Miracle baby

Paula Klein (42) was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma 16 years ago and Paul (38), First Horn with the Ulster Orchestra, had testicular cancer (which spread to his lymph nodes) 10 years ago. But despite their battles with cancer, the story has a happy ending and the Kleins now have a fun-loving three-year-old son called Fraser.

Paula, who also works for the Ulster Orchestra and plays the clarinet in her spare time, said “I am delighted to have been asked to speak at the conference. I want to share my story in the hope that it will give encouragement and support to anyone who has cancer, especially younger women.

“As well as having to cope with our diagnoses and the unpleasant side effects of cancer treatment, Paul and I were both unsure if we would be able to have children. We only met each other seven years ago and I think the common understanding of what we’d been through helped to cement the relationship. We knew our odds of conceiving weren’t great, especially as I was pushing 40, but we’ve been incredibly fortunate,” she said.

“I was only 26 when I was diagnosed, after 18 months of being tested for everything under the sun. I had vague symptoms of tiredness and pains in my lymph glands, but it was only when a lump on my neck appeared that there was something visual to confirm I wasn’t a hypochondriac and finally something to biopsy.

 “I had three months of chemotherapy, which made me very sick, and a month of radiotherapy. There had been talk of storing my eggs but there wasn’t enough time – the doctors were keen to get my treatment started. The consultant decided on a drug regime he had not used in 10 years that he knew would be kinder to my reproductive system - but still with no guarantees.”

“As Paul had testicular cancer he similarly had no guarantees regarding his fertility. He was subjected to a harsh regime of chemotherapy and always said that music was one of the main things that pulled him through emotionally.  He is hoping to perform as a soloist later in the year with a local amateur orchestra and has promised to donate his fee to Cancer Focus,” she continued.

“Given everything that had happened, and taking my age into consideration, we count our blessings and realise what a miracle child Fraser is. We’re even thinking about having another one!”

Paula added, “I can also recommend the Cancer Focus lymphoma support group which was a great help to me when I was recovering as it gave me great comfort to meet other people who were in a similar situation.”

The theme of the conference is taking care of yourself both emotionally and physically. The conference, which is being held in association with the Irish Cancer Society, will also explore current treatments of the disease which affects more than 1,000 people inNorthern Ireland.

Deirdre Conlon, Care Services Manager at Cancer Focus (the new name for the Ulster Cancer Foundation), said, “Lymphomas are cancers of the lymphatic system, part of the circulatory system.  There are two basic types of lymphomas – Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  Lymphoma has one of the fastest rising incidence rates of any cancer and researchers are working hard to discover its exact cause. 

 “There are more than 35 known types of lymphoma so we want to make sure that people are aware of the most common symptoms.  These include painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin, night sweats, high temperatures or fever, tiredness and persistent fatigue, coughs and breathlessness or an itch over the body with no rash.

  “We would encourage anyone worried about any of the symptoms for lymphoma, those who want to find out more about the disease or join our lymphoma support group to contact our information and support helpline on 0800 783 3339, which operates Monday to Friday 9am – 1pm. Email queries can also be sent to tobywheeler@cancerfocusni.org.”

 Among the other speakers will be Dr Mary Drake, consultant haematologist with the Belfast Trust, who will talk about stem cell transplant as a treatment for lymphoma, and counselling psychologist Dr Donal McAteer, who will discuss The Internal Carer: Looking After Ourselves. Frank Liddy will speak on Mindfulness:The Art of Falling Awake.

 The conference runs from 10am to 3pm and lunch will be provided. The event is free of charge for patients and carers. A limited number of places are available so anyone wishing to attend should contact Toby Wheeler at Cancer Focus Northern Irelandon 028 9068 0751 or email tobywheeler@cancerfocusni.org.

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For further information please contact:

                                                                                                      Pauline Wylie, PR & Events Manager, Cancer Focus, on

                                                                                                                        028 9066 3281 / 07810 371118

                                                                                                                                                  or

Marie Foy, PR & Events Officer, Cancer Focus, on

028 9066 3281 / 07736 358692