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Latest News

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3rd time on the kidney cancer rollercoaster

01 Jul 2020

This is my second blog but my third time on the ‘kidney cancer rollercoaster’. Previously I shared my experience of how I lost one kidney to cancer, only for it to return some years later in the other and explained in a video for Kidney Cancer UK how I was treated using cryoablation in 2016.

This is Mike Tunstall’s update blog, June 2020.

My follow up CT scan showed the treatment had been a success and it was agreed I’d receive annual follow up scans to monitor any possible new growths.

Moving on to December 2017 and my next follow up where I received an abdominal CT scan. Unfortunately, this revealed a tiny tumour in the uncinate process of the pancreas. It was suspected to be metastatic kidney cancer or a neuro-endocrine tumour, but further tests were needed to confirm the diagnosis.

I was promptly referred to the Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) team at the Royal Liverpool Hospital where I had several more specialised scans and biopsies to ascertain the type of tumour and to determine treatment pathway.

Several months later I was diagnosed with metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the pancreas. Kidney cancer spreading to this area is apparently very rare. The good news was the tumour hadn’t grown too big and initial scans had suggested it was far enough away from the large portal vein to allow surgery. But there was still a small chance that once they had started the operation, if they felt it was too close to the vein then surgery would be aborted leaving palliative care as my only option.

On Sunday 30 September 2018, I was to be admitted to hospital but first Kaye, my girlfriend, and I had a huge carvery; the last supper as I dryly referred to it! On the Monday I received a pancreaticoduodenectomy, also known as a ‘Whipple Procedure’. Half of my pancreas together with the tumour, gallbladder and part of the duodenum were removed during a mammoth eight-hour operation.

They monitored me overnight while I was in the post-operative critical care unit before going back to ‘5A’ Ward -also known as PERU (Pancreatic Enhanced Recovery Unit) – the next day with a multitude of tubes hanging out of me! The operation had been a success with only one complication, a pancreatic leak which I had drains inserted for. I was very sore but regardless, I was out of bed the next day, getting stronger and more mobile over the week. My surgeon, Declan Dunne is a great believer in fitness both before and after surgery and made sure I didn’t lay in bed all day! And Declan has his own story of recovery to tell, too.

After 11-days I returned home to continue my recuperation. I have to take medication with every meal- to do the part of the job my pancreas would normally do – but it’s a small price to pay for still being alive.

My first 6-month scan was clear, as was my first annual scan and my next is due in October. I am most grateful to my surgeon Mr Dunne, my specialist nurse Phil Whelan and all of the team at the Royal Liverpool Hospital. They truly are amazing.

Everybody stay safe, Mike.
Leeds cancer nurse wins inaugural Melinda Whale Memorial Award 2019

26 Jun 2020
A Leeds nurse was the first to receive a high-profile award recognising her dedication, care and unwavering support for kidney cancer patients.

A true NHS hero, Anneliese Peach who is a CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist) at St James University Hospital, Leeds, won our first ever Melinda Whale Memorial Award for care in kidney cancer nursing in 2019.

Recognising her selfless commitment to her work with kidney cancer patients over the past four years, the annual award is in memory of charity founder James Whale’s late wife and former Trustee of Kidney Cancer UK, Melinda – who died in 2018 at the age of 68. Television and radio broadcaster James, himself a kidney cancer survivor of nearly 20 years, helped establish the charity in 2006, and has been an active campaigner since. Melinda was a key driver in the charities’ formation.

Anneliese received the award from James at our annual Patrons Dinner at the House of Lords in October 2019, where she was praised for her compassion and care for patients in Leeds and across Yorkshire. Supporting newly diagnosed kidney cancer patients as well as those enduring gruelling treatment, colleagues said Anneliese “always goes above and beyond for all of her patients. Nothing is ever too much trouble.”

Speaking of her well-deserved accolade, Anneliese said: “The whole experience has been overwhelming. To be considered for any award was a shock but to be the first to accept this very special award is a real honour.

