CALVIN Innes says there are two days that he counts as the best of his life.
The first was the day his son Cohen was born. The second was the day he was considered unradioactive enough to hold his newborn baby.
The previous three weeks had, he admits, been utter torture. While taking radioiodine tablets to help combat his recently diagnosed thyroid cancer he hadn't been allowed in the same room as his infant son, in case he harmed the baby's health.
"Basically, when you take the pills you become radioactive," smiles the 29-year-old illustrator whose Roald Dahl-esque books for children have turned his Hull publishing company into a thriving business.
"That meant for three weeks I wasn't allowed near my new son. I couldn't pick him up, I couldn't feed him, play with him or change his nappy. It was awful because I was having to watch my wife Kali do all these things and I was unable to help.
"While you're on the treatment, they have to check you with a Geiger counter every day to see how radioactive you are and if you're safe to be around people.
"Not only that," says the author, showing his sense of humour has not been dented by his brush with cancer, "I thought being exposed to radiation would at least give me some superpowers. That's what happens in the comics, isn't it? But no, nothing. I can't walk up walls or turn green or anything."
In truth, not being able to hold his son was just the latest hurdle in Calvin's life, which had been turned upside-down by cancer.
With the impending birth of his first son, trying to oversee a hectic and expanding publishing empire, writing and releasing books and dealing with thyroid cancer, Calvin says the past few months have been a battle.
"It was a complete bolt from the blue to be honest," shrugs Calvin.
"I found out I had cancer two weeks before my son was due so it completely knocked me for six. All I was thinking was 'am I going to see my son grow up?' or 'am I going to see him born?'
"I'd had a lump on my neck for a couple of months before but I hadn't really thought anything about it. I felt fine.
"Then I finally went to the doctor, he said 'we'd better get it checked out' and it turned out it was cancer.
"It's hard to take in at first," says Calvin. "It's like a hammer blow. I'd never in a million years have expected it. You think that's the sort of thing that happens to other people, not you."
From the initial diagnosis it was a swift process to the operating theatre where specialists at Hull's Castle Hill Hospital new cancer facility removed Calvin's tonsils, thyroid and the lymph nodes, which the cancer had spread to.
Luckily, after the first of several operations, Calvin was able to be with Kali for the birth, dashing from Castle Hill to Hull Royal for the arrival.
Once Cohen was safely delivered on March 25, it was the continuing treatment and getting used to the stresses and strains of fatherhood while continuing to oversee his company, My Little Big Town, which proved the biggest challenge.
While going through treatment Calvin released two early learning books called The Monster Book Of Colours And Numbers, which he dedicated to his new son.
Calvin admits the past few months have also given him a whole new perspective on life.
"Before the cancer, work was everything to me, I hardly ever stopped, day or night," he admits.
"I guess if nothing else, it helped me get some perspective on what is important.
"At first we didn't really let anyone know that I'd had cancer because we didn't want anyone treating me differently. I didn't want the sympathy. I just wanted to get on with running the business and putting new books out.
"But I now appreciate life so much more," he says.
"It's a bit of cliché but it makes you realise what's important in life. For me, it's my son and wife Kali who mean everything. I love my work but they're the most important thing to me now."
But that doesn't mean the fledgling publisher is taking his foot of the accelerator when it comes to building his business.
As well as taking on new authors, launching a new imprint for adults fiction and expanding into foreign markets, he is also hoping to move to funky new offices in Hull's Fruit Market.
"We're taking on new in-office staff, as well as even more authors and illustrators, so that takes some of the strain off me," says Calvin.
"This way I can spend more time on working on other projects, new books and, most importantly, be with my family."
For more information about Calvin's publishing company and book releases, visit www.mylittlebigtown.com
