I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about
Know exactly what you want?
Show search

Notification

Error


I am a reluctant newby here

User
Posted 25 Feb 2015 at 10:20
Hi Kev

Sounds like you are tolerating the chemo really well so far. I can't advise you on the rise in your PSA as Mick's PSA was all over the place through chemo and he was far from a typical case fullstop. I do remember reading a lot of reports about PSA bounce in particular in relation to starting out on Bicultamide. I hope Si, Roy, Rob, Lyn or one of the other regular experieced posters will come on and comment. Have you tried texting Si for a chat?

I am sorry I am not able to offer sage advice but I just want you to know I am thinking of you and wishing you well.

xx

Mo

Kev I just checked back on my journal notes as I had something at the back of my mind. I had recorded this.. chemo 3 due and Mick's PSA has risen which has worried us both, especially as Mick is feeling so much better, however we were assured that this is quite common during the early stages of chemo as the cancer is doing everything it can to fight back against the chemo drugs ...

hope this helps a tiny bit

Edited by member 25 Feb 2015 at 10:37  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 20 Mar 2015 at 20:24
Hi all, I thought I would post this link to show you how I am raising the profile of PC tomorrow. http://mobile.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/article/kevin-defies-the-odds-2349025.aspx

Dream like you have forever, live like you only have today Avatar is me doing the 600 mile Camino de Santiago May 2019

User
Posted 20 Mar 2015 at 20:53

Brilliant Kev, you are an inspiration mate.

Im sure you will get to that finish line. Donated and shared on Facebook

Today is a good day mate

Bri

User
Posted 20 Mar 2015 at 21:02
Hi Kevin,

That's really good. Fantastic publicity for the cause. I'm sure you will raise more money in sponsorship for the marathon. I envy you being able to complete. My plans to run the Reading Half Marathon on Sunday had to be shelved months ago when I had the heart attack. My cardiac consultant told me I wouldn't be able to run it and he was right, not fit enough. He said he might agree to me doing it next, providing treatment goes well.

Anyway, have a great day tomorrow and I hope your team wins.

Steve.

User
Posted 20 Mar 2015 at 21:16

Good man Kevlaa,

you were floating around on twitter earlier tonight as well, posted up by the PCUK feed.

All the best

Kevin

User
Posted 20 Mar 2015 at 21:22

Well done Kev, Proud of you mate

Si

Don't deny the diagnosis; try to defy the verdict
User
Posted 20 Mar 2015 at 22:00
Well done and good luck in the Marathon!

Best wishes,

Trish

User
Posted 20 Mar 2015 at 22:43

OMG another super hero, now I see what the running is all about. You see for me it's a bit difficult to get my head around running as I have only done this twice in my life, once was for the 5c Bus along the London rd (heading into Southend)http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-kiss.gif the other time was when I nearly missed the 5c back in the opposite direction. http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-kiss.gif

What I am saying is if you are running for a purpose IE you might miss your Bus then I get it, but running for the sake of running this really doesn't make sense to me.http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-kiss.gif.

I am only joking (not about running for Buses that bit is real ) but WELL DONE YOU. all I can say is , we need runners like you in life the £13000 raised also struck a chord as this was Trevor's starting psa.

So as long as you feel well enough KEEP RUNNING.

BFN

Julie X

 

NEVER LAUGH AT A LIVE DRAGON
User
Posted 20 Mar 2015 at 22:49
Well done Kev you are an inspiration to us all,keep it up.

Roy

User
Posted 21 Mar 2015 at 08:21

Hi Kev,
Hope it all goes really well today, and you have a great day! Thanks for posting the link so we can all see the amazing things that are being done to raise the profile of PCa.
Well done for making a difference,
Miss x

User
Posted 21 Mar 2015 at 09:27

Kevin, it is a great article and the thing that struck me most was that you have a proper best mate and clearly think the world of each other. But I am going to be a bit of a party pooper - with an HR hat on, I wonder did you speak to work about going to matches and completing a marathon while signed off sick? In some companies, this article would be a huge flag to gross misconduct - I hope that your company are supportive?

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 21 Mar 2015 at 09:41

brilliant Kev

another superhero you rock i hope you have a fantastic day. i know you are careful not to push yourself too hard.

xx

mo 

 

 

User
Posted 21 Mar 2015 at 11:14

I think if kev did a manual job some questions may be asked but maybe not.....but he doesn't.

We all know that cancer effects us all individually and we all cope and deal with it individually. It is clear that one of Kev's strategies is running....He even admits himself he may not be well enough when it comes to the day but it's also obvious he is going to do his upmost to do this.