“Kidney Cancer UK is a fantastic charity, providing invaluable support to patients and their loved ones. My role doesn’t come without its challenges, but I’m inspired daily by my patients and colleagues, and I feel privileged to work in a job that I love. I’m very fortunate to be part of an incredible team and can’t thank them enough for all their guidance and support.”

Founder James said: “This award is a fitting tribute both to my wonderful wife, the work she did with the charity and all the amazing nurses who are caring for others in an environment that can often be very stressful.”

As part of the award, Anneliese received a bursary of £1,500, which she will use to further her education or improve services at her unit. Anneliese has used some of the bursary to purchase Blood pressure machines during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Anneliese said: “We routinely check the blood pressure of all our patients prior to each new cycle of treatment. Patients who are commenced on TKI treatments for their advanced kidney cancer, are prone to developing hypertension as a common treatment side effect. For safety, we need to see some regular BP readings across a couple of weeks, to make an appropriate assessment about the need for any antihypertensive prescriptions, to help control BP and allow our patients to safely continue TKI treatment.

“The NHS does not have the funding for us to provide our patients with a blood pressure monitor. Funding our own blood pressure monitors is a great benefit, particularly at the moment, in this unusual situation that we are in. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, all of our metastatic renal patients are classed as extremely vulnerable and are required to shield at home to protect themselves as much as possible. They are only allowed to leave their homes to attend essential medical appointments. In order to help facilitate this and reduce the risk, we are conducting remote clinic reviews via telephone and delivering TKI medication by courier to the patient’s home. Providing our patients with the ability to check their BP at home is therefore even more valuable, as it allows our patients to safely shield at home, only needing to leave their house for the essential blood test, limiting contact with the GP surgery and hospital during the pandemic.'”

Voting and nominations are open for the Melinda Whale Memorial Award 2020 so, is there a nurse that has been outstanding during your journey or shown that special something to someone close to you with kidney cancer? If so, submit your nomination now by clicking here and downloading the nomination form.

NOTE:

Nominations for the Melinda Whale Award opened on the 1st June 2020 and will close on the 31st July 2020, any nominations after this date will not be valid.

If you are nominating on someone’s behalf, you will need to seek their approval of the application and ask them to sign below (Nominee)

If you are nominating yourself you will need to have a supporter, please ask them to complete the section: Nomination supported by.
Plans to ease guidance for over 2 million shielding

23 Jun 2020
Advisory guidance to be eased for 2.2 million clinically extremely vulnerable people across England, as virus infection rates continue to fall

From Monday 6 July, those shielding from coronavirus can gather in groups of up to 6 people outdoors and form a ‘support bubble’ with another household

Government shielding support package will remain in place until the end of July when people will no longer be advised to shield

Hailing the resilience of those who have been shielding, the Health and Social Care Secretary confirmed from Monday 6 July they will be able to spend time outdoors in a group of up to 6 people including those outside of their household, while maintaining social distancing.

Those who are shielding and live alone or are single parents with children will also be able to create a ‘support bubble’ with one other household of any size, following the same rules already in place for the wider population.

This comes as the latest scientific evidence shows the chances of encountering the virus in the community continue to decline, but the government is committed to continuing with the unprecedented package of support until the end of July to give those shielding time to adjust to these changes.

From Saturday 1 August, the guidance will then be relaxed so clinically extremely vulnerable people will no longer be advised to shield, but support will remain available from NHS volunteers and local councils. People will retain their priority for supermarket delivery slots, and still be able to access help with shopping, medication, phone calls and transport to medical appointments.

While this group of clinically extremely vulnerable people should continue to follow strict social distancing measures, they will be able to participate in more activities such as visiting shops and places of worship.

From 1 August, those who need to work and cannot do so from home will be able to return to work as long as their workplace is COVID secure, adhering to the guidance available.

