Ref. 26562-21CANCER sufferer the Rev Simon Stevenette has revealed his wife Nicola is expecting their fifth child at Easter.

The couple already have four young sons, but the news is an enormous boost to the 41-year-old vicar of Christ Church in Old Town and Swindon Town Football Chaplain, who is battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He has just finished a gruelling six-month chemotherapy programme.

And the fact the birth is due around Easter, which for Christians is a time of new life and an end to suffering, is particularly poignant.

A scan next week will reveal how much progress has been made since his chemotherapy started.

He is also getting used to the idea he is to be a father again.

He said: "It's an incredible thought. When Nicola told me I was gobsmacked and I couldn't help feeling an overwhelming sense there is a purpose in all of this I am fighting cancer and she is growing a life it's an awesome thought and an incentive to get better.

"Having this illness has given me a new appreciation of life. It's almost as if I am in limbo at the moment, having got through the six-month chemotherapy and waiting for the scan.

"It feels like a horrible flu and I have feelings of terrible lethargy, but I have to listen to my body. I could almost skip up to the hospital to have chemotherapy, but had to be carried out.

"I am carrying on working and although I put far less in, I work at a greater level and am encouraged by my progress. Many cancer sufferers now have a very encouraging prognosis although I can't say how mine is long-term."

The scan will show exactly the progress that has been made since he was diagnosed in August last year, but already the signs are good.

Before the end of his treatment a specialist at the Great Western Hospital's Osprey Unit said his tumour had reduced from the size of a melon to that of an orange.

The hardest thing for Mr Stevenette, who has put on weight since his treatment, has been his limited participation in sport with Nicola, 39, Thomas, 12, Robert, 10, Edward, eight and William, five-and-a-half.

But incredibly he has set himself a target of being fit enough to participate in the Swindon Half Marathon later this year.

He has drawn great comfort from the fact people from Swindon and beyond have taken the time to confide in him about similar illnesses. Since his diagnosis hundreds of people many he has not even met have emailed or called him.

Tuesday, January 13 was Mr Stevenette's last session of chemotherapy. And depending on the results of next week's scan it could have been his last although he is well aware he may have to endure another round and possibly radiotherapy.

He said: "People hear my good news, but there are still many suffering from terminal illnesses. I feel human because I can make plans, but on the other hand I can only take one day at a time.

"I feel optimistic about the scan because things have gone to schedule, but it still feels a bit like taking an exam."

As a result of his chemotherapy sessions Mr Stevenette and other patients have set up a support group for haematology patients, which is held fortnightly on Mondays from 10.30am at the Osprey Unit at the GWH.

He has urged anyone who would like a confidential chat to contact him on 01793 522832 or via email at simon@stevenette.freeserve.co.uk

gsheldrick@newswilts.co.uk