SIR Chris Hoy has revealed his cancer “feels like drowning” as his wife was left “in a daze of shock” by the double blow of her MS diagnosis.
Britain’s most successful Olympian, 48, revealed his terminal prognosis at the weekend after announcing in February that he had been diagnosed with cancer.
Six-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy with his wife Sarra[/caption]
His wife Sarra, 40, was also diagnosed with a “very reactive and aggressive” type of MS.
In excerpts published by The Sunday Times of Hoy’s autobiography All That Matters he spoke about the moment he learned he had cancer.
Hoy said: “The doctor turns the screen to me to reveal the scan in all its grainy detail and the tumour that is currently in my shoulder.
“Hearing the word ‘cancer’ has had an immediate and profound effect on me, and not just me.
“In one short moment, life has changed irrevocably.”
He described the “dark moments” in the early days of his treatment as a “drowning sensation”, but added that he’s become better able to cope.
The six-time Olympic gold medallist also opened up about learning Sarra had MS.
She’d been told her diagnosis over the phone a month before she broke the news to Hoy.
Hoy said: “I immediately broke down, distraught both by the news and the fact she’d received it without me there.”
He explained that Sarra went to her own appointment just seven days after his cancer diagnosis in a “daze of shock”.
Hoy had said in a previous interview with the Sunday Times: “You know, we were all born and we all die, and this is just part of the process.
“You remind yourself, aren’t I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible?”
His diagnosis came after his father and grandfather were both diagnosed with prostate cancer.
In September 2023, a doctor delivered the awful news to Hoy that he had Stage 4 cancer.
What was first diagnosed as a tumour in his shoulder, the primary cancer was located in his prostate.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Symptoms of prostate cancer can include:
- Needing to pee more frequently, often during the night
- Needing to rush to the toilet
- Difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy)
- Straining or taking a long time while peeing
- Weak flow
- Feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
- Blood in urine or blood in semen
Source: NHS
It had then unfortunately spread to his bones, pelvis, hip, spine, shoulder and rib.
Medics have given Hoy two to four years to live.
Sarra’s condition was spotted when she went for a scan after experiencing a tingling sensation in her face and tongue.
The Scottish cycling hero shared a touching video on social media just days ago.
He thanked fans for their support following his devastating diagnosis.
The cyclist said in the video: “Hi everyone, I just wanted to share an update about my health, after telling you that I was receiving treatment for cancer.
“I’m so grateful to everyone for their incredible kindness and support.
“You have heard by now that I’m ready to share that my cancer is stage 4: I will be living with it for the rest of my life.
“Now it’s not the news anyone imagines hearing, and it obviously came as a huge shock.
“We’ve taken time to process it as a family and I now have a deep resolve to turn this incredibly difficult diagnosis into something more positive that can help not just me, but anyone anywhere living with stage 4.”
Chris Hoy and wife Sarra attend the GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2021[/caption]
Hoy in Copenhagen, Denmark, 2010[/caption]
The couple at BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2022[/caption]