Nick Turkentine, CEO of Kidney Cancer UK said:

We are delighted to see the easing of these restrictions which will bring great relief to those who have been vulnerable from not only their illness but the issue that came with this long and difficult lock down isolation. We suggest to anyone who has been shielding to date to stick to these new rules, ensure you wash your hands regularly and if you have doubts about going out to take things at your own pace, don’t rush. But most of all, stay aware and enjoy these new guidance’s.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jenny Harries, said:

Shielding was introduced to safeguard those who, at the start of the epidemic in the UK, were thought to be most clinically vulnerable in our communities. We know how difficult this period has been and the impact shielding has had on many people’s mental health.

The prevalence of the virus in the community is now lower and chances of getting infected are reduced, so we believe it is the right time to relax some of the advice so people can start to regain a degree of normality once more in their daily lives.

People should continue to follow social distancing guidance when outside their homes, as well as frequently washing their hands, to minimise the risk of becoming infected. We will continue to monitor the evidence closely and adjust the advice accordingly if there are any changes in the rates of infection that could impact on this group.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:

I want to thank all those who have been shielding for so many weeks for their commitment to the shielding programme. I know this has been incredibly tough. Shielding has involved not leaving your house for months, not seeing people you care about, not being able to wander to the park for some fresh air, or even pop to the shops for something you need. This sacrifice has been for a purpose, and I want to thank every single one of you.

We knew it was a difficult ask, but these measures have been vital in saving lives. Now, with infection rates continuing to fall in our communities, our medical experts have advised that we can now ease some of these measures, while keeping people safe.

The government has worked closely with clinicians, GPs, charities, the voluntary sector and patient groups to consult on these changes and will continue to do so to provide support and advice to those they represent.

Following this review of the shielding measures, the government will be writing to all individuals on the Shielded Patient List with updated information on shielding advice and the ongoing support that will be available to them.

Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick, said:

The resilience and fortitude shown by those that have needed to shield has been inspiring. It’s good news that we are now in a position to start easing some of the restrictions, which I know will be welcomed by many.

I also want to reassure everyone that we will continue to deliver the unprecedented package of support including food and medicine deliveries until the end of July. You will be sent information that will explain what support is available after that, you will not be on your own.

I want to thank councils, health and care professionals, the food industry, key workers and volunteers for their staggering effort to deliver a programme on a scale not seen since the Second World War. Your combined efforts have supported millions of people during this difficult time.

The rates of the virus are now low enough to allow for our advice to be carefully and safely eased, as on average less than 1 in 1,700 in our communities are estimated to have the virus, down from 1 in 500 4 weeks ago.

Those identified as clinically extremely vulnerable should continue to remain at home as much as possible, taking particular care to minimise contact with others outside their household and practise good, frequent handwashing.

We recognise that individuals unable to work from home may feel uncertain about returning to work. Mindful of this, the government is asking employers to ease the transition for their clinically extremely vulnerable employees, ensuring that robust measures are put in place for those currently shielding to return to work when they are able to do so.

For anyone concerned about returning to work once the guidance has eased, we recommend they speak with their employer to understand their specific policies in relation to COVID-19. We advise they discuss their situation, agree a plan for returning to work and adjustments that may be needed before they return.

The NHS will maintain the Shielded Patient List to ensure that we continue to provide the best advice to those identified as clinically extremely vulnerable. Should the level of the disease in the community rise in the future, it may be necessary to advise that more restrictive measures should be taken in order for those at highest risk to keep themselves safPlans to ease
Home thoughts from abroad in lockdown

16 Jun 2020

Allan Richardson is four years into his kidney cancer journey having had a radical nephrectomy in May 2016; Stage 1 grade 3 at Norfolk and Norwich hospital. He is currently being monitored for two lung nodules which his last three scans have classed as benign. In this time Allan’s life has been stressful and complicated. He’s been trying to sell his property in Spain, so has been travelling back to Norwich every four-weeks or so, as his partner had a kidney and pancreas transplant a year ago, but she is now unable to travel or go out in the sun due to the possibility of skin cancer. Alan splits his kidney cancer treatment between UK and Spain and has just returned from Norwich stopping off on the way, they closed the border and so he found himself locked down in Gibraltar; stuck between his home in Norwich and his Spanish house in Marbella.

