thedrifter
04-13-06, 07:43 AM
Soldier's biggest battle
SEAN Cain loves a challenge and the bigger the better.
That's why he joined the Royal Marines.
Now he has set himself the toughest test of his life – to overcome the dibilitating effects of cancer treatment and scale Kilimanjaro.
His determination to succeed is all the more remarklable because last summer he was given just a fortnight to live. The brave soldier is planning to climb the highest mountain in Africa in spite of suffering from bone and lung cancer.
Sean, 23, of Cumberford Hill, Bloxham, is determined to overcome the effects of surgery and chemotherapy to complete the climb and raise cash for a cancer charity.
"Doctors told me I would never walk properly again and certainly not run. But even though they removed most of my femur and hip and took away a lot of thigh muscle I am running and training hard," he said.
"For certain I am going to be on the top of Kilimanjaro in October.
"I have received so much treatment and care I would like to give something back to Cancer Research UK. I chose to do the Kilimanjaro trek because it is the hardest one offered by the charity's international challenges. I don't like doing anything easy," said Sean.
The former Banbury School pupil was diagnosed with an osteosarcoma in his right leg last July and given two weeks to live.
He underwent surgery to remove the diseased bone which was replaced with a titanium rod.
Although surgeons successfully removed the cancer, further scans revealed it had spread to his lungs.
Sean, who joined the Royal Marines after leaving school, said: "Being diagnosed was the worst thing in the world. To go from being really active to being told I wouldn't be able to walk properly again was shattering."
He has been undergoing intensive chemotherapy at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, but in February specialists decided they could do no more for him and referred him to University College Hospital in London for further treatment.
More concentrated chemotherapy was prescribed and by the end of this month, Sean will have completed the course.
He then hopes to concentrate on fundraising for the October trek to Tanzania to make the epic climb.
He needs to raise at least £4,000 to be able to embark on the expedition run by Cancer Research UK.
Among his fundraising ideas he plans to organise non-school uniform days at Banbury School, events with the help of his Royal Marines colleagues and possibly a sponsored training run up Snowdon.
Sean is being supported by his family and partner of three years, Danielle Phipps.
"The doctors are fine about his plans," she said.
"It's quite a few months away and he's very determined to succeed.
"He might be having an operation to remove the tumour from his lung this summer but he bounces back quickly. He's a Royal Marine. Once he has set himself a challenge he is determined to do it."
Anyone wishing to sponsor Sean can call him or his partner Danielle Phipps with donation offers on 01295 720954 or email seancainrm@yahoo.com.
13 April 2006
SEAN Cain loves a challenge and the bigger the better.
That's why he joined the Royal Marines.
Now he has set himself the toughest test of his life – to overcome the dibilitating effects of cancer treatment and scale Kilimanjaro.
His determination to succeed is all the more remarklable because last summer he was given just a fortnight to live. The brave soldier is planning to climb the highest mountain in Africa in spite of suffering from bone and lung cancer.
Sean, 23, of Cumberford Hill, Bloxham, is determined to overcome the effects of surgery and chemotherapy to complete the climb and raise cash for a cancer charity.
"Doctors told me I would never walk properly again and certainly not run. But even though they removed most of my femur and hip and took away a lot of thigh muscle I am running and training hard," he said.
"For certain I am going to be on the top of Kilimanjaro in October.
"I have received so much treatment and care I would like to give something back to Cancer Research UK. I chose to do the Kilimanjaro trek because it is the hardest one offered by the charity's international challenges. I don't like doing anything easy," said Sean.
The former Banbury School pupil was diagnosed with an osteosarcoma in his right leg last July and given two weeks to live.
He underwent surgery to remove the diseased bone which was replaced with a titanium rod.
Although surgeons successfully removed the cancer, further scans revealed it had spread to his lungs.
Sean, who joined the Royal Marines after leaving school, said: "Being diagnosed was the worst thing in the world. To go from being really active to being told I wouldn't be able to walk properly again was shattering."
He has been undergoing intensive chemotherapy at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, but in February specialists decided they could do no more for him and referred him to University College Hospital in London for further treatment.
More concentrated chemotherapy was prescribed and by the end of this month, Sean will have completed the course.
He then hopes to concentrate on fundraising for the October trek to Tanzania to make the epic climb.
He needs to raise at least £4,000 to be able to embark on the expedition run by Cancer Research UK.
Among his fundraising ideas he plans to organise non-school uniform days at Banbury School, events with the help of his Royal Marines colleagues and possibly a sponsored training run up Snowdon.
Sean is being supported by his family and partner of three years, Danielle Phipps.
"The doctors are fine about his plans," she said.
"It's quite a few months away and he's very determined to succeed.
"He might be having an operation to remove the tumour from his lung this summer but he bounces back quickly. He's a Royal Marine. Once he has set himself a challenge he is determined to do it."
Anyone wishing to sponsor Sean can call him or his partner Danielle Phipps with donation offers on 01295 720954 or email seancainrm@yahoo.com.
13 April 2006