Press release posted 21 April 2026
A dad who once ran the London Marathon, completed several 10k runs, and cycled 50 to 100 miles a week has described how cancer treatment left him unable to walk. Thanks to specialist care at The Christie in Manchester, he has rebuilt his life.
David Macartney, 51, from Hazel Grove, Stockport, was diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma in early 2022 after noticing a small lump under his armpit while getting changed after doing water sports.
“I didn’t think anything of it at first,” said David, an area manager with Topps Tiles. “But when I mentioned it to my GP a couple of weeks later, I could see from his face that something wasn’t right. Being put on a cancer pathway was a huge shock - and the eight weeks waiting for a diagnosis felt like forever.
“When I was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, I was terrified. There’s no way around that. Hearing a life-threatening diagnosis forces you to face things you normally push away. I had real fear; the fear of dying, fear of leaving my family behind, and fear of what the treatment might do to me.
“At the start, my instinct was to fight physically. I cycled to chemo when I could and walked as much as my body allowed. Movement gave me a sense of control when everything else felt out of my hands. It reminded me I was still me.”
David began intensive chemotherapy at The Christie and joined a clinical trial. While the treatment successfully put his cancer into remission, the powerful medication had devastating side effects.
“I’d always been fit, running several 10ks, the London Marathon once, cycling, hiking in the Peak District and Snowdonia, and occasional kayaking,” he said. “Then suddenly I was in a hospital bed for six weeks, in agony, on morphine, unable to move the bottom half of my body."
“Cancer broke my back in 11 places. I went from being active to being unable to move, lying in an electric bed, dependent on others. That was one of the hardest parts, not just the pain, but the mental shift to learning to accept help.”
David believes that steroid medication weakened his spine, leading to eleven fractures in his back. At his lowest point, David needed two crutches just to move short distances.
I’d gone from being an active dad to feeling like everything had been taken away. The pain was awful, and the impact on my mental health was just as bad.”
David was referred to the supportive oncology team at The Christie, led by Professor Richard Berman, which focuses on helping patients manage symptoms, recover function, and improve quality of life alongside cancer treatment.
Thanks to tailored pain management and physiotherapy at The Christie, David slowly rebuilt strength and confidence.
“The pain hasn’t gone away, but I no longer rely on medication every day,” he said. “The team helped me understand my body and how to use it differently. That’s given me back some independence.
“The Christie didn’t just treat the cancer, they treated me. The aftercare and mental health support mattered.
“My physio, Nic, was incredible. She was endlessly patient and listened, not just to my physical limits but to how everything was affecting my mental health. The team were outstanding; they helped break a pain cycle I’d faced for a long time and taught me to manage it properly through movement, exercise, and understanding my body again. That support made a dramatic difference.”
Last November, nearly a year after finishing treatment, David achieved something he once thought was impossible.
“I managed to walk up Snowdon. Slowly and carefully, but I did it,” he said. “I’ve even kayaked a couple of times again. Now I hike when I can, and getting back on my bike is my 2026 goal. Life isn’t what it was before cancer, but it’s much better than where I was.”
“The biggest thing for me is that I feel I’m still able to be a supportive husband to Lisa, and be an active dad to Charlotte, Ollie, and Beau, as well as continuing to work full time with support.
“My family and friends carried me - wife Lisa, my 3 children Charlotte, Ollie and Beau, my brother and sister, my friend Hendo, but above all, Lisa - she held everything together when I couldn’t. She never stopped. And at times like this, you just need your mum, and I was so fortunate that she was there when I needed her.
“Also, Presley, my dog, has been my lifeline. Walking him, even on bad days, gave me a reason to keep going. Walking him became therapy in its purest form.
“There were times I felt I’d lost everything. Watching friends line up for a 10k when I couldn’t join was heartbreaking. But The Christie team helped me shift my perspective and see myself as more than just a cancer patient.”
David continues ongoing monitoring after a suspected relapse scare last year and says follow-up care is crucial.
“I responded well to chemo and went into remission, but ongoing support matters so much.”
He says the care at The Christie felt different from that at any other hospital. "You’re treated as a person, not just a patient. Staff go above and beyond, so you feel listened to, valued, and cared for."
“I also learned something important through all of this: learning to say no. Blocking out the noise. Facing facts rather than fear. Protecting my energy became part of my recovery.
“I don’t feel angry about what happened. Cancer changed my life, but it also taught me how to live more honestly and deliberately. Fear doesn’t disappear, but you learn how to live alongside it.
“I can’t thank Professor Berman and his team enough. He has such a calm, reassuring way about him. He grounds you and gives you confidence that life can still move forward. I’m just grateful to still be here and getting on with my life.”
Professor Richard Berman, consultant in supportive oncology at The Christie, added: “David’s story shows that surviving cancer is not just about treating the disease, but about helping people live well during and after treatment. Supportive oncology focuses on pain management, physical rehabilitation, and psychological well-being to help patients regain independence and quality of life. With the right support, many people are empowered not only to survive, but to live fulfilling lives beyond cancer.”
David also plans to run the Great Manchester Run 10k for The Christie Charity in May.