This is his lockdown story:

I’ve been out of lockdown in Gibraltar for three-weeks now, the first week we were given two-hours a day to leave our homes and go to designated beaches to exercise and get some fresh air. Prior to that, I guess I was lucky as I was able to go down to the basement car park in the apartment block and walk round and round with my dogs for a couple of hours each day. It was mindless but, we got out safely into a lift, sprayed all the buttons and wore a mask.

I was lucky because I had no issue with getting food deliveries, and I wiped it all down each time before putting it away.

In lockdown here in Gibraltar, like all of us, the only contact I had was by video but this, for me, was a double edge sword. Yes, lovely to see all my friends and family, but at times finding it very very hard being alone even though my two dogs are great company.

Now I’m back in my home in Marbella, sat on the patio looking at clear blue skies, the dogs are happy they’re back in a house with a garden, they are no longer sleeping all day with nothing to do.

I’m sure like all of us, I coped, but now with the ability to go out, walk the dogs, and with freedom I’ve changed. I’m still keeping my distance from everyone, I’m not shopping, I’m still getting deliveries, and also some friends are doing it for me and leaving it outside the door.

I’ve mentally and physically aged these past months. Physically, I’m not able to do gardening or exercise in the gym, my scoliosis has been so bad this last four-months without the gym, there have been times when I’ve just had to lay on the floor for hours to ease it. And then getting up off the floor was a nightmare!

Mentally I feel I’ve aged, it’s hard to explain. Maybe it’s more drained than aged.

I still haven’t seen any friends or family as I can’t travel, neither can they, but hopefully soon we can. Will I travel; yes. Coming back to the UK will mean renting for two or three weeks and just seeing my partner and aunts through windows as they’re still self-shielding, but that is better than nothing.

Like many, my scan has been delayed, hopefully I’ll be able to have it in July, which is eight-months instead of six, but that’s fine and I’m ok with that. I know the strain that many of us have had with delayed appointments/ scans/ follow-ups etc. have been hard to deal with, and of course now maybe some of us are still wary or even a little afraid of going back into a hospital, but we need to and we have to realise that all precautions in hospital units are in place to keep us safe.

I know so many of us have felt alone, anxious may be slightly depressed. But, we are slowly coming out of this, though some like my partner and aunts are still self-shielding and its so very hard for them, as it is for anyone who is still self-shielding.

I also have friends who were self-isolating, a few are still fearful of going out or having relations and friends in the house. They are just seeing them in the garden or through a window.

I am not the same person I was in March. The simple things in life have taken on a greater meaning, things that I took for granted, like seeing people, friends or relations, are now so important to me. Sitting in the garden seeing flowers, hearing birds sing, freedom albeit not as before. I’m walking my dogs along the seafront, I have my mask, but as its 28c here it’s impossible to wear it walking so I just avoid people. We have to wear them in shops, not that I’ve been in any, I do wear it if I stop at a cafe, sitting away from everyone, but I still feel uneasy doing that.

Life hopefully will return to some normality, but the world has changed, and we need to adjust. Maybe, like me, you’re finding out that some things you thought were important in the past are not so important anymore.

Family and friends mean more than before now and I no longer take them for granted.

Keep well, keep safe and look to a brighter future together with our loved ones

Alan
Analysis findings from KEYNOTE-427 ccRCC trial

10 Jun 2020

In an interview with Targeted Oncology, Scott Tykodi, MD, PhD, a physician with the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and associate professor in the Division of Medical Oncology at University of Washington Medicine, and an associate professor in the Clinical Research Division at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, discussed findings from the analysis from the KEYNOTE-427 trial in patients with ccRCC.

