Southwark dad opens up over son’s cancer diagnosis at just three months

A father-of-three has spoken about the ordeal he faced when his youngest son was diagnosed with cancer at just three-months-old.

Didier Zahui, from Southwark, had never opened up about his emotions, but found coping with the trauma very tough – until he met other dads in the same situation.

As well as the devastation, there were the practical problems of losing his income as a taxi driver to deal with – which the couple did thanks to the support of charity CLIC Sargent.

Didier said: “When the doctor told us ‘it’s cancer’ my wife immediately started to cry.

“As a man I’ve always been told to keep my emotions in and not show any ‘weakness’.  I felt I had to protect my family.

“Today is the first time I’ve told anyone how I’m really feeling.

“You don’t ever expect this to happen to you, you’re stressed, you’re panicked and you don’t know what to do.

“My wife was working, I was working, so we had two salaries at the same time so then both salaries stopped, so you can’t afford your rent, you can’t afford your insurance or food – that was very hard.”

They were transferred to Great Ormond Street when they heard about CLIC Sargent, which provided help getting a sick note and a grant for Didier’s family.

Didier said: ‘If they weren’t there I don’t know how I’d have got money.

“You need help but you don’t know where to go and you think who is going to support you?

The way they come to you and say they want to help you is the best thing, to give you more power and give you strength.  You think ‘wow there’s somebody who cares about me’.”

Didier, took part in a video call support group for dads set up by Tim Sadler, in partnership with CLIC Sargent.

He said: “When I realised I wasn’t alone like I did before in that situation that helped me a bit to have more power to know there are other men in that situation like me.

“When I heard the story of each of us I thought let’s take their experiences and put it on myself.

“It was inspirational. Now that I’m back at work and Yohan’s treatment is finished, I can see a light at the end of this horrible tunnel and it’s been great speaking to the other dads and hearing how they all coped.”

It took them two weeks from their first visit to the GP to diagnosis.

Yohan’s initial symptoms were a distended stomach, which was causing him pain and distress.  Only a third scan showed he had cancer.

Didier and his family have been supported throughout their son’s treatment by a CLIC Sargent social worker who has helped them navigate a benefit system and look into other types of financial help.

Laura Gallagher, their CLIC Sargent social worker, said: “It has been a privilege to support Didier and his family and help minimise the impact of cancer, which turned their lives upside down.”

Jeff Brazier, Celebrity MasterChef contestant, and partner of late Big Brother contestant from Bermondsey, Jade Goody, also joined Didier on the virtual call in his role as Ambassador for the People’s Postcode Lottery.

Players of the lottery have raised more than £9.7 million for CLIC Sargent since 2016.

Learn more about CLIC Sargent here.

Pictured top: Didier Zahui with son, Yohan