Class 1 medical bye-bye...
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Class 1 medical bye-bye...
I've been thinking about posting this here for some time as there's a lot of you folks who I communicate regularly with.
It's been the best and the worst of years for me. Firstly my intention to go to the US to do an ab-initio CPL(H) course in September were scuppered by my house not selling, so I had to give that up and instead embarked on doing my PPL(H) for starters in the UK. I got halfway through that, and then recently after a couple of visits to the GP complaining of lumps and swellings "down below" followed by a battery of tests was told that I have contracted testicular cancer. What luck...
Anyway, that was a month ago. Since then I've had an operation to remove the offending article, (thank god we have two eh?) But I found out yesterday via CT scan that it's already spread to my lymph nodes and from there to my lungs. So, I'm about to embark on approximately 3 months of intensive BEP chemotherapy next Monday. Obviously I'm not going to be flying for a long time to come, and whether I'm ever able to again will depend on the CAA and their views on chemo, particularly Bleomycin (the B in BEP), which has a tendency, (but not certainty) to scar the lungs. (they give scuba divers courses of EP, without the B for this reason, but I have no choice as I need it.)
Despite the spread of the disease, my prognosis is good. I've got statistically about 92% chance of complete and full recovery and cure, but only time will tell. (Unfortunately they can't tell me what differentiates the 92 from the 8% that don't make it..) But I'm more positive now than I have been for weeks. There's no more anxiety about how bad it is, no stress about waiting for appointments. I know now it can only get better from this point, and am eager to get the show on the road and start the treatment!!
This has all happened really suddenly, and it's not like I hesitated about seeing the doc when I first detected a problem. It's just that it was likely spreading before the primary tumour presented physical symptoms. I know medical fitness is paramount to any pilot, so I would urge all the guys out there to be vigilent, and never hesitate to put embarrassment out of your mind and seek a medical opinion. A delay of a few weeks could be critical to your health and your career.
That's all I wanted to say really. I hope no-one minds me dumping this in the group. It was intended as a heads-up to all the folks I often chat to, rather than an appeal for medical advice. (I'm overloaded with that, but if anyone's got any first hand experience of BEP and the CAA they're welcome to PM me.)
I guess in hindsight not selling my house was the best thing that could have happened. At least I still have my full-time job, with 24 weeks full sick pay to tide me over. Imagine the situation I'd be in if I were in the States on a J1 right now!?
Best regards,
Si
It's been the best and the worst of years for me. Firstly my intention to go to the US to do an ab-initio CPL(H) course in September were scuppered by my house not selling, so I had to give that up and instead embarked on doing my PPL(H) for starters in the UK. I got halfway through that, and then recently after a couple of visits to the GP complaining of lumps and swellings "down below" followed by a battery of tests was told that I have contracted testicular cancer. What luck...
Anyway, that was a month ago. Since then I've had an operation to remove the offending article, (thank god we have two eh?) But I found out yesterday via CT scan that it's already spread to my lymph nodes and from there to my lungs. So, I'm about to embark on approximately 3 months of intensive BEP chemotherapy next Monday. Obviously I'm not going to be flying for a long time to come, and whether I'm ever able to again will depend on the CAA and their views on chemo, particularly Bleomycin (the B in BEP), which has a tendency, (but not certainty) to scar the lungs. (they give scuba divers courses of EP, without the B for this reason, but I have no choice as I need it.)
Despite the spread of the disease, my prognosis is good. I've got statistically about 92% chance of complete and full recovery and cure, but only time will tell. (Unfortunately they can't tell me what differentiates the 92 from the 8% that don't make it..) But I'm more positive now than I have been for weeks. There's no more anxiety about how bad it is, no stress about waiting for appointments. I know now it can only get better from this point, and am eager to get the show on the road and start the treatment!!
This has all happened really suddenly, and it's not like I hesitated about seeing the doc when I first detected a problem. It's just that it was likely spreading before the primary tumour presented physical symptoms. I know medical fitness is paramount to any pilot, so I would urge all the guys out there to be vigilent, and never hesitate to put embarrassment out of your mind and seek a medical opinion. A delay of a few weeks could be critical to your health and your career.
That's all I wanted to say really. I hope no-one minds me dumping this in the group. It was intended as a heads-up to all the folks I often chat to, rather than an appeal for medical advice. (I'm overloaded with that, but if anyone's got any first hand experience of BEP and the CAA they're welcome to PM me.)
I guess in hindsight not selling my house was the best thing that could have happened. At least I still have my full-time job, with 24 weeks full sick pay to tide me over. Imagine the situation I'd be in if I were in the States on a J1 right now!?
Best regards,
Si
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Hi Simon,
My boss has been battling cancer for the best part of ten years - he goes in and out with his medical, but still flies as much as possible.
Take your energy, beat the cancer (think Lance Armstrong), then take some more energy and beat the medical.
Sometimes you don't KNOW the reason until much later, but everything happens for a reason - go with that and your journey will be much easier!
From across the pond, fair winds!
My boss has been battling cancer for the best part of ten years - he goes in and out with his medical, but still flies as much as possible.
