Eleven years ago, Andrew, now 38, was successfully treated for testicular cancer. After surgery and chemotherapy, he was given the all-clear and moved on with his life, building an impressive career as a consultant anaesthetist and air ambulance doctor. Seemingly fit and healthy, in summer 2025 he was looking forward to a well-deserved holiday in Thailand. 

During the trip he began experiencing unusual neurological symptoms that rapidly progressed to severe upper limb weakness and complete paralysis from the waist down, but the last thing Andrew expected was that this could be related to his testicular cancer. However, a scan revealed the devastating truth, after over a decade his cancer had recurred as a mass in his abdomen. 

What followed was one of the most remarkable physical recoveries at The Christie Private Care, part of HCA Healthcare UK, and a story that celebrates Andrew’s formidable determination, dedication and hard work, and the life-changing difference that intensive, expert rehabilitation can make.

An unexpected diagnosis

“I was in Thailand and started to feel some unusual neurological symptoms, a kind of progressive weakness that I initially shrugged off as fatigue from the long flight. When I got back to the UK I began feeling worse and ended up being admitted to my local hospital. I had some blood tests which showed I had very low calcium levels.” 

Andrew’s calcium levels were corrected, but his weakness didn't improve. Instead, it progressed rapidly into severe upper limb weakness and complete paralysis from the waist down. But further investigations at his local hospital, including a scan revealed a large mass in Andrew’s abdomen, confirmed as a recurrence of his earlier testicular cancer.

“They thought it was lymphoma at first,” Andrew says. “They said there was no chance it could be testicular. And I thought to myself, ‘it’d be my luck that it is.’” “The news was devastating. I thought ‘I can’t move, and now I’ve got cancer’”, Andrew recalls. “It was pretty horrific, a lot to take in to be honest. I thought the testicular cancer was behind me.”

Transfer to The Christie Private Care

Following his diagnosis, Andrew chose to transfer his treatment to The Christie Private Care. On arrival, Andrew was paralysed from the waist down, with only partial movement in his arms. He was bedbound, unable to move independently, and facing the daunting prospect of intensive chemotherapy.

The clinical team believes that Andrew’s paralysis was caused by a rare autoimmune response to his cancer recurrence, that resulted in the neurological symptoms he was experiencing.

For Andrew, the contrast with his earlier care was immediate. “I knew if I was ever going to get on my feet, I needed a team of specialists who have the time to invest in me, and that’s what I found at The Christie Private Care.”

Treatment and intensive rehabilitation begins

Andrew’s care was managed by a full multidisciplinary team including neurologists, oncologists, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. But it was the physiotherapy team, led by Rachel Dean, Physiotherapy Lead at The Christie Private Care, who became the backbone of his daily recovery.

“Andrew’s case was incredibly complex”, Rachel explains. “He presented with significant neurological deterioration at the same time as an unexpected cancer diagnosis. The combination required a very unusual blend of neuro-oncology rehabilitation. We had to manage the side effects of chemotherapy, fatigue, nausea, and more, alongside neurological rehabilitation, complex pain management, and emotional support. Every single day brought a new challenge.”

The entire Christie Private Care physiotherapy team was involved in Andrew’s care during his in-patient stay. Rachel emphasises that it was a genuine team effort: “Each member brought different skills and experience. We worked as one, and we made rehabilitation our priority, not just clinically, but emotionally too, making sure Andrew felt supported at every step.”

For Andrew, physiotherapy provided something just as important as physical progress. “It gave me a positive focus to my day,” he says. “It gave me structure, goals, and activities to work towards. It was an important part of every single day, and one I really valued.”

A remarkable recovery

One month after arriving, during which he’d begun chemotherapy and worked through intensive daily rehabilitation, Andrew was strong enough to leave The Christie Private Care. His progress has been extraordinary. From complete lower-body paralysis and only partial arm movement, to now walking independently. “I can walk six miles now, I’m even back at work on the air ambulance!” Andrew says. “My legs were completely paralysed, unable to move at all. To go from that to being able to move as I can now is amazing. Without the physio and occupational therapy here, I’d probably still be using a wheelchair.”

Rachel and the team share Andrew’s pride in what he has achieved. “This story celebrates what is possible when a whole team wraps around a patient,” Rachel says. “It demonstrates the huge potential of physiotherapy, the importance of cancer rehabilitation, and the role of exercise during chemotherapy.”

Determination, humour, and looking ahead

Andrew’s recovery has not been without its ongoing challenges, but his outlook is characteristically positive. “The cancer itself is treatable,” he says. “It’s all that weakness and neurological stuff that’s been the most challenging, but we’ve made brilliant progress on that.”

What stands out most is Andrew’s spirit and determination. “Andrew and his family are really inspiring. They absolutely embraced being part of our team and worked alongside us incredibly. His formidable determination, dedication, hard work, and humour made all the difference”, says Rachel.

Andrew’s story shows what can be achieved when a group of dedicated cancer experts and a patient’s extraordinary determination come together.

Learn more about cancer treatment at The Christie Private Care