Earlier this year we published the story of Nathan and Amy, and their children Brianna and new born baby Grayson. They were very happy for us to share their journey, both to give hope to others struggling with a cancer diagnosis and treatment and also to highlight how important it is to reach out for support during such traumatic times. We’ve recently received an update from Amy with lots of positive news so we wanted to share that with you too!

November 2022
Nathan, a 24 year old labourer who had worked in construction for five years was diagnosed with Stage 2 testicular cancer in November 2022. Within months, Nathan’s cancer had spread into his abdomen and he urgently needed to start chemotherapy. 

This devastating diagnosis coincided with the birth of his second child Grayson, a brother for Brianna.  But the joy of welcoming a newborn baby was mixed with the complexities of a tough pregnancy and prenatal depression experienced by his partner Amy.  

Both Nathan and his partner Amy were in a very emotional place and couldn’t quite believe this was all happening to their young family. Emotionally and financially, this was the darkest time of their lives.  

“I couldn’t take away the cancer. I just about managed to take care of the whole family, feeling numb but driven” says Amy. “I knew we needed support as everything was too overwhelming. I was recommended to contact the Lighthouse Charity, which has completely changed our lives for the better”. 

We stepped in to help support the family and take away some of the pressure during this time, including ensuring regular food deliveries were organised and paying off late payments for gas and electric bills. We provided Nathan with a new, more suitable bed that would help him sleep more comfortably during his illness, and managed to make him a priority recipient for a new home that would accommodate their situation better. Nathan was also granted a Discretionary Housing Payment to assist with housing costs, childcare and nursery payments were provided. 

Our team made recommendations to the appropriate health services to ensure that Nathan and his family received comprehensive care and regular follow-ups were conducted to monitor progress. They received personalised emotional support with regular one to one sessions aimed at keeping them positive and equipping them with coping strategies during the challenging times they faced. 

With all this extra support, Nathan was able to prioritise his health and focus on appointments and treatments and is now in remission. Unfortunately, another small tumour was recently found, however the family are remaining extremely positive and awaiting further consultation.  

“In such a dark time, we’ve come out stronger and healthier than ever before, all thanks to the Lighthouse Charity. I want to especially thank Carmen Dorrell, our family case worker. Your character and support will have a long-lasting effect on this family. You were on our side of the fight against cancer and the destruction it caused” said Amy. 

November 2023 Update on Nathan’s case
Nathan and Amy have recently received the keys to their new 2-bedroom house and have been busy with the exciting task of decorating it.

Brianna had a fantastic first day at school and is already thriving. The school has been exceptionally supportive of the family’s situation. Grayson celebrated his first birthday with a wonderful party, creating cherished memories.

Nathan’s health is improving, especially now he’s back to work – albeit temporarily. He has more surgery scheduled to address the lingering issue with the lymph node and it will require several months of recovery, but they’re prepared to face it head-on.

In a significant milestone Nathan successfully passed his driving test and is now eagerly awaiting the arrival of his work van, which will open up new opportunities for him.

Amy said, ”Nathan is looking super healthy! He’s happy back at work and preparing for the next surgery. We know he’ll be recovering for a good few months, but that’s ok, we’ll be ready for it. I did feel a little overwhelmed when everything started getting back to ‘normal’. The numbness started to wear off and it was back to reality. I can’t thank you enough- honestly for supporting us. We wouldn’t have got so far without you.”