Take your energy, beat the cancer (think Lance Armstrong), then take some more energy and beat the medical.
Sometimes you don't KNOW the reason until much later, but everything happens for a reason - go with that and your journey will be much easier!
From across the pond, fair winds!
Hovering AND talking
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Si,
My thoughts are with you as you know and don't give up.
Advances in medical science are staggering these days and the CAA Medical Division are becoming more enlightened especially if you keep them fully informed. Also consider whether there are Authorities elsewhere in the world who may give you a medical?
I think the difference between the 92% and the 8% is the attitude and "fighting spirit" - and you have both those!
Love
Whirls
....and at the risk of jokes, quips, innuendos etc, I'd like to urge all you blokes out there to get themselves checked and check themselves! Us girlies have it done so you should to.
My thoughts are with you as you know and don't give up.
Advances in medical science are staggering these days and the CAA Medical Division are becoming more enlightened especially if you keep them fully informed. Also consider whether there are Authorities elsewhere in the world who may give you a medical?
I think the difference between the 92% and the 8% is the attitude and "fighting spirit" - and you have both those!
Love
Whirls
....and at the risk of jokes, quips, innuendos etc, I'd like to urge all you blokes out there to get themselves checked and check themselves! Us girlies have it done so you should to.
HeliFirst
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I can only reassure you that (from my experience) the Medical dept of CAA will do their best to get you back airborne as soon as they can. YOU just stay focused and get well. regards
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Well done Si - you'll only get support from the good people on our online community. Keep us all updated. We've all got our fingers crossed for you.
Best of luck mate.
Best of luck mate.
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I was reading about an Army pilot who also got testicular cancer. Thier rules are you've got to be clear for two years before being allowed to fly again- but he got back in the saddle after less than 6 months! This was done to the Iraq however, but at least it gives you some hope of getting back flying!
Take care.
Take care.
Simon, a real "annus horribilis"(not sure about the spelling, but it's what the Queen had a couple of years back)! Anyway, a friend of mine contracted cancer a few years back, and he got his medical back, so it can be done. 
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The big C
Hi Simon,
I went to the vets 2 weeks back with a pain in the bolly. A young female locum drew the short straw and did the Prostate test (I will never forget her long red fingernails!).
Looks like it might be Prostitis (an infection of the Prostate) and not bolly cancer.
Blood in urine and painful Prostate seemed to confirm her diagnosis.
I though I had what you've got.
For the benefit of others, are you in the high risk group of - I think - pre-30's? I'm an old git at 52.
Did you notice a swelling and ignore it or did you seek immediate treatment?
I am sure you'll make a complete recovery but it sure is a bugger on the medical.
Still, you've got your whole life ahead of you and more time to save up!
Thanks for such frank information. Keep us posted.
VBR
Hairyplane
I went to the vets 2 weeks back with a pain in the bolly. A young female locum drew the short straw and did the Prostate test (I will never forget her long red fingernails!).
Looks like it might be Prostitis (an infection of the Prostate) and not bolly cancer.
Blood in urine and painful Prostate seemed to confirm her diagnosis.
I though I had what you've got.
For the benefit of others, are you in the high risk group of - I think - pre-30's? I'm an old git at 52.
Did you notice a swelling and ignore it or did you seek immediate treatment?
I am sure you'll make a complete recovery but it sure is a bugger on the medical.
Still, you've got your whole life ahead of you and more time to save up!
Thanks for such frank information. Keep us posted.
VBR
Hairyplane
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Hi
As someone who has had this problem and lived, I can pass on my experience. I was initially treated, as you, by the removal of the offending lump. A CT scan at the time did show I was clear, but I was given regular monthly checks. After 12 months a CT scan picked up a recurrence. I was also immediately put on a 3-month course of chemo. I, like you, had a good survival chance.
When I informed the CAA that I was going to be on chemo, they initially told me that I would not be able to fly for 12 months. After the chemo, I was again put on monthly checks. After 6 months (9 months after the start of the chemo), I was given an "As or With Co-pilot" restriction and allowed back to flying. As I was flying a multi-crew helicopter, this wasn't a problem for me. I had that restriction on my licence for three years. As I was still all-clear, the restriction was removed but the CAA required copies of the regular tests I had to have. This stopped this year (7 years after the chemo) and I have just renewed my Class 1 today.
I am not totally sure of the make-up of the drugs I had, other than I did have Cisplatin. This has a side affect of tinnitis. However, I appear to have passed all my hearing tests with flying colours since the chemo.
If you have a friendly AME, discuss the treatment with him, or ask to speak to a CAA doctor at Gatwick (I have found them very approachable). You could also make a post on the Medical & Health forum of Pprune as there are some experts on there.
BHPS
As someone who has had this problem and lived, I can pass on my experience. I was initially treated, as you, by the removal of the offending lump. A CT scan at the time did show I was clear, but I was given regular monthly checks. After 12 months a CT scan picked up a recurrence. I was also immediately put on a 3-month course of chemo. I, like you, had a good survival chance.
