Two Years and counting - here's to 2017

Last time I wrote I was about to get the results of my latest blood test having survived the two year prognosis milestone since diagnosis in November 2014.  I am delighted to say that the test was good and my “score” continues to fall slowly. This is important as it means when the current drugs fail, the lower my score the longer it will take the Cancer to get up to critical levels so more time to run! Next test is early Jan so I will be able to enjoy Xmas and New Year too .

I have been quite busy chasing around the country for the last few weeks presenting “my story” to around 500 people to hopefully raise awareness of the signs of prostate cancer and encourage everyone to live a bit more for the day. These presentations have been to RBS, rotary and business managers meetings, I have a few more in the pipeline too which I am looking forward to. So many people have come up to me or emailed me since with words of support which is wonderful although many have shared their own sadness from their own lives, very humbling for me and has made me feel so lucky of what I have to enjoy now.

Yesterday I completed the first race of my 1,000 mile challenge for the next 12 months, only 30 miles (well 31 as I got lost once) but it’s a start.  The weather was lovely for this time of year as there was no rain. The route was through the beautiful countryside of Kent including passing one of Henry viii many hunting lodges, stunning. I met some inspirationally lovely people as ever on such events including Megan and Perry fellow competitors from the MDS this year and Andy who sacrificed some of his speed to stay with me and keep me going when my hip became quite sore and painful even with cocodamol so I ended up walking much of the race. Yes I would rather run but to just be there is enough.  Meeting people like Andy makes me realise how cruel the world can be as he sadly lost his wife to cancer 8 years ago. It showed me first hand the impact on those close to someone who has cancer and will make me more determined to make those around me suffer as little as possible from my situation, how he has positively handled life makes him an inspirational man, I am so grateful that he shared such a sad and tragic part of his life.

As ever the charity have been so supportive and I have done a few things with them too with a few irons in the fire for the future. The best news for me is that with your support I have now raised over £50,000 for them since I was diagnosed, that is a huge amount of money and I know that they are so grateful for every pound that people have been so generous with. As you would expect I want to keep that  going but for today am so proud of what people have helped me achieve, that is a lot of research that they can undertake from that generosity.

I have 6 weeks until the next race which is 45 miles  so I guess I will need to rest that hip and probably see a physio to help me recover. The challenge here is that I also need to do some training as I am not fit enough at the moment for that distance as there is an eleven hour time limit, fine when I am not injured but at the moment……….

I know I am not really an athlete but I do start to understand how frustrating it must be for a pro sportsperson when they are injured as the desire to train is massive and the will power required to rest is equally huge. As time is not on my side my will power is small when it comes to not running so we will see how long I last with my feet up (not very I am guessing)!

The last few weeks again have reminded me how thankful for every day that I am able to enjoy life, I hope that you all find time to do that too.

So that’s all for now, my next update will be in the New Year (unless something extraordinary happens) so I take this very early opportunity to wish everyone a peaceful and happy year end and being this early you all have the time to think of a significant resolution for January 1st that will hopefully improve yours and others lives (that said why wait a month, do it now!!).

Take care
Kevin