Former Editor David's 'best possible Christmas present'

Former Oldham Chronicle Editor David Whaley, who lived out his throat cancer journey through an award-wining feature in the newspaper, has had a fantastic early Christmas present.

David has been given the five-year all clear from cancer by pioneering surgeon Professor Jarrad Homer and discharged from Manchester Royal Infirmary - completing a story that first appeared in print back in February, 2014.

When first diagnosed David, his wife Wendy and the editorial team decided to run a weekly feature telling a first-hand account to lift the lid on cancer - written under the family's 'Keep Smiling' motto.

Initially he had radiotherapy but that didn't do the trick and David faced the agonising decision of being able to eat or talk - but not both.

Then, at the 11th hour, he was introduced Professor Homer and he agreed to perform a complicated operation to remove the cancer-affected vocal cords and reconstruct David's throat.

He made an amazing recovery, now eats normally and, even though he admits he can't shout or sing, he has a husky voice.

"I have been very, very lucky and will be forever grateful to the Professor for all he has done for me.

"The sign-off was the best possible Christmas present we could have received.

"The Chronicle readers followed my journey - I still get stopped when out shopping - and it would be great to let them know that this chapter of my life has had a happy ending."

David, who received a special award for his writing from the O2 Media Awards, now mentors other patients treading a similar path.

And ironically after all her has endured, David, now 59 and living in Shaw, has set up a business as an independent celebrant delivering non-religious funerals at local crematoriums in Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside.

"The Professor and I had a good laugh that I was public speaking even though he had nicked my vocal cords," added David.

"It is rewarding - and I feel honoured being able to tell the personal stories to celebrate local peoples' lives. It is a community I have been close to for decades.

"The Professor will always be my hero and if I am a good advert and advocate for his amazing work then that's great.

"We shook hands and hugged as we left - I am going back annually so that he can see how the throat changes with time so it can help his research but that is me done."

"Keep smiling is an understatement - we are beaming!"

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