Glasgow man's 12-hour op after cancer mistaken for 'blocked sinuses'

When doctors told him he had nasal cancer which had spread to his brain, the Knightswood man was shocked.

“I had been visiting my GP for a few months,” he explains. “In January last year, an oncologist phoned me to tell me I needed a serious operation and radiotherapy treatment.”

Colin inside Maggie's Glasgow (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

The 12-hour operation affected Colin's hearing and his sense of taste and smell.

A short time afterwards, his family and wife Caroline noticed he was becoming increasingly withdrawn, so his younger sister Grace suggested he visit Maggie’s Glasgow.

Colin with wife Caroline and daughter Lisa (Image: Colin McCourt)

The charity, based at Gartnavel Hospital, provides emotional and practical support for people with cancer and their friends and family. It recently celebrated its 20th anniversary of supporting people in Glasgow.

“I had been told about Maggie’s while I was in hospital but I just thought that wasn’t for me,” admits Colin. “I suppose I was in shock and I was getting quieter and quieter. Meanwhile, I kept trying to turn the TV up to full volume because I simply couldn’t hear it.

“A few months after my operation, I had grommets fitted in my ears which brought my hearing back and my sister Grace made me go to Maggie’s.”

Colin at Maggie's Glasgow (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

He adds, smiling: “I’ve never looked back. I’m still having some issues with my sense of smell and taste but the staff at Maggie’s have supported me.

“Every one of them has been extremely gentle and kind. I have been able to speak one-to-one with a cancer support specialist. I also do relaxation and gentle exercise at Maggie’s.

“One of the best bits about going there has been meeting other people who have cancer, sitting round the kitchen table and being able to share experiences. We share things that might help each other as well.”

Colin and fellow Culture Crawlers prepare for the walk (Image: Glasgow Maggie's Centre)

Colin, Grace and Colin’s daughter Lisa are taking part in Maggie’s Glasgow Culture Crawl on June 2.

It is a sponsored 10k walk taking in iconic and cultural highlights, including the Women’s Library in Bridgeton and Glasgow Science.

“I did it last year and it is great fun – you see some great Glasgow venues and meet lots of lovely people on the walk,” says Colin.

“It’s important for me to be able to do something to give back to Maggie’s and help other people like me.”

Walkers will enjoy entertainment along the way from the start at the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust’s Bridgeton Bus Garage to the Clydeside Distillery, where they will be treated to a dram or two of whisky and music from a 30-strong folk band.

The route finishes at the Gallery of Modern Art with more live music from Merchant Sinfonia.

Maggie’s Glasgow centre head Kerry Craig, said: “Our Culture Crawl event has always been a highlight of the year with a fantastic, warm, friendly and fun atmosphere, but more importantly, as we rely almost entirely on voluntary donations, the funds raised will hugely help us to support people living with cancer.

“Cancer is possibly the most difficult experience of a person’s life and for many people the cost of living crisis has made living with cancer even harder, meaning our professional support is needed now more than ever before.”

For Colin, it is a chance to give back to the charity which helped him navigate some of his most difficult times following his cancer diagnosis.

“Cancer is hard on everyone but Maggie’s is also there for your family – my sister Grace comes along to do yoga sessions and my wife and daughter know they can speak to someone if they need to," he says.

“Maggie’s have helped to bring me back out of my shell and to feel like myself again.

"I can’t recommend them enough."

For more information, or to sign up to the Culture Crawl, visit Maggie’s Glasgow’s website.