Ian and Ken on talking to a cancer support specialist

Monday 14 July 2025

Maggie's, Edinburgh


Edinburgh centre visitors Ian and Ken in front of statue of Maggie Keswick Jencks

Ian and Ken, who have been together for 26 years, came to Maggie's for support following Ian's diagnosis of head and neck cancer.


At first, the couple didn't think they needed support. But then their consultant suggested they come to 欧美无码 to speak with our experts.

Ian says: 鈥淲e鈥檝e now been visiting Maggie鈥檚 for two years, and we have found it really helpful to have somewhere and someone to talk to, and to get expert advice.

It鈥檚 great because you don鈥檛 have to make an appointment to come to Maggie鈥檚, and it offers easy, open access for all.

鈥淭here is nothing to fear about coming to Maggie鈥檚 as stepping through the doors pales into insignificance compared to what you鈥檝e already gone through."

Finding positivity and focusing on living

Ken tells us more: 鈥淚n the beginning, when someone is given a cancer diagnosis, everyone thinks the worst. You鈥檙e thinking, 鈥業s this the end?鈥 and 鈥楬ow long have we got?鈥

Coming to Maggie鈥檚 has helped us to understand Ian鈥檚 cancer and treatment better and to get on with our lives.

鈥淲e have good days and we have bad days when there are lots of tears.

鈥淲e have a friend who has also been through this. It sounds very harsh, but she would say to her partner, 鈥業f you鈥檙e not going to die today, then let鈥檚 get on with our lives.鈥 And I now often say this to Ian. He can be a bit of a pessimist and I often try to flip the situation around.

鈥淚n the last nine months, we have been on three cruises and we鈥檝e recently moved house.

鈥淢aggie鈥檚 has helped us to live with cancer and to try put it to one side and get on with our lives.鈥



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