{"id":4565,"date":"2026-03-30T12:23:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T11:23:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/totleyac.org.uk\/2021_wp\/?p=4565"},"modified":"2026-03-30T12:23:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T11:23:35","slug":"half-marathon-cancer-and-hope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/totleyac.org.uk\/2021_wp\/2026\/03\/30\/half-marathon-cancer-and-hope\/","title":{"rendered":"Half Marathon, Cancer and Hope"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

37 days ago I was attending what I thought would be a routine check up for indigestion, then bang\u2026..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A gentle female voice asks, \u201cDo you know where you are?\u201d I answer, feeling drowsy, \u201cI\u2019m in hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m recovering after fainting and my heart stopping for 30 seconds. I\u2019m in the Royal Hallamshire Hospital after what I hoped was a routine procedure. I\u2019ve had CPR and I\u2019m slowly realising the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve just had a gastroscopy and the news had been broken to me by a Doctor that the procedure had found cancer in my oesophagus. The combination of shock and recovering from the sedative has led me to feint as the news is broken to Julie and I.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poor Julie had been quickly ushered out of the room while a crash team rushed to my aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An ambulance has been requested to take me to A&E to check out my heart properly. I\u2019m waiting from 5pm to 7.30pm in the outpatient department, two nurses are observing me, they\u2019re answering our initial questions about what this news means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have a thorough check up at A&E at the Northern General Hospital, I\u2019ve had bloods taken and At least 4 ECG tests. Those results are good news I haven\u2019t had a heart attack, the Consultant says it\u2019s the shock. I have a chest x-ray that checks my ribs haven\u2019t been broken by the CPR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m home at 10.30pm and feeling exhausted. I won\u2019t be doing parkrun in the morning or heading to Middlesbrough for the football. Good news on the football as Boro play dismally for a 0-0 draw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That night we\u2019re both in shock. I feel calm and a bit numb. Julie\u2019s tearful but trying to keep it together for me. I feel moved, loved and cared for by Julie\u2019s emotional response, it almost feels like she\u2019s holding the psychological pain for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next day we both google oesophageal cancer. It\u2019s not good news. The search suggests just 20% survive for 5 years after diagnosis. We\u2019ve both seen that shocking internet search but we take some time to share our findings with each other to protect each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We talk, we say how we must be precious but not exceptional with time. We must live in the moment and trust the professionals that will be enveloping my care and treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next three weeks I\u2019m having tests and appointments. First a CT Scan, it indicates cautious good news that it looks like it hasn\u2019t spread. I need a further CT-PET Scan that is a more thorough examination checking about spread. I\u2019ve been informed that the result of the second scan will indicate whether I\u2019m on a palliative or curative treatment plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve met with a Specialist Consultant and Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist. They\u2019ve explained what my treatment options might be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

17 days after the initial gastroscopy I have a telephone conversation with the clinical nurse specialist. It\u2019s the news I wanted to hear. The CT-PET Scan has shown no further spread. I\u2019ll be on a curative care plan. I feel a release, I shed my first tear. Julie and I hug. It feels a huge relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve let some of my friends know about the initial findings and now I\u2019m sending messages of hope that I\u2019m on a curative pathway. I smile with Julie that the next 6 months are going to be Chemotherapy and major surgery. If someone had said to four weeks ago that you\u2019ve got a year ahead of chemotherapy, major surgery and recovery I would have said, thanks but no thanks. Now I\u2019m almost punching the air at the prospect of 6 hours of surgery, time in intensive care, brutal chemotherapy and hopefully patient recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 days ago, I know I\u2019m about to start my gruelling treatment regime soon but I know I have a window where I\u2019m only suffering stomach discomfort. I stop dithering and decide to enter the Sheffield Half Marathon. It\u2019s a race I\u2019ve done about 15 times beforehand. I love the course and the cheering crowds. It\u2019s a race with lots of friends are both running and supporting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I now have a clear plan for treatment. I\u2019ve met over 20 clinicians for various tests, advice and guidance. My last appointment with the Oncologist has given me a likely start time for chemotherapy. My chances of long term cure have increased after the results from the tests have indicated no further spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve met physiotherapists and dieticians who have told me that my running is big positive and encouraged me to maintain fitness. Doing the Sheffield Half Marathon is now part of my treatment plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a chilly Sheffield morning as I stroll down to the start line. There\u2019s a meet with other Totley AC runners for a photo. I love the nervous and expectant chat as we compare training, mostly agreeing we haven\u2019t done enough, target times or just general gossip. This time people are also asking about my treatment and sharing love and best wishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I offer that I\u2019m ok, it\u2019s just my podcast listening and reading is now not just running, cricket and politics. It\u2019s now includes Cancer biographies, Chris Hoy and Mark Steel\u2019s writings are informative and at times funny. My podcasts now include You, Me and the Big C. I\u2019m still addicted to hearing about running, cricket, football and political ramblings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The race sets off. I cross the start line and soon settle into the ruminations of running. One second you\u2019re thinking am I going too fast, the next, will I be able to do parkruns during chemotherapy, then, will I keep up this pace, next, oh hello Caz, as she speeds past me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I soon settle into a nice steady pace. When I run I sometimes do deals with the running gods. If I do the 10km to Forge Dam from home in 55 minutes, well that means Middlesbrough will beat Millwall at the weekend. Or, if I manage a 24 minute parkrun, I\u2019ll score 50 in the cricket on Saturday. Today, I decide if I run under 2 hours for the half marathon, that means the Cancer will be cured. Obviously, the brilliant clinicians and science will have a small part of this successful treatment plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hit the hilly section heading up to the Norfolk Arms, it\u2019s a 250 metre climb in 3 miles and runners in Sheffield have been known to lose their sanity worrying about this hill. I feel pretty strong here, just nice and steady. I\u2019m 5 miles into the race and well ahead of my 2 hour schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m running along and a friend catches me up and runs with me for a couple of minutes. We chat and run. He asks that innocent question, \u201cHow are you?\u201d I answer without hesitation, \u201cI\u2019m brilliant.\u201d I have completely forgotten about the cancer, I\u2019m filled with running endorphins and I am feeling brilliant. Maybe that\u2019s a moment that sums up the live in the present philosophy that a diagnosis like this gives. It\u2019s a sentiment that\u2019s apt for all of us much of the time. How much of the time do we all get anxious about the past or future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The support is brilliant. I\u2019m loving the recognition and smiles, \u201cLooking strong Richard\u201d or \u201cGreat running Richard.\u201d It\u2019s mostly downhill after 5 miles and my legs are cherishing the gravity. We head through Dore where Totley AC has taken over all the marshalling. There\u2019s a beautiful cacophony of encouragement from Totley volunteers, I\u2019m Mo Farah running for gold in London, albeit a middle aged, slow, white guy, sort of Mo Farah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s three miles to go as I hit Ecclesall Road, the crowds are at their peak, there\u2019s more shouts of encouragement from friends. The legs are feeling a bit tired but I\u2019m feeling up to the challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The finish line approaches and my watch has me down for a 1 hour 54 minute finish. It\u2019s not my fastest half marathon time but it\u2019s a finish I savour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m feeling good at the moment, positive about the treatment ahead. I know I\u2019ll have dark and painful times in the coming months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I feel loved by friends who\u2019ve offered beautiful support and love. The wonderful United Nations of the NHS has so far mostly provided confidence, professionalism and kindness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can\u2019t wait until this time next year to be running my next Sheffield Half Marathon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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