Together we walk!
I’m walking 15 miles with my eldest son, Ollie and his girlfriend Sian between The Royal Marsden's Chelsea and Sutton hospitals to support this world-leading cancer centre. By donating to my page, their nurses, doctors, and research teams can provide the very best care and develop life-saving treatments, which are used across the UK and around the world.
I'm currently going through my own little journey being treated by the lovely team at both Sciensus and HCA Healthcare (London Oncology Centre) for HCL (Hairy Cell Leukaemia) and being well looked after by my Haematologist Dr Joel Newman and the very helpful Michaela! Can't say enough about the amazing Google Cloud Team & the Google Partners across Europe , the wonderful AXA PPP Healthcare plus my family and friends who have all supported me on my journey so far.
I feel very humbled and fortunate as I realise there are many others out there who don't have the same access to this amazing network and to be in this lucky situation.
Please support us today. Hopefully we can help just a bit; and together, we can transform the lives of cancer patients.
My achievements
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My updates
My Cancer Journey - 1st post - March 6 2025
Wednesday 12th Mar
My Cancer Journey
This is the start of my journey, a journey I never imagined taking, but one I am now fully committed to. It's a journey about navigating the unexpected, finding strength in vulnerability, and embracing hope amidst uncertainty. I will add additional content as I go along as there is so much to cover and I want to keep it as simple as possible.
Key Topics
Routine Check Up
It all started with a routine check-up with the lovely Google Nurse Geraldine at our Kings Cross Office in November 2021. Geraldine contacted me the next day and said my bloods were low and that I needed to be referred to a Haematologist. Interesting!
Regular Monitoring
My first appointment with Dr Wrench at London Bridge Hospital was re-assuring and that for now I shouldn't worry but they will start taking regular blood tests to see if this was a blip or there was something more serious going on. He was very clear on how things would progress and what to expect.
Bone Marrow Biopsy
In April 2022, I had a biopsy where they extracted Bone Marrow from my pelvis using a lengthy needle. It was fairly seamless, not much pain due to local anesthetic and a little sore for a day or two if I sat on the wrong bum cheek 😀
The Diagnosis
The results came back in May 2021, and life as I knew it changed in an instant. Hearing the words "cancer" "leukaemia" “HCL (Hairy Cell Leukaemia)” was surreal, like an out-of-body experience. I never expected to hear these words and my name in the same sentence. I remember the doctor explaining the diagnosis, but the words seemed to blur together. The first thoughts that came to mind were:
How does this impact my Life Expectancy
How do I tell my family and friends? Do I share this and when?
Will share more details on this in future posts as its a massive topic in itself
Processing the News
The initial shock was followed by a wave of emotions – fear, confusion, and a sense of disbelief. I called Shelley (my wife) as I left the Dr and said let's talk in more detail when I get home. I spent the first few days and weeks in a daze, trying to process what this meant for me and my family. It was a time of many questions and few answers.
My one really clear memory is walking out of the hospital onto the streets of London and all the colours appeared to be so vivid; much brighter and clearer than usual. I had a real sense of being and living for the present and truly valuing each and every moment of every single day. Life is so precious and I would continue to make the most of it.
Finding Support
One of the most important things I've learned is the power of support. Sharing my experience with loved ones and connecting with others who have gone through similar journeys has been incredibly helpful. I've been overwhelmed by the love and encouragement from family, friends, work colleagues, the health care system and even strangers.
Here is a list of support resources I've found (I will add more details later in future posts):
Local support groups
Online forums and communities
Google tools like Gemini, Notebook LM, AgentSpace plus more
Counseling and therapy services
Informational websites and books
Treatment and Challenges
The treatment process has been challenging, both physically and emotionally. There have been mostly good days and a few bad days, moments of strength and moments of vulnerability. Each day, month and year is a new hurdle, but I'm taking it one step at a time and learning so much as time progresses
I will provide more details as I move forward but feel like I need to give it more time to process what I am currently going through and I don't quite have the headspace for it now.
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges, I remain hopeful. I'm focusing on staying positive, taking care of myself, and celebrating small victories. This journey is teaching me a lot about myself, about resilience, and about the importance of living each day to the fullest.