When I informed the CAA that I was going to be on chemo, they initially told me that I would not be able to fly for 12 months. After the chemo, I was again put on monthly checks. After 6 months (9 months after the start of the chemo), I was given an "As or With Co-pilot" restriction and allowed back to flying. As I was flying a multi-crew helicopter, this wasn't a problem for me. I had that restriction on my licence for three years. As I was still all-clear, the restriction was removed but the CAA required copies of the regular tests I had to have. This stopped this year (7 years after the chemo) and I have just renewed my Class 1 today.
I am not totally sure of the make-up of the drugs I had, other than I did have Cisplatin. This has a side affect of tinnitis. However, I appear to have passed all my hearing tests with flying colours since the chemo.
If you have a friendly AME, discuss the treatment with him, or ask to speak to a CAA doctor at Gatwick (I have found them very approachable). You could also make a post on the Medical & Health forum of Pprune as there are some experts on there.
BHPS
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would just like to wish you the best of luck,and as others have said,beat the illness first,then worry about the CAA.
i think you,ll find them supportive and understanding as long as you keep them fully informed.
all the best
MK10
i think you,ll find them supportive and understanding as long as you keep them fully informed.
all the best
MK10
Gatvol
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http://www.lancearmstrong.com/
http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.jvK....CC7C/Home.htm
Couple of websites for you. All of the PPruners are in your corner on this. Be strong and fight.
http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.jvK....CC7C/Home.htm
Couple of websites for you. All of the PPruners are in your corner on this. Be strong and fight.
The Original Whirly
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Well, Simon, it looks as though you should change the title of this thread. It seems like you might get that Class 1 after all.
As for what differentiates the 92% from the 8%? Who knows, really? What decides who gets cancer and who doesn't, or who falls under a bus tomorrow and who doesn't? We none of us know how long we've got, or what decides it. You're no different from others in that respect.
As to fighting, a friend of mine had cancer, and kept being told she was a fighter and would therefore beat it. She said that scared the hell out of her. When told she'd need a second dose of chemo, she found herself wondering if she wasn't fighting hard enough. She felt the attitude that it was down to her, implied that it was her fault she was so sick!!! For the record, that's nine years ago, and she's just fine. But I don't know that a fighting spirit will help you beat cancer; it might, but I don't know and neither does anyone else. But it WILL help you deal with whatever life throws at you. So chin up, walk tall, and know that we're all routing for you. And when you can't do that, and need a shoulder to cry on....we'll be there for you then too.
As for what differentiates the 92% from the 8%? Who knows, really? What decides who gets cancer and who doesn't, or who falls under a bus tomorrow and who doesn't? We none of us know how long we've got, or what decides it. You're no different from others in that respect.
As to fighting, a friend of mine had cancer, and kept being told she was a fighter and would therefore beat it. She said that scared the hell out of her. When told she'd need a second dose of chemo, she found herself wondering if she wasn't fighting hard enough. She felt the attitude that it was down to her, implied that it was her fault she was so sick!!! For the record, that's nine years ago, and she's just fine. But I don't know that a fighting spirit will help you beat cancer; it might, but I don't know and neither does anyone else. But it WILL help you deal with whatever life throws at you. So chin up, walk tall, and know that we're all routing for you. And when you can't do that, and need a shoulder to cry on....we'll be there for you then too.
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Hi Simon
Thanks for your post and your openness.
I don't know what the CAA's stance is, but it might be worth investigating whether you can still fly P/UT if you feel up to it of course, (as I read it you are part way through your ppl(h)?).
My Brother-In Law had a very similar condition, and asked if he could ride his motorbike between Chemo sessions. He was told that if he felt up to it there was no reason why not. (for the record his chemo went well and he has been clear for 5 years now.)
Best of luck.
Cheers Dan
Thanks for your post and your openness.
I don't know what the CAA's stance is, but it might be worth investigating whether you can still fly P/UT if you feel up to it of course, (as I read it you are part way through your ppl(h)?).
My Brother-In Law had a very similar condition, and asked if he could ride his motorbike between Chemo sessions. He was told that if he felt up to it there was no reason why not. (for the record his chemo went well and he has been clear for 5 years now.)
Best of luck.
Cheers Dan
Thank you for your advice Simon, everybody fears to have to face this condition....
Your philisophy "everything has a reason to happen" can be of a great help to others.
All the best with your fight !
Your philisophy "everything has a reason to happen" can be of a great help to others.
All the best with your fight !
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Hi Simon, you have my very, very best wishes for you future. I wish you every luck available.
There is a strong, honest, intelligent and likeable individual lurking behind you post and I reckon one also with a great sense of humour.
With these qualities not only will you beat this thing you will fly commercially .. do you hear me? You will fly commercially.
It also appears Whirly's offering a free check up .. grab it with both hands I say ..
Best regards.
Cron.
There is a strong, honest, intelligent and likeable individual lurking behind you post and I reckon one also with a great sense of humour.
With these qualities not only will you beat this thing you will fly commercially .. do you hear me? You will fly commercially.
It also appears Whirly's offering a free check up .. grab it with both hands I say ..
Best regards.
Cron.