Nigel initially noticed numbing down his left-hand side, with his mobility slowing down.
After nearly six months of no improvement from physiotherapy, his wife Paula pushed him to get further testing, where an MRI found a huge mass on his pelvis eating into the bone.
Nigel was rushed from the Far North to Whangārei Hospital and on to Auckland City Hospital, where he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
Oncologists feared surgery could leave him wheelchair-bound, so he was instead treated with radiation, then given the same immunotherapy used to treat melanoma.
The two-year immunotherapy treatment was a success, with oncologists now unable to spot any signs of cancer.
Paula and Nigel Matthews are grateful Nigel has regained his mobility after cancer ate into one side of his pelvis.
Paula said all the clinicians involved in Nigel’s care were “absolutely fantastic”, with the oncologist making the right decision about his treatment.
“He gave my husband a second chance,” she said.
“And I’m taking it,” Nigel quickly responded.
The cancer initially left Nigel with limited mobility, relying on crutches to get around.
About six months after his cancer diagnosis, he decided to start a Kaitāia fitness class run by Candice, who encouraged Nigel to build the muscles around his pelvis.
Taking part in the weekly fitness classes, Nigel quickly progressed and while his mobility isn’t back 100%, he can now happily do a 3km walk.
Paula and Nigel Matthews, pictured in front, get physical and social benefits from their Kaitāia fitness class run by Candice Kitt.
With fishing being an important part of his lifestyle, he is also able to winch his boat by himself and pull in his big catches.
“I love my fishing, that’s why I wanted to keep my strength up,” he said.
Paula said Nigel’s progress was impressive, given the damage from the cancer.
“It had eaten away most of his left-hand pelvis … His pelvis was just hanging there by one little bone and there was a huge hole,” she said.
Even Nigel’s oncologist was blown away by the progress, with scans showing the exercise had helped improve his bone density.
Nigel credited Candice for being an inspiration.
While his fitness classes and exercises were initially funded by Pinc & Steel, the success meant he continued on after the funding ended.
Paula also joined the fitness class, initially just to support Nigel but staying on because she saw the benefits.
Nigel was now sharing his story and taking part in Dry July so other cancer patients could benefit from similar programmes.
“We’ll certainly support it – if it means fundraising or helping other people, that’s why I’m doing this.”
While Nigel admitted he enjoyed having an afternoon beer or two, he gave up drinking for two years while undergoing cancer treatment and thought giving up for a month was worth the sacrifice.
He also encouraged people – particularly men around his age – to go to the gym and start exercising, with the benefits evident even for those without cancer.
The fitness class also provided great socialisation, Nigel said.
Dry July will start on July 1, with registration free online.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.