Chris Hoy's heartbreaking realisation about death after cancer diagnosis

Irish Daily Mirror

3 days ago

Chris Hoy has expressed his gratitude for the chance to appreciate life following his cancer diagnosis. The Olympic cycling hero disclosed last year that he is battling incurable Stage 4 prostate cancer and was given a prognosis of two to four years.
Since then, the 49 year old has handled his illness in an extraordinary manner, raising awareness to such an extent that nearly 5,000 additional men were referred for urological cancer in the six months after he spoke about his own diagnosis. However, there have been challenging times as well.
Just weeks after Hoy's heartbreaking news, his wife Sara found out she had multiple sclerosis. Despite this, both are preparing for the six-time gold medalist's mass-participation charity ride, Tour de 4, in September.
Hoy believes that even in the darkest situations, positives can emerge as he continues life with Sara and their four children. The opportunity to say goodbye has become a powerful reflection for the British icon.
Former Scottish cyclist and journalist Richard Moore is a figure Hoy thinks about a lot. Moore died in his sleep in 2022, aged 48, leaving behind his wife Virginie and five-year-old son Maxime.
Hoy delivered a eulogy for Moore, perhaps never imagining his own tragic news would arrive. But the cyclist has other contemporaries in mind now too in Scottish cycling coach Ivor Reid, track sprinter John Paul, who passed away suddenly aged 28, and former Scottish mountain bike champion Rab Wardell.
"They didn't get the chance [to say goodbye to their loved ones]," said Hoy in an interview with the Telegraph. "And in some respects you think: 'That's the ideal way to do it, just keep living until the lights are switched off.' But for the people who are left
"To be able to tell your loved ones what you feel about them, to appreciate what you've got, and yeah, for Richard, or for anybody who dies suddenly, to have 24 hours left on the planet, to be able to live that last day... you know, what would they have given for that? And therefore, for me, I think: 'Well, aren't I lucky?' Look at the privilege I've got, the time to really appreciate life." Sir Chris Hoy has spoken about his terminal cancer diagnosis (Image: 2013 Getty Images)
Asked for the advice he would offer others as they go through difficult moments, Hoy suggested remaining in the moment is crucial. Fear of the future is one of the more difficult struggles to endure.
He said: "I think when it gets tough, when it gets really tough, it's bringing yourself back to the exact moment you're in and recognising 'Can I keep going another 10 seconds? Can I deal with what I'm going through right now? I'm here, I'm breathing, my kids are next door sleeping, they're OK.'
"It's the fear of the future that causes anxiety and stress for most people. So it's not allowing yourself to fast forward and try and predict what's going to happen because you never know."
And Hoy is still exploring the possibility that stage four cancer will one day be treatable. The Scot's cancer is currently stable and he has visited Professor Dr Chris Evans, a specialist whose remit is focusing on creating cancer prevention and diagnostics solutions.
Hoy admitted he is 'always looking at the new options coming out'. "When it [his treatment] stops being effective I will look to other treatments that are available, hopefully there are a few waiting in the wings," he said. Sir Chris Hoy was diagnosed eith terminal cancer last year (Image: Getty Images)