Updated follow-up of cohort A in the KEYNOTE-427 study indicated that pembrolizumab (Keytruda) monotherapy was tolerable with promising antitumor activity in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). There was a trend towards improved overall survival (OS) among patients who had greater reductions in target lesions, as well.

The overall objective response rate (ORR) was 36.4% (95% CI, 27.4%-46.1%), which included 3 complete responses (CRs) and 37 partial responses. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.1 months (95% CI, 5.6-11.0), and the median overall survival (OS) was not yet reached. The 18-month OS rate was 80.0% and the 18-month PFS rate was 26.6%.

Patients enrolled to this cohort had to have clear cell histology. These data were presented at the 2020 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Virtual Scientific Program, and a second study, a biomarker analysis on these data, was also presented at this year’s virtual meeting.

The objective of this research was to determine if there was an association between the depth of response and OS in cohort A. At the time of data cut-off, the median duration of response had not yet been reached.

You can read the full interview on Targeted Oncology by clicking HERE
Sean Harkin wishes to empower other patients

02 Jun 2020

Well here we are, back in 2015; A New Year, a new start. So, what’s my resolutions going to be this year?

I’m 41 years old so should I stress less about my Mom’s health? Lose weight? Keep fit? Hit sales targets? Go for that promotion? Travel more? Clear debts? Shame I forgot one of the most crucial agenda points in anyone’s life; good health!

Now, don’t get me wrong, during my life I have always been active. I grew up playing sports and in particular football. I signed a three-year professional contract with Manchester City on my 17^th birthday.

After football, I still maintained going to the gym regularly and running on average 25/30 km a-week, as well as doing weight sessions.

Also, I coached football in USA and had the best time ever covering 25 US States.

I enjoy meals out with my wife and family, I like a beer or red wine and enjoy a normal sensible diet… with some nice Cadbury’s chocolate.

I work for a great firm called Lyreco, with great people, since 2012 and I’ve never looked back. Office supplies is the name of our game, and I love it as I get to meet all kinds of different people each day working outside the office in field sales.

There’s the pressure of hitting sales targets and winning new business but, have found I’m fairly consistent at achieving this and have earned a good living from it. I have some great laughs with my fellow colleagues; many are now long term friends.

2015

Mid-January

Work have a sales seminar in Northampton on Monday morning but, across the weekend I haven’t been feeling too well, experiencing flu like symptoms and night sweats. I suffered a lot in previous years with Swine Flu, Shingles (horrible!) and various coughs & colds. So, I went to bed on the Sunday night saying, to my lovely wife Maria, I’ll see how I feel in the morning as I’ve never been someone to take time off work.

Monday morning comes round and I feel totally exhausted and can’t get out of bed The following day I feel a bit better and go back to work, though I’m still not feeling 100%.

March

10^th March is Maria’s birthday and we go to Stratford-on-Avon for the day, to a nice Italian restaurant for lunch and drinks. We have a great day with lots of fun!

11^th March I go to work and I’m looking forward to my gym session in the evening. I get changed and off I go again, my body is feeling a bit lethargic but I tell myself I’ll get through. I’ve drunk loads of water beforehand and need the loo. To my absolute horror, blood comes out in my urine?!!!! Horrible tea bag red colour?!!!!

Straight away my heart starts racing, my head, heart and gut tells me that something is seriously wrong here. I immediately call Maria to tell her, she says that its probably nothing but I should go to the doctor tomorrow. I carry on and do the gym session but I have serious alarm bells going off in my head. I know what I saw wasn’t right.

As soon as I get in the car I call doctors and book and appointment for the morning.

12^th March – I met my Area Sales Manager, Stuart Goodman, today for a normal working day. He jumps in my car and I tell him all about my episode last night and that I have to go the doctors first thing. No problem, he says and waits for me in the car. Great boss Stu and now a firm friend!

