Despite his illness, Iain never stops smiling

Iain Batten, 49, one of the founders of the African Survivor Foundation (ASF) and a testicular cancer survivor is no stranger to pain.

Besides his cancer ordeal, Batten explained to the Herald he has been living with Multiple Sclerosis for the last three years as well.

In 2003 he was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer and since then he has gone through days and hours of intense pain, even waking up in hospital turning grey from all the pain. In 2009 he got the news that there were lumps found on both sides of his lungs.

After that he started receiving ‘Red Devil’ chemotherapy that included 15 sessions of chemo. Batten has been in remission since 2014.

But three years ago, Batten started getting severe pins en needles in his hands, followed by some dizzy spells. His speech also started slurring at times and he got severe muscle pain. His left side of his body mostly was effected and it caused him to walk with a limp at times. He then got the news that he had Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibres and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body. Eventually, the disease can cause the nerves themselves to deteriorate or become permanently damaged.

Batten says he thinks he got the MS due to the intense radiation he received for cancer. He added there are various degrees of MS, one of the worst would be that which Stephen Hawking has. Joost van der Westhuizen’s illness also comes from the same family as MS. There is no cure for MS, only supplements to help the body and injections to ease the muscle movement. Batten has received none of these, due to financial constraints and lack of transport.

“Luckily, I have an extremely high pain threshold.

I live with intense pain 24/7,” Batten said.

But he does not let the constant pain rule his life. He is positive, chatty and smiles all the time. He says that his love and faith in God pulls him through time and time again,and that he beat cancer, so he can beat MS. He also feels for his family, who has stood by him, but also has suffered through the cancer, and now, MS ordeal.

Batten is extremely passionate about the ASF Foundation and with Gert de Beer, also a founder of ASF, they work hard at educating the community on testicular cancer.

Batten is also a motivational speaker.

I came into this world a fighter, lived with being dyslexic and beat cancer. I can beat MS.

“I do not listen to the doctor’s saying I will be in a wheel chair in three to five years.”

When asked if he sometimes wondered why all these things happen to him, he smiles and answers, “Why not me ?”

If anybody wants to help Batten with donations or possible supplements, please contact the Herald at 011 693 3671.

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Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.

Also read:

Cancer – Lighting the candle of hope

Cancer awareness at Avante Primary

‘It was like a death sentence’ – testicular cancer survivor

Cancer awareness at W’aria Primary

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