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Our Trust
‘You’re simply the best,’ says cancer patient
Hospital radio saved my life Radio Harrow presenter David Stone says going on air literally saved his life.
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patient has praised the speed and professionalism of St Mark’s Hospital saying it was reassuring to discover one of the world’s leading exponents of bowel cancer surgery was on his doorstep. Alan Kleinman had Alan Kleinman never heard of St Mark’s before he was diagnosed with rectal cancer in the summer but said he couldn’t have wished for better surgical care.
They made me feel “ like part of the family and
“I knew I’d be OK as soon as I met the team,” said the 71 year-old surveyor whose first inkling something was passing blood with his stools on holiday. “I have always been a practical person so it was reassuring to see the same calm, can-do attitude from the medical team. I try to address personal challenges face on and if possible not allow emotions to cloud my thinking”. Alan was surprised just how fast things moved when he went to see his GP. An initial examination was followed by a referral to St Mark’s within a week for an internal examination where Alan was told he had a tumour. CT and MRI scans followed in quick succession and he met with a doctor to discuss surgery but decided to delay the operation. The four hour procedure to remove the infected section of intestine and attach a temporary stoma bag was followed less than two months later by a ‘reversal’ when the bag was removed and the two ends of the intestine re-joined internally. One of the biggest challenges has been Alan’s own impatience with himself. Alan said: “There have been a few small blips in my recovery but my condition has steadily improved and I’m back to feeling like my old self. I’m a naturally energetic person so my wife has had to rein me in at times. “I have lost two stone but think a lot of that had to do with simply not having much of an appetite after the initial procedure. I’m slowly putting the weight back “I’m not easily moved but when the consultant finally gave me the all clear I was totally overwhelmed, burst into floods of tears and hugged him. “My aim is to now get involved in some voluntary capacity with St Mark’s and offer personal input to inform and support patients who are going through a similar experience.”
aren’t afraid to innovate and try different things
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Tuning in: David Stone
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he 29 year-old, who recently won Newcomer of Year at the Hospital Broadcasting Association Awards, has struggled with mental health since his teens. David said: “I began suffering from anxiety and panic attacks when I was young and it got progressively worse to a point where I was housebound for several months.” It was during this period that friends suggested Dave apply for a two week course in radio production. He’d always had an interest in performing having worked as a children’s entertainer under the moniker Dazzler David and, later, at Lego Land. “Things couldn’t have got any worse for me at that stage and radio seemed the perfect way to express myself. Something just clicked and I knew this is what I wanted to do.” David began work experience on various hospital radio shows before choosing Radio Harrow saying he was attracted by the mix of people and energy. “They made me feel like part of the family and aren’t afraid to innovate and try different things out.”
Radio Harrow broadcast from the basement of Northwick Park Hospital and focuses on the health and wellbeing of the local community.
The show’s mix of guests includes people talking about specific medical conditions and hobbies along with playing their favourite music.
He started out as part of a group of presenters on the Harrow Today show providing an eclectic mix of news, views and music as well as taking music requests from patients.
“I like getting people on the show with specific hobbies like trainspotting because their level of interest makes them quite eccentric. I usually trawl social media for potential interviewees and then invite them on the show.
A fortnight later he found himself co-presenting when only two people turned up at the studio. “I got thrown in the deep end but loved it. My brother and I used to mess around doing our own podcast at home so I was used to talking around subjects.” David graduated to his own chat show - This is a Show - within a few months. His first broadcast was interviewing himself about his personal experience of mental health before revealing his true identity at the end of the broadcast. David added: “I’m open about my mental health and hope it encourages other people to speak up. It’s still makes a lot of people uncomfortable but that doesn’t mean you sweep it under the carpet.”
“I’d really like to interview a stamp collector so if anyone is out there...” David’s enthusiasm for radio means has seen him pick up paid work as a producer on a sports station where he has rubbed shoulders with the likes of double Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes. “I’ve worked hard but I also feel lucky to be doing something I living. My advice to anyone out there is to just follow your dream.”
This is a Show
is broadcast every Monday night between 7-8pm. For more details, see www.radioharrow.org
