On the work front Ken has been an electrician, managed a model shop ("Morley Models"), he's been a shop fitter and most recently a postman. Outside of work he's been a morris dancer, radio control car racer, motor sport marshall, parish councillor, tropical fish fan and a talented artist. So it's no wonder that folk all over Yorkshire and let's face the UK recognise him.

So why a page for Ken? It's so that anyone out there wanting to know how Ken is getting along can find out what's happening. Last year Ken started to mutter about "Something going round that I can't shake off". So much so that on a dance out in July at the Woolpack at Whitely Willows Ken was rolling up his sashes as the last dance came up; which is not like hime at all. A few days later at Barwick in Elmet Steve, the team medic, said Ken really should get his problem sorted out or to put it another way "You're losing weight too fast mate".

That "something going round" turned out to be a massive tumour attached to Ken's kidney. In October Ken went into Pinderfields hospital for surgery to remove the kidney and the tumour. In December we thought we had good news, the surgery had removed the tumour and Ken was all clear. So on Boxing Day up at the Kings Arms on Heath Common Ken, Aileen and Fiona were there. Although Ken was not dancing it was probably just as well as an army of friends wanted to welcome him back and wish him well on his way to a full recovery.

Through January Ken was building up his strength and looking forward to getting back to dancing. He was even looking forward to getting back to work, as one of the folk on his round put it "Ken's not just my postie he's my friend". Then in February came a hard blow. On what should have been a routine post-op check up Ken was told he had a tumour on his remaining kidney. The proposed treatment was drug based with two options either Interferon or Sutent. The decision on which treatment was to be offered would come in three weeks.

Ken and Aileen went back after three weeks and were told the decision was still open and could they come back in another week. As Ken stoically put it "At least they're still discussing it". One week later Ken was told that he was not being offered the surgeons preferred choice of Sutent. The advice Ken got was to appeal against the decision, a procedure which should take two weeks. So that takes us to the 17th of March.

17th March - Ken has been told that the older, and cheaper, treatment "Interferon" is the offer on the table. The latest, and more expensive, treatment "Sutent" is not being recommended. As far as we know no clinical reason was offered for this. Yet 77 Primary Care Trusts around the UK use "Sutent" as a first line treatment. Scotland which was undecided on the issue has now come down on the side of "Sutent". The latest we have is that "Look North" want to interview Ken and Aileen and give some publicity to this issue. OK the NHS cannot be a bottomless pit as far as funding goes. But why squander millions on doomed computer projects? Why pay out thousands to executives who's management abilities are suspect? Why lock our hospitals into years of payments to PFI projects? Why not actually direct money to where it might do some good?

It looks like this really is an issue of cost. Sutent is reported to be a more effective treatment but costs more than Interferon. If you live in Wales, Shropshire or Northumbria you would get Sutent for the treatment of this rare cancer without question. So why is Yorkshire dragging it's heels? Ken's friends in Wakefield Morris are doing what we can, writing to MPs, contacting pressure groups and campaigners. We want every patient to get the best treatment available and that includes our friend Ken. If you can help or if you just want to send a message to Ken and Aileen then contact us by E-mail

20th March Ken went for his first dose of "Interferon" and another example of poor communication shows up in this saga. Ken has a schedule of treatment that is at odds with the one the nurse has. One long phone call later and the problem still hangs in the air. Ken and the nurse(!) decide to opt for the version where he starts on three half doses at one day intervals. Meanwhile Ken tells us that whilst he was waiting for the decision on Monday a patient was given a prescription for "Sutent" so if Yorkshire prescribe it and his medics recommend it why has he not got it? Why will no one tell him?
Meanwhile "Look North" have rung asking if they could do an item on Kens case. This follows Meg contacting them with the details. Problem is they want to film on Tuesday and Ken is due in for a medical check that day. As an aside Ken seems to bet treatment from Leeds. Wakefield, Pinderfields and Clayton, and also Pontefract. Once again WHY?

25th March Ken went in for his third "Interferon" dose yesterday and in spite of the deal made was given a full dose which left him groggy all night. In for his medical check today he and Aileen came out and went ahead with an interview with "Look North" in the afternoon. Ken says Penny Bustin was terrific and stayed for one and a half hours to get the story sorted out. Speaking to Meg Penny said that the PCT when contacted reckoned that Ken's case was still under consideration!
Just after 4:00pm Ken rang Meg to say that he had been contacted by the PCT and told that he WOULD GET the "Sutent" treatment after all and that they understood "he had been concerned about waiting for a decision". He now has to wait two weeks with no treatment and then they will start him on the course of treatment. The probabilities of hitting the cancer are I gather; "Interferon" 5%, "Sutent" 40%. So some better news there. But what is the truth? Was the decision still open? Did the prospect of media coverage stir some middle manager into action? Why the two week delay - clinical requirement or putting the treatment into a new financial year? Whatever the answers our resolutly cheery Ken should now get the treatment his consultant recommended back in February. So lets all keep thinking positive OK?

20th April - Ken is now well into the first phase of the Sutent treatment and not suffering too much with side effects. Still keeping weight on and blood count is OK so it looks as if the treatment is effective. But the tumour has grown and it will take onother scan to see how things are going.
One thing that is for sure is that if positive mental attitude has any effect on this disease then Ken is right out in front on that score. The St. Georges day parade in Morley found Ken out in rig and dancing at each of the three spots we did for the event. Just the one dance at each mind you as the team around him wanted to be certain he stayed warm and didn't over do things! And anyway when not dancing Ken seemed to find someone in the crowd to talk to - as usual. He and Aileen are of on their hols shortly so we'll see how he is when he get's back.

3rd May - OK just before toddling off on his hols Ken got the offer of a lift to Whitby for the Moor and Coast Festival. So June picked him and Aileen up for the drive to the coast on the Saturday and may have been a little surpised to find Ken had decided to go ready to dance. So I think we rationed the lad to just one dance at each spot and it worked for him and for us. The sight of a set of twelve down at the Dock End giving "Horbury Polka" an airing as the final dance of the day was magic, especially as Ken was in there doing what Wakelfield do best - enjoying the dance.

29th May Ken and Aileen dropped by at the last practice session in the hall before we start on our summer dance out programme. They enjoyed the holiday even though on a trip back to Wakefield for a blood test Ken was told his blood count had dropped. So he's in for a transfusion to sort that out or as Ken puts it "I'm having a top up". And as Aileen points out after more than twenty five years of paying in, now Ken gets to withdraw some from the blood bank. Shades of Tony Hancock!

21st June Seems a while since I did an update to this page. Ken spent most of the Horbury Street Fayre day with us catching up with the news and gossip. Since the last update Ken has had the benefit of a support pillow which the team bought for him. He reckons that it's a real help as sitting up unsupported had been a bit of a hassle recently. A recent reaction to a chilli based sauce bought some descriptions which we'd rather avoid if possible. Aileen assures us that the house is now stripped of spicy foods and "himself" will be on a bland diet form now on!
Ken's next model project is a Scarborough fishing smack for which a trip to the seaside is necessary. Any excuse if you ask me. As he has now left the gainful employ of the Post Office he has returned his posties outfit - but still insists on wearing shorts in all weathers. For detail of the Street Fayre weather see the diary page for 2008. Anyway the week coming up sees Ken in for some more tests before he starts his next course of treatment with the Sutent so we'll keep our fingers crossed and wait and see how he's coming on. As always Ken is as chipper as can be so if positive mental attitude comes into the equation he's well ahead of the game.

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