What I have been through provides me with increasing clarity about how we can help each other, friends, family and strangers through the toughest challenges. We can all emerge stronger and better by helping each other and for me, I can see that this will provide me with purpose as I become older and hopefully wiser!
I will continue to share updates as I progress through this journey. Thank you for your support and for being a part of this with me.
-David
Hairy Cell Leukaemia (HCL) Overview, Treatments and Google Tools (2nd Post March 7th)
Friday 7th Mar
Hairy Cell Leukaemia (HCL) Overview
Based on the source Lymphoma Action - Hairy Cell Leukaemia, hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) is a slow-growing type of blood cancer .... It develops when white blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control. Specifically, HCL originates from B cells, a type of lymphocyte that is part of your immune system and travels around your body to fight infections.
In hairy cell leukaemia, abnormal B cells accumulate in the blood and bone marrow. This build-up in the bone marrow can interfere with the production of healthy blood cells, often leading to:
low blood counts
Anaemia (low red blood cells), which can cause tiredness, breathlessness, or dizziness
Thrombocytopenia (low platelets), increasing the likelihood of bruising and bleeding
Neutropenia (low neutrophils, a type of white blood cell), which can make you more prone to infections and make it harder to recover from them
Monocytopenia (low monocytes, another type of white blood cell), affecting almost all individuals with HCL and potentially raising the risk of infections
The name 'hairy cell leukaemia' comes from the fact that these abnormal B cells have a ruffled or hairy appearance when viewed under a microscope. While primarily affecting the blood and bone marrow, in some cases, the abnormal cells can also accumulate in the lymph nodes.
Hairy cell leukaemia is considered a rare disease, with approximately 240 new cases diagnosed in the UK each year. It is more common in men than in women, affecting them about four times as often, and it typically develops in middle-aged people, being rare in younger individuals. The exact cause of hairy cell leukaemia is currently unknown.
It's worth noting that some individuals may not experience any symptoms at the time of diagnosis, with the condition being discovered incidentally during blood tests conducted for other reasons. However, as the abnormal cells proliferate, symptoms can develop gradually. Besides low blood counts, the abnormal cells can also build up in the spleen, causing it to enlarge (splenomegaly), which may result in pain, discomfort, or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen and might be felt as a lump. An enlarged spleen can also contribute to lower blood counts by destroying healthy blood cells. Less commonly, the liver may also swell (hepatomegaly), leading to pain and bloating. Some people may also experience general symptoms like fatigue (extreme tiredness), weight loss, fevers, and night sweats. In very rare instances, individuals might develop swollen lymph nodes without the presence of abnormal cells in the blood, spleen, or bone marrow
Cladribine (My First) Treatment
Cladribine is a chemotherapy drug used to treat HCL. It is often the first-line treatment.
Based on the source Cladribine (Leustat® or LITAK®) - Macmillan Cancer Support, Cladribine is a chemotherapy drug also known as Leustat® (for intravenous infusion) or LITAK® (for subcutaneous injection). It is one of the most common chemotherapy drugs for hairy cell leukaemia.
Administration of Cladribine:
There are two ways Cladribine can be given:
Intravenously (Leustat®): As an infusion (drip) into a vein. This is usually administered by a chemotherapy nurse in a chemotherapy day unit or during a stay in hospital. The infusion can be a continuous drip over 7 days (potentially requiring hospitalization) or a drip over 2 hours, given every day for 5 days.
Subcutaneously (LITAK®): As an injection just under the skin, typically in the tummy or the top of the thighs, given every day for 5 days
There are many potential side-effects including:
While treatment is being given can include allergic reactions and pain at the injection site (if subcutaneous) or issues around the drip site (if intravenous)
Risk of infection (neutropenia)
Bruising and bleeding (low platelets)
Anaemia (low red blood cells)
Feeling sick (nausea)
Diarrhoea
Constipation
Loss of appetite
Fluid build-up
Skin changes
Feeling tired
Tummy pain
Muscle or joint pain
Effects on the kidneys
Effects on the liver
Headaches
Problems sleeping and anxiety
Dizziness3
Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS)
Sore eyes
Effects on the lungs (cough, wheezing, breathlessness)
Less common side effects can include effects on the heart and nervous system
Rituximab (My Second) Treatment
Based on the source Rituximab from Macmillan Cancer Support, Rituximab is a targeted therapy drug belonging to the group of monoclonal antibodies. It is used to treat conditions like lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and may sometimes be used for other cancers
Mechanism of Action: Rituximab works by targeting a specific protein called CD20, which is found on the surface of white blood cells called B-lymphocytes (B-cells)1 . By locking onto CD20, Rituximab triggers the body's immune system to attack and destroy these B-cells, both abnormal (like those in HCL) and normal ones. The body can typically replace normal B-cells after the treatment is completed.