As a manager I would certainly not have any issues with this as it's not just our physical well-being that has to be considered

Bri

User
Posted 21 Mar 2015 at 11:46

Yes Bri but you work in a culture of wellbeing - I think banking may be a different kettle of fish. All I was saying to Kev was had he had that conversation with his employer to avoid getting a stage 1 letter from HR! I worked in local authority, like you, and this would have triggered a disciplinary investigation without a shadow of a doubt, although you would hope the outcome of the investigation would be in the employee's favour.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 21 Mar 2015 at 12:44

I understand where you are coming from Lyn and if someone was off with an undiagnosed condition for example, I won't give an example or I risk putting my foot in it...then I would question it. But an employee going through chemo for an aggressive cancer I'm not so sure.

But I concede I may be naive regarding other institutions procedures

Bri

User
Posted 21 Mar 2015 at 12:54

I really hope my comment hasn't come across as critical of Kev .... it wasn't meant to be. I just suddenly foresaw a potential problem and wanted to be helpful.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 21 Mar 2015 at 13:30

No I don't think it did Lyn.
I was just throwing my twopenneth in :)

Anyway, on with the rugby

Bri

User
Posted 21 Mar 2015 at 15:54

You are amazing Kevin and hope all goes well.  Will donate to your page tho you wont recognise the name.http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif El

User
Posted 22 Mar 2015 at 05:50
Thanks to everyone for their support. Yesterday was a good day with lots of bucket collections going on at the match and the profile of this disease was definitely raised.

To answer Lyn, work are aware about what I am doing, everyone is supportive. Another guy in my team had PC last year G7 and had his removed, took a year out. For me I think that despite my bravado they know that it is very hard and at this moment it is not so much about the physical side of stuff (although it's there in some form most days) but it's the mental side of my prognosis that is more disabilitating. The running is just about the only thing that distracts me from that and makes me think normal. I wake up 5+ times every night, have not slept more than 4 hours non stop since October and am very absent minded at random times during every day. After any kind of sustained effort eg running, going to the shops, sitting to watch football etc I need to do nothing for a couple of hours to recharge. My journey to work is over an hour of trains and tubes then the meetings are more trains/ tubes to client sites so I could not suddenly duck out in the middle if I needed to as am often 3 hours from home, I would not make it back home in one piece. Work is also a haven of grabbing fast food or no food in between stuff which again would have negative outcomes for my overall ability to cope with treatment. Add to all that lot that I spent 3 days at hospital last week, 2 in the coming week etc then my usefulness would be questionable.

I think if I was at work I would be far less healthy and as such be off sick however I do get how some may feel who are not aware. Fortunately I have worked for the same employer for 33 years, been a top performer, am relatively senior, know my direct line managers almost to the top who are all male, older than me and who no doubt are just thankful it is me not them who has this bugger of a disease.

Once I have run the marathon I sense that my body may slow a little bit as the constant semi adrenalin and focus is definitely helping me right now( although it's possible that I will be given a last minute place in the London marathon 2 weeks later if I can handle it!).

I guess I am lucky re my employer is the bottom line as Lyn I think would be spot on for many so a good point for everyone in my situation to consider before being too extrovert about what they are doing.

Kev

Dream like you have forever, live like you only have today Avatar is me doing the 600 mile Camino de Santiago May 2019

User
Posted 22 Mar 2015 at 08:09
Hi Kevin,

Well done for yesterday, you've helped all of us by your efforts. I think your employer would be proud to have you within their organisation for the determination and strength of character you have shown in fighting this disease. You are a very good advert for the quality of employee they employ. It nice that they acknowledge this.

I'm feeling rather sick because the Reading Half Marathon takes place today. Feel as if I'm missing the party. Still, I'm going to enter a couple of shorter distance races a soon as I'm able.

I'm probably not going to be posting much until I sort certain things out. I've got a feeling that my internet has just been cut off, maybe the phone too and I don't want to use the data limit on my mobile too much because I've already gone over my limit while in hospital. I plan to return to work next weekend and I've just been told that my benefits will stop straight away, it's just the Department of Work & Pensions way of helping you out: to live with no money for a month or so after being on very limited benefits for four months. We've decided to put the house up for sale this week.

Kevin, keep up the fight, you're showing all the way to battle this horrible disease.

Hope to see you in June?

Steve

Edited by member 22 Mar 2015 at 16:15  | Reason: Not specified

 
Forum Jump  
©2025 Prostate Cancer UK