by In my column of June 19, 2020, I told what I considered a very moving story about the time when, during one of my FOP group training sessions in Felthorpe, I observed a charming elderly gentleman known under the name George walking around the park in the opposite direction to where the group was running.
A few months earlier, George had undergone life-saving surgery for esophageal cancer and was taking a walk around the park every day or evening to help with his recovery.
On this particular occasion, however, as the group walked past George, it occurred to me that one of our guys, Bhaskar Kumar (Honorary Professor at the University of East Anglia) who is a specialist surgeon of esophagogastric cancer, was more than likely the surgeon who had operated on George.
However, it wasn’t until the session was over and we were heading to the parking lot that I pointed to George and said to Bhaskar, “I have a feeling you might know him.”
The next few seconds were priceless as Bhaskar stopped in his tracks before running towards George, who was also very emotional, repeatedly saying, “he saved my life, he saved my life.” I always said it was one of those memorable moments that you never forget.
Unfortunately, George has since passed away, but my contact with Bhaskar is still very regular, especially as I help him by giving him some training advice for what will be his first marathon, next March 16 in Rome. It’s something he said he would never do, although I told him one day he would take on the challenge of running the distance.
Needless to say, there is also a determining factor and it is very work-related.
Having recently attended the funeral of a patient he had operated on just under a year ago, before the disease returned despite surgery and chemotherapy, Bhaskar told me he felt he Now was the time for him to participate in an activity that would represent the courage, hope, perseverance and physical resilience demonstrated by his patients.
These are his words, not mine. He also said, “OG cancer affects not only the elderly but also the young. Avoidance behavior of seeking medical attention for symptoms such as difficulty swallowing food is a problem among middle-aged male patients, who account for the majority of cases. Gastric (stomach) cancer is often forgotten and remains the second to third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. A fact that is often overlooked.
It is these factors that remain the focus of his research at the University of East Anglia and NNUH. “As a specialist in esophagogastric cancer, I have spent most of my career caring for patients with this terrible disease and, although I have had the privilege of being at the forefront of successful treatment of a number of patients that I continue Today, in clinic, I have also witnessed the suffering and pain that OG cancer has caused many patients and their families.
So, all roads lead to Rome for Bhaskar this coming March, as he not only plans to run the 26.2 mile marathon, but would also like to raise more awareness about this horrible disease as well as raising money for the Norfolk Upper Gastrointestinal Fund and Norwich Hospitals Charity.
Knowing Bhaskar as I do, I know he will do the work required to not only complete the marathon, but also do it in a good time. The only thing you can be sure of is that he will always give 100% to whatever he puts his mind to. I should also mention that he is also a very high level tennis player. Going forward, keep watching this space as I’m sure you’ll hear more about Bhaskar’s journey over the coming months.
Speaking of marathons, my saying that “perfect pace makes for a perfect race” is never more relevant than when it comes to running at precise pace for 26.2 miles.
When you cross the starting line, if you want to run to the best of your ability, there is only one way to do it: know exactly where you are with your current fitness level and, of course, your abilities.
City of Norwich AC’s Logan Smith executed his marathon plan to perfection last Sunday in Frankfurt with an incredible run, finishing in two hours, 15 minutes and 49 seconds in what was his second race over the distance.
I have known Logan for many years and he really knows what it takes to prepare for an upcoming challenge. Mind and body, of course, with the help of his equally talented trainer, James Senior. My congratulations go to both of them.
