Trekking for Cancer

How have you been training for this trek?

I’m fortunate to work in the lower blue mountains, this has given me the opportunity to get out at lunchtimes for a quick 5 or 6 km run most days and more recently the chance to spend my lunchtime hour pack walking as many hills as I can.

What do you think will be the biggest challenge for you during the trek?

The Kokoda track is considered extremely challenging, around 100km through an incredibly rugged mountain range, topped with extreme humidity. For me I think the challenge will be mental, pushing myself through the physical discomfort up the next hill and the next and the next after that.

How did the Pink Finss help Cathie during her treatment?

We were very fortunate to have strong support from our friends during Cath’s primary treatment, however there were some things we couldn’t help her with, that’s when PINK FINSS became invaluable to us. They gave her the opportunity to talk to others who we’re going through or had been through a similar experience. They put her in touch with mental health professionals when she was struggling and they kept in touch to see if we needed anything. It is amazing how just knowing there are people there if you need them can help.

How has your outlook on life changed since Cathie’s diagnosis?

Cath’s diagnosis has changed both of us significantly, it is a life altering event and has certainly changed our outlook on life.  It has made us realise that life is about the experiences you have, the relationships you form, not the wealth or objects you gather.

While it’s a little cliché to say, it has made us realise that life is incredibly short so make every second count. Don’t dwell on the past, don’t think too much into the future, live for today. 

If there is something you want to do or try, don’t just talk about it, do it. Things can change quickly and you may not get the chance if you wait too long.

What has been the most challenging thing for you since Cathie’s diagnosis?

Cath’s diagnosis with stage 3 breast cancer in July 2021 was the beginning of the most difficult period I have faced in my life, while nothing compared to those going through cancer I found myself physically and emotionally drained for much of the first 12 months.  After 28 years of marriage and raising 7 children together I was faced with losing the most precious Person in my life.

I found it incredibly challenging to support Cath through 18 months of primary treatment, support our 7 children through what was happening, while still going to work and trying to remain positive.

For most of my life Cath had been the person I could go to for support, but during this period she had enough on her plate without my issues as well and being a typical Male I didn’t know how to seek help and felt that if I did it would somehow be seen as weak. So while on the outside I was able to maintain the impression of being a strong supportive husband, internally I was definitely struggling.

Why did you feel the need to challenge yourself in this way?

I have wanted to trek Kokoda since I was in the navy during my twenties and had planned to in 2019 but COVID put an end to any thought of doing it.   When Cath’s primary treatment finished at the end of 2022 I decided that I needed to do it, simply because I may never get the chance again and if I could raise a small amount of money for PINK FINSS then that made it even better.

 

To support Kevin on his Kokoda trek please go to https://www.mycause.com.au/p/304588/kokoda-trek-for-pink-finss-cancer-patient-support