Usage in Hairy Cell Leukaemia: While Cladribine is one of the most common chemotherapy drugs for HCL, Rituximab can also be used in the treatment of HCL, often in combination with chemotherapy. For instance, it may be combined with Cladribine for relapsed HCL or if a patient has a partial response to initial chemotherapy5.
Administration of Rituximab: Rituximab is typically given at a day unit, as an outpatient, or during a stay in hospital. It can be administered on its own or with other cancer drugs, such as Cladribine in my case.
Intravenous Infusion: Rituximab can be given as a drip into a vein (intravenous infusion) through a cannula, central line, or PICC line10 . If administered intravenously, it is given through a pump over a set time11 . The first infusion is usually given slowly due to the potential for a reaction, and patients may receive medicines beforehand to help prevent or reduce any reaction. The first infusion might be administered in the hospital. Subsequent treatments can often be given more quickly in a day unit or outpatient department.
Subcutaneous Injection: After receiving at least one treatment as an intravenous infusion, Rituximab can sometimes be given as an injection under the skin over 5 minutes.
Potential Side Effects of Rituximab
Side effects while treatment is being given: These can include allergic reactions (feeling hot or flushed, shivering, itching, rash, dizziness, sickness, headache, breathlessness, wheezing, swelling of face or mouth, pain in back, tummy, or chest) and low blood pressure. Some people may also experience mild tumour pain during the infusion. If given as an injection, there might be problems at the injection site like redness and swelling1.
Common side effects can include:
Risk of infection (low white blood cell count/neutropenia)
Anaemia (low red blood cells)
Bruising and bleeding (low platelets)
Feeling sick (nausea)
Loss of appetite
Raised blood sugar levels
Constipation
Diarrhoea
Skin changes (rash, itching, numbness, tingling, pricking, or burning feeling)
Hair loss (thinning or complete loss of hair)
Muscle or joint pain
Eye problems (sore, red, itchy eyes - conjunctivitis)
Mood and sleep changes (feeling low, depressed, anxious, trouble sleeping)
Effects on the lungs (cough, wheezing, breathlessness)
Fluid build-up (weight gain, swelling in face, legs, or ankles)
Less common side effects can include:
Effects on the heart (breathlessness, dizziness, changes to heartbeat, swollen feet and ankles)
Effects on the brain (drowsiness or confusion, memory problems, trouble speaking, problems with balance/moving/walking, changes in eyesight)
Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS)
Hearing changes (ear pain, hearing loss, tinnitus)
Changes to your taste
Comparison of Cladribine and Rituximab
Feature | Cladribine | Rituximab |
|---|---|---|
Type | Chemotherapy | Targeted Therapy |
Target | DNA synthesis | CD20 protein on B cells |
Administration | Intravenous or Subcutaneous | Intravenous |
Use | First-line treatment for HCL | Relapsed HCL or in combination with cladribine |
Side Effects | Immunosuppression, nausea, fatigue | Infusion reactions, low blood counts |
The Diagnosis and Prognosis Conversation - 3rd post - March 12 2025
Thursday 6th Mar
Approaching the Conversation
Considering My Needs & Communication
Deciding who I wanted (or needed to tell) and in what order was something that took some time to work out.
Shelley has been on the journey with me day 1 but the next port of call was the kids - which was quite a scary thought
Choosing the method of communication to update people (in-person, phone, email, group message).
Depending on who it was I always preferred to do it Face to Face. As I have moved on I have been more comfortable sharing it via WhatsApp or Messages (sometimes individual, sometimes group). As I am going through treatment, sending a group message at work, using LinkedIn and Facebook helps me reach the broader community of work colleagues and friends.
