Cancer Patient's Bittersweet Christmas Tradition: Scans and Botox Injections

As of November 15th, 2025, a cancer patient with incurable bowel cancer has been undergoing a bittersweet Christmas tradition for the past decade. Four times a year, the patient visits their consultant neurologist to receive Botox injections in their neck muscles, an attempt to control dystonic tics. This appointment is often the last time the patient sees the neurologist before the holiday season.

The patient's most recent MRI scan, which should be the last of the year, marks the start of their Christmas season. These scans, which occur every 12 weeks, help the patient's medical team determine whether the tumors have spread throughout their body, potentially impacting their life expectancy. While the patient hopes the tumors have remained the same size or even disappeared, they know the latter is unlikely.

Despite the stress and uncertainty surrounding the scan results, the patient has found an unexpected joy in buying Christmas gifts for their loved ones. In the past, the patient would agonize over finding the perfect presents, believing they hadn't achieved enough in life. Now, the patient sees their mere existence as the best gift they can give, with any additional presents being a bonus.

The patient acknowledges that not every cancer patient shares their "f***-it" attitude during the holiday season, as it can be a difficult time for those comparing their current situation to their life before illness. To help support other cancer patients, the patient is leading the Daily Express's Cancer Care campaign, which aims to ensure every cancer patient has access to mental health support during and after treatment.