"I feel like a very lucky person, which some people may find a funny way of looking at it."- Jed's story

Howth local, Jed van de Poll says it was a stroke of luck which led to his blood cancer diagnosis in March 2022

“I’d had a bad back for most of my life, and in February 2022, I took some anti-inflammatories which caused a really painful infection in my bowel. I was rushed to A & E, where they did a scan on my abdomen.  When they showed me the scan, I saw a huge lesion on my pelvic bone, and I thought oh dear, I think I know what that is. My mother died from multiple myeloma aged 57, so I knew a lot about it. I knew what was coming and wasn’t shocked when I got the cancer diagnosis of multiple myeloma. I was told it was a very aggressive form, they reckon I only had it about 6 months, and they were lucky to catch it.”

Upon diagnosis, Jed was offered to join a clinical trial, comparing a new treatment for Multiple Myeloma with the standard of care treatment. Jed has been on this trial for 2 years now.

Speaking about the Trial, Jed says

“My mother lived about 2 years with her diagnosis, but thanks to cancer research, treatments are getting better and better. I feel like a very lucky person which some people might find it a funny way of looking at it. I can be at the Mater in 35 mins and my consultant is a world specialist on multiple myeloma. I also apparently have hard bones, so that’s luck in my eyes.”

Jed found telling his family about his cancer diagnosis really hard, but says they have been a lifeline since he was diagnosed.

“During my treatment, I was in a wheelchair for weeks. My wife, Pam couldn’t have been more supportive than she has. She washed me and fed me. Because of her, I haven’t accessed any of the supports available, because she provided all of that. I always think, what would have happened to me if I didn’t have Pam. For those, who don’t have a partner, like Pam, who can dedicate themselves 100% to the person, they need support, and that’s what charities like the Irish Cancer Society are there to help with- free lifts to treatment, counselling supports, advice, and a listening ear.”

Jed has also recently been appointed to the Government’s Cancer Patient Advisory Committee, which raises questions around cancer patient treatment in Ireland. He is keen to raise awareness about the importance of clinical trials for cancer patients in Ireland and to ensure as many patients as possible are taking part in trials. 

Jed is doing well now and will remain on his clinical trial for three more years. He is back to walking Howth Hill every day.

“I’m doing ok now, I’m not as strong as I used to be, I wonder is it my age or is it the cancer… Because of my treatment, I’m not suffering from the cancer directly, I have full mobility and only had one fracture before diagnosis and none since. I have full mobility. 

“Hearing ‘its cancer’ is very, very tough. When people first get diagnosed, they are absolutely devastated, but I really feel that a positive mental attitude goes a long way and has really helped me through.”