Nigel was rushed from the Far North to Whang\u0101rei Hospital and on to Auckland City Hospital, where he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n Oncologists feared surgery could leave him wheelchair-bound, so he was instead treated with radiation<\/a>, then given the same immunotherapy used to treat melanoma.<\/p>\n The two-year immunotherapy treatment was a success, with oncologists now unable to spot any signs of cancer.<\/p>\n Paula said all the clinicians involved in Nigel\u2019s care were \u201cabsolutely fantastic\u201d, with the oncologist making the right decision about his treatment.<\/p>\n \u201cHe gave my husband a second chance,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I\u2019m taking it,\u201d Nigel quickly responded.<\/p>\n The cancer initially left Nigel with limited mobility, relying on crutches to get around.<\/p>\n About six months after his cancer diagnosis, he decided to start a Kait\u0101ia fitness class run by Candice, who encouraged Nigel to build the muscles around his pelvis.<\/p>\n Taking part in the weekly fitness classes, Nigel quickly progressed and while his mobility isn\u2019t back 100%, he can now happily do a 3km walk.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI love my fishing, that\u2019s why I wanted to keep my strength up,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Paula said Nigel\u2019s progress was impressive, given the damage from the cancer.<\/p>\n \u201cIt 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Even Nigel\u2019s oncologist was blown away by the progress, with scans showing the exercise had helped improve his bone density.<\/p>\n Nigel credited Candice for being an inspiration.<\/p>\n While his fitness classes and exercises were initially funded by Pinc & Steel, the success meant he continued on after the funding ended.<\/p>\n Paula also joined the fitness class, initially just to support Nigel but staying on because she saw the benefits.<\/p>\n Nigel was now sharing his story and taking part in Dry July<\/a> so other cancer patients could benefit from similar programmes.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll certainly support it \u2013 if it means fundraising or helping other people, that\u2019s why I\u2019m doing this.\u201d<\/p>\n While Nigel admitted he enjoyed having an afternoon beer or two<\/a>, he gave up drinking for two years while undergoing cancer treatment and thought giving up for a month was worth the sacrifice.<\/p>\n He also encouraged people \u2013 particularly men around his age \u2013 to go to the gym and start exercising, with the benefits evident even for those without cancer.<\/p>\n The fitness class also provided great socialisation, Nigel said.<\/p>\n Dry July will start on July 1, with registration free online<\/a>.<\/p>\nPaula and Nigel Matthews are grateful Nigel has regained his mobility after cancer ate into one side of his pelvis.<\/p>\n
Paula and Nigel Matthews, pictured in front, get physical and social benefits from their Kait\u0101ia fitness class run by Candice Kitt.<\/p>\n