I go in to my appointment with great trepidation as I know that deep down something is seriously wrong but, the other voice in my head tells me ‘it’s nothing’, as are other people, but I know different. If there is one thing I’ve learnt in life, it is always go with your gut feeling, it’s never far off the mark.

I walk into the GP’ consulting room, and I am greeted by a bit of a stern looking middle aged lady, I can’t remember her name now as she’s now left the surgery. I found out later that she had a reputation for being very black and white with her views and the look on her face said “here’s another hypochondriac!”

DR- “So what’s going with you then?”

ME- “I’ve felt flu like symptoms/night sweats and have blood in my urine.”

DR- “OK, can you go and do a urine sample for me and will do usual checks BP/Bloods etc.”

So, off I go to the toilet, test tube in hand, pee as directed and guess what; the urine looks clear! Phew, I tell myself, it must have been a one off? I go back into the room and GP checks my urine sample.

She does the tests and all of sudden her demeanor changes to ‘OK this guy is no hypochondriac’. She tells me there are traces of blood in my urine and examines me further, asking if I have back or loin pain. I say ‘yes’, but I have always struggled with back and hamstring issues due to football and running so didn’t think anything of it.

From there the GP books me into Q E Hospital in Birmingham the following Friday for tests and states that ‘it will be in the cancer ward, but try not to be alarmed’! OK, I say but feel like I want a hole to open and swallow me up.

My first thought is how do I tell Maria? I can’t tell my Mom either as she is suffering a bit of dementia and other health issues and I know this would really upset her. I do tell Stu and he is great about everything and tells me to do whatever I need to do.

13^th March

Arrive at the Q E Hospital Birmingham with Maria and feel like I’m in a bad dream. Cancer Department for me? ME! I’m not overweight, I’ve never smoked, I don’t drink loads and I exercise!

As it turns out I’m going for a bladder scan. Any guy who has had one of these will know it’s definitely not a barrel of laughs! The burning sensation afterwards was awful!

It turns out my scan was clear of anything, so it’s decided to move on to ‘Plan B’ and I will receive another appointment date through the post.

I wait a few weeks and the letter comes through for a 20^th April appointment. During this time I had no other ‘blood in my urine’ issues and started to think it was a one off. I, though, did have my usual back pain which felt like a leather strap across the right hand side of my back.

20^th April

Maria and I are back at the Q E and this time I’m having CT and ultrasound scans. CT was fine, down the tunnel I go, having a laugh with the staff, who were great. It’s the ultrasound next and the nurse pours the cold gel on my back and starts to scan around it. At one point she stopped the device for around 10 seconds and paused, she doesn’t say anything but there is a bit of an awkward silence. Then, all done and I get down off the couch and told the results will be back in about 2 to 3-weeks.

1^st May

I go to work as normal and I’m looking forward to a few days off at the weekend. By lunchtime I start to feel a bit unwell so call Stu who says go home and take it easy, so I take his advise and go home. When I’m at home the symptoms get worse and start being sick and what’s coming out is green as grass! I experience terrible pains across my back and I’m crawling on the floor! Maria is at work so I call her and tell her I really need to go to hospital but can’t drive myself and unfortunately Maria can’t drive at all!

Within 30-minutes, Maria turns up with her dad who helps me into the car and they drive me to Redditch Hospital. I arrive and this is the first time in my life I really felt like I was dying! The pain was excruciating!

I said to Maria please get someone to help me as I’m going to pass out, fortunately I was fast tracked to see a doctor who gave me two co-codamol which, amazingly, settled me down.

I’m put into a room and told I would be seen as soon as possible and while I’m waiting I give lots of urine samples and everyone of them was full of blood unfortunately.

I was in there six-hours but I was sedated and feeling OK. Then low-and-behold my sister-in-law Gail and her family, who had just arrived back from holiday, came straight to the hospital. That’s something I have never forgotten!