Prepare what information you want to share.
Im quite an open person but sharing the details is quite intimidating and getting the tone right is important
Determine how much emotional support you need during the conversation
Here I could be quite self sufficient but sometimes feel better having a loved one with me to share the news
Starting the Conversation
Ideally find a private and comfortable setting eg with the kids we sat around the kitchen table
Start by stating you have some news to share
Position and use clear and direct language: "I have been diagnosed with cancer / leukaemia"
The way our friend and Osteo Rosa described it (I shared the news with Rosa quite early) was - share it a ‘sh-t sandwich’ ie start of by saying that this is a good story, share the bad news and then explain that the prognosis is good’
The above is not easy - people are frightened and fear the worst when you mention ‘The Big C’
Explain that cancers can be treated in this day and age - the science, drugs and knowledge have all come a long long way
There are different levels of where people are at - luckily for me I was diagnosed early and the prognosis is very promising
Conversation starters can be awkward as you really don't want to bring people down or upset them but at the end of the day its better to not beat around the bush for everyones sake
"I wanted to talk to you about something important. I recently received a diagnosis of cancer."
"I have some difficult news to share. I've been diagnosed with [type of cancer]."
"I'm facing a health challenge, and I wanted you to hear it from me. I have cancer."
Sharing Information, Managing Reactions and Providing Updates
Provide details at your comfort level.
I used various tools - documents provided by the Dr were good, the podcast summary was also excellent and then describing everything as simply and in layman's terms as is possible
Explain the type of cancer, stage (if known), and treatment plan (if available).
This was well documented and I had all of this at my fingertips so I could speak confidently and with authority so there was as much clarity as possible
Be prepared for a range of emotional reactions
Shock, tears, hugs, vacant stares +++
Be patient and understanding of their reactions (shock, sadness, denial)
Many people don’t know how to react so I try and make them as comfortable as possible by explaining that it's perfectly fine to react in any fashion as there is no right or wrong way
Answer questions honestly, but it's okay to say "I don't know" or "I'm not ready to talk about that."
Whilst sharing the news, I am also educating people on a topic which is very prevalent in society and I hope the way I have been doing it helps people understand and be available not just for me but for all loved ones that may be going through rough situations
Allow people time to process the information.
Let people know how they can support you just by being there
Fund Raising is amazing for communicating
I have thought and thought about this but Ollie and Sian have been amazing and we decided on the Royal Marsden Charity Walk as the best vehicle
While it's not easy to share everything in the open, there are so many positive aspects to doing this:
I have been able to use this blog to share my experience and hopefully people will understand and learn more about what people with cancer go through and how to help
Raising funds for an amazing charity is so gratifying for everyone - people are so generous and really rally around great causes
We have a target accomplishment of walking the 14 miles and being around so many like minded people experience similar things
It gives everyone a sense of wellbeing and takes peoples minds of day to day stress and anxiety and puts life in perspective
Things to Remember - The Prognosis
The prognosis (all going well) will be a happy and healthy normal life span
Be in control of what you share.
It's okay to feel vulnerable and ask for help.
People's reactions may vary, and that's okay.
Allow yourself time to process your own emotions.
Personally, I am a lucky person to have so much love and positivity in life
Together, we will beat this
Thank you to my Sponsors
£500
The Hack
£200
Nat Maple
Great cause, go get 'em David, Ollie and Sian!
£100
The Barters
All our love Davo
£100
James Carter
All the best with the walk David.
£100
Paul Hoyle
Even at this difficult time, you continue to think about others! All the very best Dave, what an amazing cause, will be thinking of you!
£100
Katherine Jones
David, My Birthday Twin. You can do this!! KJ
£100
Laura Wheeler
Here's to a speedy recovery!
£100
Sparky
Much love Brother Blackman!
£100
Hal Cohen
Wishing you all the best with your treatment and recovery! Good luck with the walk - a pleasure to donate to a cause very close to my and my family's heart.
£100
Paul Murray
Good luck David and fantastic news that you are heading in the right direction. Hope to see you back in the office soon.
