Author profile of - John Walker Pattison on Lit Linc

John Walker Pattison was born in the wonderful seaside town of South Shields 67 years ago. He has been a dedicated Newcastle United supporter since 1969 when he took his steps through the clackerty clack of the turnstiles at St James Park; however, there is little doubt that the crucial hinge in John’s life is his beautiful wife, June. “Nothing is more important than family,” says John.

He retired from his post as a senior clinical nurse specialist and head of service in haematology at his local hospital, partially due to chronic illnesses as a consequence of the salubrious chemotherapy and radiotherapy he received decades ago - this being the same hospital that established his cancer diagnosis almost 50 years earlier. At the time, his parents were told that he would not survive, yet here he is today, humbled to be one of the longest-living cancer survivors in the UK.

He has written dozens of articles for national and international nursing and medical press - and presented lectures the length and breadth of the country on many aspects of haematology and cancer management. He is honoured to have won numerous awards both locally and nationally for his work in haematology. However, Pattison knows that being one of the longest cancer survivors is his greatest achievement.

John Walker Pattison recently completed his memoirs, ‘Me, and My Shadow – memoirs of a cancer survivor’ which was published on 31st October 2022.

In addition, following the completion of his memoirs and in retirement he is now focusing on children’s fiction. John declares, “I have always been an elasticated Grandpa – relaying exaggerated stories to my grandchildren for many years.” These unbelievable tales are now the basis of his children’s books.

In 2021, his inaugural title, ‘Strange Trips and Weird Adventures’ was published, as part of a series of adventures of Daniel and Papa. ‘Blenkinsop Blabbermouth and the Ghost of Broderick McCaffery,’ was published on 16th December 2022, ‘The Fastest Water Pistol in Splodge City’ has a target publication date of March 2024 and the fourth title, ‘The Kingdom of Huckleberry Jam,’ is likely to be summer 2024. Meanwhile, Lunar von Buella the Mystical Mouse from Missoula is aimed to be published by Christmas, 2024. Mind Boggling Stories and Percival Pigeonforge are projects for 2025.

Pattison enjoys the solitude and escapism of fly-fishing and photographing Native Americans. More significantly, he found solace throughout his cancer journey in the history and spirituality of the Lakota Sioux Nation. In 2018, he would spend time on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation with the indigenous people of South Dakota, the people who, unknowingly, supported him through his, and life's greatest challenge, cancer.

t: 07931 319147

e: john@johnwpattison.co.uk

The Legacy of Cancer.

Growing up in South Shields, England, a small seaside town on the North East coast, I have lived with the legacy of cancer for almost half a century, and I remain humbled to be one of the UK’s longest cancer survivors. Still, many would argue that is a negative life experience – but, for me, and ironically, it has made me who I am today. Lucky or fortunate, privileged or destined to be a survivor?

As a consequence of the salubrious treatment I received in the seventies, I now reap the consequences of ill health, (leading to my retirement in 2021), which included another cancer diagnosis in 2019, and which sadly reoccurred again in October 2023, leading to further treatment. Therefore, inspiration is so important, whether that be during illness, or indeed, any kind of life adversity. When my mortality was confronted, music namely space rock legends Hawkwind and the Lakota Sioux Nation, were my inspirations. However, as chronic illness reared its ugly head once again, it was the music of Lukas Nelson (son of the legendary country icon Willie Nelson) and Promise of the Real (his band) that inspired me and drove my optimism forward. Music which is entirely different from what I had previously listened to. A unique and eclectic blend of rock, folk, and country music.

"Remember, life is not a rehearsal – do not allow yourself to be a prisoner of the past; that was just a life lesson, not a life sentence. Never look back on your life unless you are prepared to smile and be reflective, and never look forward unless you can dream—we all need dreams, and we all need hope."

Since the age of seventeen, I have only been out of work once since leaving school, which was for ten months during the diagnosis and treatment of my four-year-old daughter Donna, with terminal leukaemia (a legitimate excuse I am sure you will agree). My working career began as a welder in a local Shipyard before the spectre of cancer gripped my life in a deathly stranglehold, refusing to let go. Then after Donna’s illness, I retrained as a nurse (working exclusively in cancer services), ending my career at South Tyneside NHS Trust as a senior clinical nurse specialist, the same hospital that made my diagnosis almost fifty years earlier. Now that is one hell of a twist of fate!

Today, in retirement, I have turned my focus to a passion for storytelling - writing children’s fiction. Fortunately, I am now being recognised as a serious children’s fiction book author – and I am loving it.

So, after years of taking my grandchildren on weird and wonderful imaginary adventures, and elasticated journeys from landing on the Moon to saving the King of England, I decided to use the retirement process to share my tales with the world’s children.

Currently, I have just about completed my sixth title, ‘Mind-Boggling Stories,’ and although my third, fourth and fifth titles are still to be released, these should hit the shelves in Summer 2024. More significantly, I have lots more ideas for 2025.

All of that said, I am so proud of my memoirs, ‘Me and My Shadow – memoirs of a Cancer Survivor,’ as it has given inspiration to so many, and hopefully, will continue to do so. As a consequence, I continue to travel around the North of England on a quest for inspirational speaking engagements that deliver to the audience hope and inspiration, and to me, a catharsis.

John Walker Pattison

How did you become an author and get published? Share your experience.
I completely wasted my school years, leaving with a handful of worthless qualifications. The ONLY job I could secure was that of a welder in a local shipyard. However, at the tender age of eighteen, cancer gripped my feeble figure in a deathly stranglehold and refused to let go. Eventually, after years of failed treatments, I was moved into the comfort of the drawing office and away from the toxic fumes of welding. Sadly, eight years after my unexpected recovery, my four-year-old daughter was diagnosed with terminal leukaemia, leading me to review where I was in life. I left the shipyards to spend time with my daughter who went into a spontaneous remission, going on to become an internationa...
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John Walker Pattison

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The Legacy of Cancer.

John Walker Pattison