James Valentine returns to the airwaves today on ABC Radio Sydney

After taking time off for cancer treatment, James Valentine today returns to the airwaves on ABC Radio Sydney Afternoons.

Valentine broke the news to listeners in March that he had a cancerous tumour in his oesophagus.

In a self-penned article, Valentine says “I informed everyone not to worry; a surgeon was going to remove my entire oesophagus and fashion me a new one by attaching the top of my stomach to my throat.”

“I’ll be fine, I said. It’ll take a while but I’ll be back.”

“I don’t think anyone who heard that broadcast believed I was going to be fine.”

Valentine writes that it all felt very quick.

“One day I’m fine, then I’m diagnosed in December 2023, a few weeks later I’m having chemo and radiation and I’m down to have the full surgery in April.”

Valentine says he decided to spend those last few days before losing a vital organ doing the stuff he loves.

“I do some gigs on the saxophone, I have lots of time with my wife and children.”

“I was simultaneously facing and avoiding what was coming.”

Valentine reveals a friend suggested he speak to a Professor Michael Bourke at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital.

In doing so, Valentine discovered he may be able to have a less invasive procedure.

“If I qualify, if my tumour is not too advanced or widespread, he can remove the cancerous cells endoscopically — just go down my throat and cut them out — and then simply observe.”

On learning he was a suitable candidate, Valentine talks of the tough choice he was faced with.

“In the end, I decided how to deal with my gut, by listening to my gut.”

“I’d rather do something less invasive. I can deal with the risk of future cancer. I prefer that chance to the chance of morbidity.”

“What I decided to do is my decision. For many similarly afflicted, surgery will be the best and only option.”

“There’s nothing like a life-threatening disease to put everything into perspective.”

Valentine says for now, he’ll be hurling himself into life.

“And as always, I have no idea what’s coming next.”

Tim Webster – who’s been keeping the seat warm for Valentine during his absence – will be heard on other shifts at the station in the coming months, starting with weekends.

James Valentine can be heard on ABC Radio Sydney today from 12.30pm.