One year on from FCR - and I feel great - CLL Support

CLL Support

22,368 members38,475 posts

One year on from FCR - and I feel great

MattGGibson profile image
13 Replies

Teachers in the UK return to work this week after our summer holiday. For me, a teacher returning to his 23rd 'Start of the year' this year I am reminded that this time a year ago I was having the last of my 6 cycles of FCR. Since then, I've led my school through an OFSTED inspection, travelled to Italy and Australia, returned to playing cricket every week this summer, run the London 10k in under an hour and raised £1000 in the process as well as lived a totally normal life; only the daily antibiotics would give a clue to my illness.

I post this not for any other reason other than to urge people to be positive and see the things you can do and not the things you can't. My doctor is convinced that that positive mindset is aiding me in my situation.

With September also being Blood cancer awareness month in the UK, here's to 'Living Well With CLL'

Best wishes to everyone

Matt

Written by
MattGGibson profile image
MattGGibson
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
13 Replies
gardening-girl profile image
gardening-girl

Matt, What an inspirational story! Thank you for sharing!

gardening-girl

MsLockYourPosts profile image
MsLockYourPostsPassed Volunteer

Have a great year, Matt! Thanks for the update!

UK-Sparky profile image
UK-Sparky

Wise words Matt and good luck with new school year demands!

UK Sparky

Jm954 profile image
Jm954Administrator

Matt, you were inspirational with your mindset going through your treatment and you continue to inspire me with this post. I’m so glad you’re living the best life you can.

Jackie

Gailandbert profile image
Gailandbert

Hi Matt

Such a great post . Totally brilliant.

Good to meet you at the 10k. We raised £23,000 !!!

That will pay for 2 /3 extra conferences . We will hopefully have 1 on a Saturday or in the school holidays so you can come if possible.

Best

Gail

charliegirl profile image
charliegirl

Dear Matt

How lovely to read such a positive post. I think a bit of your sunshine has touched me - and others too. It is so easy to post when things are not going well. Making the effort to post such a happy post when life is so busy, is harder.

Thank you for sharing it

Charlie Girl

Quarry profile image
Quarry

Great story and dedication to teaching. Whilst walking the dog this morning, my daughter was (again) mulling over what A-level choice to do.....and she came out with, 'I need to see Mr Gimson to ask advice' (an outstanding teacher at her school: he taught my son, but has never taught her)...I said, not Mr Gimson, but GOD Gimson! She agreed! A great teacher is totally invaluable. Enjoy the term!

lucyjack profile image
lucyjack

Love this post matt! So good and positive. You have tne right attitude to inspire others.

thankyou x

Senecio profile image
Senecio

I managed 34 years as a teacher. I was diagnosed the year after I retired. I now know that the then undiagnosed CLL impacted on my work for the last several years. I'm glad you are in the positive post FCR zone (also like me at the moment), and as I once said to another colleague: go out there and make a difference! It's a great job and I wish you all the best.

John

JustAGuy profile image
JustAGuy

Great time for your 10k! Last year I did a half marathon and was super happy with 2:06. I loved passing younger runners thinking "I bet they don't have leukemia"... It was a huge confidence booster for me and when I start feeling down, I mentally return to that run!

GMa27 profile image
GMa27

Awesome! Doing FCR now and doing good.

So good to hear!!

Ohannie236 profile image
Ohannie236

So glad you're doing well, Matt! Very inspiring to hear all of your doings. I'm due to finish my last round of FCR next week if my numbers have improved enough, so I take lots of courage from your words. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your good news, and I hope you and your family have a wonderful year! Prayers from Ohio.

casanova profile image
casanova

Great post. Have a good year and keep that positive attitude, an attitude I also try to maintain.

Maureen UK

You may also like...

CLL FCR update - 3 years on.

trial assessment 3 years on from commencement of FCR chemotherapy. As I was an avid reader and...

FCR-6plus years in remission - am I cured.

nature of CLL means I could stay in remission for years or next time be heading towards treatment....

One year from diagnosis/surgery/BR chemo start

I'm 11q so just waiting for things to come back around again. I try to live my life like everything...

Feeling worse after FCR treatment.

Anyone here had FCR treatment? I have post chemo questions. I have a question...post-chemo question.

End of the 7-year FLAIR trial in the FCR arm

Well, I’ve made it to the end of the 7-year FLAIR trial in the FCR chemoimmunotherapy arm (treated...