to struggle with the fear of life or death. Boycott proceeded to cancel the flight tickets to Australia, credit cards, membership and annual subscriptions because he felt he would certainly pass away. Boycott was completely dejected, disappointed and depressed. He spent several days locked in a room crying. He got himself up one day and went to meet Dr. Jamie Woodhead, the local cancer specialist.
Further MRI and CT scans were done and Dr. Brendan Carey told him that he was lucky that the cancer did not spread to his body and that two secondary tumours on the shoulder and one in the neck were found. He was told that if the cancer had spread through the body, the chances of survival were only 5%. Boycott’s spleen was removed when he was a child because of an injury. The spleen stores the antibodies that fight infections. Without the spleen, he must be extra careful.
Support from various quarters
Several well-wishers had sent the couple, a lot of books about how to fight cancer. One such was Chris Woollams who wrote the book Everything You Need To Know On How You Beat Cancer. His daughter was diagnosed with brain cancer and the doctors said they could not do anything about it. The doctors informed Chris that his daughter may not live longer. Chris did not want to accept this and set off all over the world to research a cure for her. Unfortunately, he could not succeed but he has since then founded a charity, Canceractive, and a monthly magazine called Icon.
Chris is of the opinion that many people die because of ignorance and not because of cancer itself. His philosophy is to arm the cancer patient with as much information as possible so that they can make their own choice. Chris’s first point in a 15-point checklist is a cancer buddy. One who can take you to the hospital, listen to the doctor, get up in the morning and lead a normal life because the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy will be devastating.
Second home comfort. The discomfort a cancer-caring partner goes through is immense. Rachel proved to be a rock by Boycott’s side. Chris also asked Boycott to change the way he ate. He also got help from Darrell, a nutritionist who stayed with them for 3 days and showed Rachael what to cook. Nothing from a plastic container is allowed. Only vegetables, brown rice with tahini but red meat and dairy products were off the table. Milk was replaced with Oat Milk. His cancer schedule was prepared and Woollams prepared supplements that Boycott started taking. Different tablets, before and after chemotherapy. Several of his friends, who themselves were cancer survivors, offered advise and suggestions.
Discards surgery
GB’s surgery would require the surgeon to break his jaw to remove the cancer and stitch the jaw for it to heal. This will take 6 weeks. During that period, he cannot talk. Boycott would have none of it and he decided to ask for a second opinion. He was put in touch with Pat Bradley, an experienced surgeon who said that he would have to check down the throat to see the extent of the cancer. Boycott obliged but to meet Bradley, he had to travel a couple of hours towards Leeds. He met Bradley who told him that he had cancer the size of a 50-pence piece. It was too large and close to his voice box to be able to guarantee speaking. Bradley recommended chemotherapy and radiation treatment because the chances of healing were better.
GB had to decide whether to take the surgery or go the therapy route. Bradley’s report was sent to Catherine Coyle, the cancer specialist. She explained the steps clearly to Boycott and the chemotherapy was started immediately.
The problem with chemotherapy is that it kills all the fast-growing cells but it does not differentiate between the good and the bad cells. It destroyed Boycott’s saliva glands and his taste buds. He was taken to the Mould Room where measurement for a plastic mask was taken which must be worn during radiotherapy. The life of Boycs now revolved around endless appointments. Mask fitting on Tuesday which took 3 hours. Then kidney was checked for any damage caused by chemotherapy and other analyses. The Feng Shui master was invited to tell Rachel and Boycott where to sleep and in which direction etc. GB started laser treatment on 22 October. It was the first of 35 daily sessions that ran 5 days a week.
Boycott about cancer treatment