NATIONWIDE manager Paul Drummond was a picture of health until his life was turned upside down last year when he was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer.

The Dunfermline dad and husband found out that the disease had spread to his chest lymph nodes and stomach in May and underwent four rounds of chemotherapy.

Much to his delight, he was given the all-clear just before Christmas and passed on a cheque of £1,250 to the Western General – ward four, where he was treated, thanks to the fundraising efforts of his work colleagues.

The 41-year-old Pitreavie branch manager told the Press: "I came back to work full-time a few weeks ago and have a full head of hair again, so I'm feeling good!

"I keep myself quite active and go to the gym regularly but it was around this time last year when I just did not feel right.

"I told my wife that I was feeling really tired and I had a pain below so just something prompted me to go to the doctors."

Paul's GP didn't detect anything abnormal but he sent him on for an ultra-scan and a physical exam by an expert.

"The following morning, I had a phone call and alarm bells were going off straight away for me at that point," Paul continued.

"I was sent on to an oncologist and they told me they were 99 per cent sure it was testicular cancer.

"It was very quick from there and I had surgery just a few weeks later.

"I then spent most of the summer going through chemo but just before Christmas I finally got the all-clear!"

Paul was signed off work for seven-and-a-half months and becoming redundant at home quickly became one of the most challenging parts of fighting cancer after leading such an active life.

He added: "I became very rehearsed in knowing the daytime TV schedule!

"What really got me through it was people phoning me up and messaging because you miss engaging with people.

"Chemotherapy really is horrible stuff, I lost all my hair and put on a bit of weight – I just looked absolutely awful.

"My first thought when I got the diagnosis was my wee girl but I'm quite a positive person, I think it was more of a shock for my wife and daughter."

After finishing treatment in September, Paul was sent for a CT scan in October. The cancer had regressed but was not completely clear.

Just before Christmas he got the all-clear and his family celebrated with a holiday.

Paul said: "It was just an amazing feeling hearing those words.

"Just yesterday though I went for a chest x-ray and I will have to keep going for checks for the next five years.

"So, it’s still looming over your head.

"In my family we've been lucky that myself, my mum, and my brother-in-law have all survived cancer.

"Honestly, I was never someone that went to the doctors regularly but I just knew I had to go and get checked.

"It's always worth it, and my message would be for anyone just to go and get checked if you feel something is just not right."

Throughout Paul's treatment, his Nationwide colleagues have been lending a helping hand and they have raised money through a book sale and selling raffle tickets for various hampers.

"I'd like to thank all my friends and family who were amazing throughout it all and my colleagues and Nationwide members for raising the cash," Paul said.