A woman who married cancer victim Matthew Chadwick because she admired his courage is now battling the disease herself with the same bravery.
Kristine Chadwick, 42, is inspired by the “double hard b*****d” who lived life to the full for 16 years after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Kristine, who discovered last year she had breast cancer which has spread to her bones, told the Sunday People: “Matt took the fear out of cancer.
“Seeing how he was with his diagnosis, his treatment and appointments taught me so much about the importance of a positive attitude. Matt always said he didn’t resent or regret having cancer. I channel that positivity.
“I spend quality time with people I love and celebrate the things I have in my life rather than focusing on things I don’t.
“He used to say a day in hospital was a day out, so I adopt that approach.
“Matt refused to be defined by cancer. He wanted to live while he still could and his strength and determination were an inspiration. Plus he gave the best hugs.”
When Matt and Kristine met in 2002, he had been living with cancer for five years.
He’d been diagnosed with a grade four glioblastoma brain tumour which was too dangerous to fully remove. He was initially given 14 months to live.
Kristine said: ‘He could have waited to die, but he realised he could make the most of what little time he thought he had left.
He retrained as a teacher, which led to us meeting at a school in Shropshire.”
A surgeon risked an operation to remove most of the tumour, which bought Matt some time. He had chemotherapy and was put on Tamoxifen.
Kristine says: “As he explained all this to me, I felt drawn to him.
“His condition was stable, he had as much chance as the next person of being hit by a bus, but Matt had a secret weapon.
“He knew his life would be cut short at some point, so he lived in a different way. Life is precious and he appreciated it.
“He made his friends laugh, he didn’t take himself too seriously. He loved his family and he loved being a teacher. Our life together might be short, but I knew the quality of our life would be incredible.”
The pair married in 2006. Kristine says: “We had 11 amazing years together. The tumour was dormant for a while but gradually, he started getting seizures.”
Matt died, aged 42, in 2013.
Kristine said: ‘We called him a double hard b*****d because he just kept on fighting. I miss him every moment, but I was proud of the gracious, brave way he coped with his illness.’
Kristine moved to London after the death. Working in higher education, she found a new job.
She said: “Then, it was my turn. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March last year I needed Matt more than ever. By being at his side through his cancer battle, Matt was able to help me now.”
She had chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy and is now on Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab, which she’ll stay on for as long as they’re effective.
Kristine says: “My cancer is incurable, but treatment will prolong my life. I was being pumped full of chemo when my sister suggested we book flights to Cuba. What would Matt have done? He’d have gone to Cuba!”
The trip was an apt reward for getting through treatment.
Kristine says: “Over a year on from my diagnosis, I’m back at work on reduced hours, I’m planning adventures. I am cherishing golden moments with friends and family.
“Matt showed me how to live with cancer – lessons I never imagined I’d need, but I’m walking in his footsteps now and I’m grateful to have him as my guide.”
Find out more about Breast Cancer Haven at breastcancerhaven.org.uk.
