When Jim Lyon went to the dentist with toothache, he could never have expected the news that followed.
As the dentist prepared to take out the tooth, he spotted something on Mr Lyon’s x-ray and suggested he get it checked out with the doctor immediately.
Doctors then broke the news that the retired architect had an aggressive form of cancer that was attacking his jaw.
It was about that time that Mr Lyon came across Friends of Anchor, and quickly discovered the support it offers to cancer and haematology patients from across Grampian and the islands.
And although he battled back to full health in 2008, the 77-year-old has since had another two scares.
Now Mr Lyon is preparing to thank Friends of Anchor for their support by taking part in their popular Brave fashion show, an all-male event being held at the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen next month.
Mr Lyon is eagerly looking forward to strutting his stuff on the runway, and has been working hard with the other 23 men taking part in the event, who have all experienced cancer, to make sure it’s a day to remember.
He said he is proud to be part of Brave as it will provide him with a way to give back to the Friends of Anchor charity, which helped him through his cancer journey.
Mr Lyon said: “I first became aware of the Friends of Anchor during my first brush with cancer in 2008.
“At first, I thought I had a toothache, but when the dentist took the tooth out he saw something strange on the X-Ray, and told me to go have it looked at.
“I had a biopsy, and I was told I had High Grade non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
“I thought, what the heck is that, and I was told it was a very aggressive form of cancer that was eating my jawbone.
“I felt like I had fallen to the bottom of a pit – but the support you get round about you is amazing, everyone really did rally round.”
Mr Lyon added: “While I was having my chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments, I experienced the extra care and attention that the Friends of Anchor provides to cancer sufferers, and I’ve been a supporter of their great work ever since.
“After my experience in 2008, I didn’t expect to have close personal contact with the Friends of Anchor again, but in 2016 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer – followed by bladder cancer in 2017.
“So through the many hospital appointments, chemo treatments and ultimately major surgeries, I came to understand that all of the little extras that made these treatments remotely tolerable were provided by Anchor, like the comfortable reclining chairs in the chemo ward, and the expensive medical equipment Friends of Anchor helps to purchase.
“Raising funds for this charity is the least I could do to help existing and future cancer sufferers through what is a life-changing experience.
“I would also like to highlight the enormous support I’ve received from my wife Sheila, who has been a tower of strength for me, and of course my family and friends, and especially my church family at Westhill Community Church, in the unending fight against this terrible disease.”
Mr Lyon, who worked for three difference practices in Aberdeen before starting his own in 1976 and eventually taking an early retirement in 1996, said being part of Brave will be one of his proudest moments.
He said: “I was very honoured to be asked to take part in Brave.
“I saw it advertised, and read a great deal about last year’s event, so I decided to apply, and I was very lucky to be selected – and so far it’s been a great adventure with the rest of the boys.
“We’ve had two rehearsals so far, and it’s just been fantastic, I can’t wait for the big day.”