Luke Thomas
Luke's My Big Cancer Walk
Fundraising for Melanoma Focus
Story
UPDATE
This is a post I didn’t ever want to have to think about, let alone actually write, but I’m taking a break from fundraising for Melanoma Focus and have officially closed My BIG Cancer Walk activity.
Recently, my health has taken a turn for the worse. A few weeks ago, while on my own walking in London, I started to feel a weird sensation, I tried to call out while hanging onto some railings and next thing I knew, I’m in an ambulance all confused.
I’d suffered a seizure, bleeding from the mouth from severely biting my tongue and soaked from wetting myself. I was rushed to UCL hospital where I spent the night, not initially telling anyone to avoid stressing anyone out.
Following a CT scan it was confirmed I have 7 cancer metastases in my brain. Going from all clear 3 months ago with no organ involvement, this was a huge shock, and a lot to get my head around. I always understood prognosis was poor once it hits the brain however there are many positive stories out there with people living for many years, so I am still positive.
After lots of meetings and more scans it was agreed that I would have 1 round of SRS radiotherapy to zap the little buggers out of my brain. Fast forward to 31st November, the day after my radiotherapy session, and I am back in hospital, having had 3 more seizers.
REALITY CHECK: I’ve now been told once I begin to build resistance to the current targeted treatment I’ve been on for the last 3.5 years (patient medium response is 12-14 months) and relapse, there will no more options through the NHS.
While all of this has been going on, my family and friends have started fundraising for my possible future private treatment, should I need it. The truth is, this is now looking more increasing likely.
I was hoping to rechallenge with immunotherapy, but I don’t meet the bureaucratic NHS (NICE) criteria. There may be trials or funding down the line, but this isn’t guaranteed. Self-funding is now my only future lifeline, and 4 infusions of immunotherapy costs £100,000.
So, with a heavy heart, but a strong conviction to keep fighting the only way I know how, I would like to ask you to join me on the next stage of my Melanoma journey, My BIG Cancer Fund.
UPDATE Offa’s Dyke - My Big Cancer Walk Part 2. Thank you to all who have supported me during the Wales Costal Path Walk, raising over £62k to date. In June 2023 I will start to walk the length of Offa’s Dyke (177 miles), completing the whole perimeter of Wales, raising more awareness and important funds for the charity Melanoma Focus. Thank you
Hi, I'm Luke Thomas,
I’m 37 years old and have stage 4 incurable skin cancer. This year I plan to walk the Welsh Coastal Path for Melanoma Focus Charity...Gulp!
My journey first started back in 2014 when I noticed an unusual mole on my back and I went to my GP to get it checked out. It was confirmed as Melanoma skin cancer. Being ignorant, at the time, I thought "it's just skin, it can be cut out". Luckily for me it was localised melanoma and could simply be surgically removed. Fast forward five years later and I’m living a fulfilling life like any 30 plus year old. I’d developed a successful career in architecture and met my lovely partner Yuri...life was great.
Another unusual mole. This time on my arm and again it was localised and removed....phew. However, something wasn't right. I occasionally started to feel weak, nauseous and on the same side of my body where the mole was removed, my armpit started to swell. Was this a lymph node reaction?! Time for a hospital biopsy....
As soon as I walked into the consultants room for the results I saw the nurse holding a pack of leaflets and my gut sunk, I knew. It was confirmed stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma. It had spread across my skin and in my lymphatic system. It felt like a death sentence.
But there is hope. I'm currently being fantastically cared for at Guys and St Thomas hospital, London. Treatment to prolong life has developed immensely in the past 10 years. In Jan 2020 I started my first course of immunotherapy but responded with a mixed reaction. The therapy had reduced major tumour burdens, however my health deteriorated over the next 3 months and on one occasion I spent 18 consecutive days in hospital. I had lost over a stone in weight and had severe tumour growth in my left axillary and chest. I can remember one particular occasion when I was in so much pain, I couldn't lift my arms over my head to go into the PET scanner. Then the next plan of action, a change over to targeted treatment. Within 3 days I could see tumours reducing and continued with a good response thereafter.
I can now do star jumps...Remarkable!
I continue to take targeted treatment daily and although I do suffer from side effects, I now have a good quality of life again. However, this treatment has a shelf life with an average response of 12 to 14 months....I am now on my 15th month. I will continue to fight this disease and live in hope that I have many years ahead of me, especially with continuing advances in medicine.
With this, I plan to Walk the Welsh Coastal Path. A self funded 2 to 3 month walk along 870 miles of beautiful Welsh coast with a backpack, (allowing myself to sample the local beer and chip shops along the way). The money I raise will go to Melanoma Focus. An amazing charity that funds research and also offers support and guidance to consultants and patients alike. I am doing this not only to raise money but to also raise awareness as skin cancer is on the rise, especially amongst young people. I know this will be tough on me mentally and physically, especially while combating side effects, but I am in need of a challenge that keeps me fit, strengthens my immunity and also gives me a new sense of purpose, an achievement I can be proud of.
I will endeavour to finish this walk in one hit - health and side effects permitting - and would love for you to follow my journey. Insta link below.
We all have been caught out by the sun, just remember to protect your skin and wear SPF 50 sunscreen every two hours, my cancer journey started with melanoma that was no bigger than a pencil tip and now I’m stage 4. Get any peculiar moles checked by your GP or dermatologist. If you have questions relating to any aspect of melanoma please call the Melanoma Focus helpline which can be found on their website.
Life has been great to me and continues to be great. Cancer won’t rule me. Thanks for reading.
Love and protect your skin.
Luke x
www.instagram.com/mybigcancerwalk
Please familiarise yourselves with the Melanoma Focus skin check leaflet below.
https://melanomafocus.org/about-melanoma/skin-check-leaflet/
https://melanomafocus.org/
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