About 10 pm the doctor comes in and discharges me and says they will wait and see what my scan results are from the Q E. So, I go home and I feel OK, although I am taking co-codamol and this is something I’m not comfortable with as don’t like taking medications.

7^th May

I spent the last week waiting for any sign of results. People asking me all the time “any results”, “you’ll be fine it’s probably nothing” or “its kidney stones which I’ve googled and you have all the symptoms.” I’m sure I know different and my gut feeling isn’t a good one.

I speak to Stu who asks me the same questions and then says “hang on why don’t you call Aviva Insurance? You have private cover through Lyreco?” Sure enough I call Aviva who can set me up an appointment tomorrow morning 9:30am at Edgbaston Priory Private Hospital to get my scan results. Great, I say thank you, at long last I get to find out as the waiting has been really hard.

FRIDAY 8^th May 2015

I wake up and Maria has nail clients booked and I tell her to just carry on as I’m sure it’s just kidney stones and all will be fine. We are not only husband and wife but great soulmates.

I arrive at The Priory in Edgbaston at 9:30 am and the doctor calls me into his room. He is a really nice man, whose name now escapes me. He had a lovely demeanor.

DR- “So, Sean do you have anyone with you?”

ME- “No, I’m on my own as I only got my appointment yesterday“.

DR- “Have you seen your scan results?” as he gathers his paperwork.

ME- “No. I’m just desperate to know what’s wrong with me, I suspect it’s kidney stones?”

DR- “I’m really sorry to have to tell you that you have kidney cancer and you have a 6 to 7 cm tumour in your right kidney. We are unsure at this stage if its contained in your kidney or if there is any spread. Only a scan can determine what our next course of action is. I wont be your consultant it will be Mr Rupesh Bhatt who is a renowned surgeon and brilliant with urology patients. You will be in good hands.”

ME- “WOW! Where is that hole now!”

He then gave me his number and said if I have any other questions please call him. I have to say he was absolutely brilliant with me looking back, as that can’t have been an easy conversation to deliver.

I get out to the car park feeling like my whole world has caved in. How an earth am I going to tell anyone this bombshell? My phone goes and its Maria! I blank the call and soon after she texts me “how have you got on?” I blank that too. Phone rings again and it’s my good mate from work Mark Allsopp asking how have I got on? I tell him and I can’t remember what he said to this day but it would have been encouragement.

I get into the car and the phone rings again, its Maria. I blank the call again. I then call Stuart who answers the phone in his usual breezy manner “here he is” he says, “how did you get on kid?” I tell him my news and it’s like time is standing still. He tells me to go home straight away and divert my phone.

Priory Edgbaston is near to St Joseph’s Care Home where my Mom is being looked after by Catholic Nuns. It’s an amazing place where patient care always comes before making money. I call in and see Mom, who next to Maria is my best mate. I desperately want to burst into tears when she tells me I’m not looking well but hold back as I don’t want to upset her. I tell her I think I have a grumbling appendix. Everyone in St Joseph’s for the next month is asking if my appendix is OK!!!!

I stay with Mom for about an hour as I know Maria has clients in but she’d be finished around lunchtime. Who do I call? I need to speak to someone; I feel desperate. My uncle George and aunt Marian are two of the greatest people I am lucky enough to know. They would do anything for anyone, at anytime.

I call and Marian answers and asks me, “what are your results?” I give her the news, “it’s cancer, Sean” she says in disbelief. After that, I can’t remember anything else about the conversation. I then had the similar conversation with my sister, Clare who lives in Ireland.

Several Maria missed calls/texts later I arrive at her nailbar around lunchtime. Her business partner and friend Debbie comes out first, we always had great laughs, and she comes to my window asking how did I get on….. and I tell her. I get the first sight of of many at the look of disbelief on her face. Maria then emerges and my heart starts to race, here we go how an earth am I going to break this news?

Maria gets in and her lovely face looks ashen with worry and I’m really sad that my silly body is putting her through this. I tell her the news and we embrace and shed many tears, we then go home and both fall into massive panic mode. The stress starts to take hold and my poor wife takes on the mantle of my secretary speaking to Aviva.

9^th May

Newport, Wales – Manchester City Class of 92 charity football match. This started two-years ago where all the lads would meet up and play a game and have a night out as we generally won’t have seen each other since 1993. Two years ago we met up and I wasn’t sure how everyone would be, we all went through some really tough times playing football but we had a great time.

I spoke to one of the lads, Nevin, the night before and told him my news and he said do whatever I wanted to do, everyone will respect that. Obviously couldn’t play but I decided I would go as would take my mind off everything……it didn’t but it did help a little. The lads were fantastic with with all their support to me, and they still are to this day. Again, this is something I will never forget. I remember buying them all a beer and leaving thinking to myself would I see any of them again?

14^th May

I remember this day as it was my aunt Marian’s birthday and looking back I can’t believe I asked her and uncle George to come with Maria and I for my consultation with Mr Bhatt in the Q E cancer ward. I sure know how to celebrate someone’s birthday!!

I waited a while before the door opened and Mr Bhatt called me and Maria in and he was a really great guy, straight to the point which I liked. He told me it is a 6 to 7 cm tumour and thought it was contained and that he could treat it successfully. 99.7% success rate so long as there is no spread. I had to have a few more checks which were uncomfortable but the operation date was confirmed for 27^th May to remove my right kidney.

27^th May 2015

D-DAY has arrived; 11 am, Edgbaston Priory.

I get changed into the operation gown and wait with Maria and her dad . It’s probably the first and only time I feel like a heavyweight boxer about to have the biggest fight of his life.

1:30 PM there is a knock on the door and its time. I take the long walk down to theatre and then part with Maria, I look back and she is in floods of tears with her dad. Bless her.

At 9 pm I wake up in intensive care with Maria holding my hand with that lovely smile on her face. She tells me that Dr Bhatt says operation has been a success! I then recall the scene from Saving Private Ryan where one of the soldiers gets shot and then starts to come round and then suddenly it hits you…..PAIN !! Where is the morphine?!! 5 days later I’m discharged from hospital and await my next scan in three-months time.

August 2015

There’s a nervous time ahead for the first scan result since my operation but, low-and-behold, it is ALL CLEAR with no spread!

2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

I have scans every 6 months and each time is a bit nerve racking but as time goes on the nerves ease a little. However when you have had cancer I don’t believe it ever leaves you mentally, but you can learn to cope better.

I write this blog (which I’ve never done one before!) is definitely not for a ‘well done, Sean’ pat on the back but, if just one person reads this this and takes some form of encouragement from my story, I would be delighted!

I’m happy for anyone to contact me if they wanted to chat?

The one thing I would say is that, by having cancer it makes you realise that there are so many GREAT people around who are so kind and thoughtful. Cancer really doesn’t choose who it targets, Maria summed it up when she said out of all our families combined she thought I would have been the last one to be diagnosed.

If you have this terrible illness you will go through many stages of feelings such as anger, why me, desolation, isolation, self pity, frustration with yourself, frustration perhaps at comments such as “be positive” when really you want to say back ‘tell me what’s so positive about having cancer!’ Forgive people, because they really don’t know what to say but are really trying to think the best for you.

Try to appreciate your family and friends and even strangers who are so nice!

A great big thank you to ALL my family and friends there would be too long a list and I don’t want to forget anyone!

I am so blessed to know you all.

Biggest Thank you though must go to my beautiful wife Maria who has helped me above and beyond. Kept me going during some very dark days and walked every step of the way. I am so lucky to have you as my wife and I love You so much. God definitely Blessed me by meeting you 😘

Thank you and I hope this isn’t too long a blog. Stay healthy and humble

Thank you to Sean for sharing his story, which will hopefully encourage other patients but also remind everyone if they see blood in their pee, to get checked out!