“It was like I was in a nightmare” – Sir Chris Hoy shares moment he was diagnosed with terminal cancer

Two weeks ago, British cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy shared the tragic news that his cancer is terminal, leaving him with only a few years to live. In a recent in-depth interview with the BBC, Hoy opened up about his journey since being diagnosed with prostate cancer, which has now spread to his bones, and the profound impact it has had on his life and mindset.

“I had no symptoms, no warning. Absolutely nothing. The only thing I felt was some pain in my shoulder and ribs. I thought it was probably due to the gym. It was the biggest shock of my life. I can still remember the feeling. I walked back home in a daze. I just couldn’t believe it, let alone place it,” Hoy said, recalling the moment of his diagnosis.

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Hoy described how the news initially sent him into disbelief. “It wasn’t until halfway through that I wondered where I was. Then I started thinking: how am I going to tell my wife Sarra and the children? It was like I was in a nightmare. Later I got the news that I was terminally ill and only had a few years to live. The moment you hear that, your whole life flashes before your eyes. It’s really unreal. I wanted to leave the hospital as soon as possible, away from all the misery. But then you realize that you can’t run away.”

The former Olympian also reflected on the difficult experience of undergoing chemotherapy. “The chemo sessions were truly hell. I was not ready for such torture. During a session, I did not have those two hours in mind, but one minute. Then I looked at the seconds on the clock. If I could hold out for one minute, the next one would also work. It is only in such a situation that you discover how strong a person can be. What you are capable of.”

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Hoy’s battle has provided him with a new perspective on life, including his storied career in cycling. “Then you also immediately put cycling into perspective. 'My God, that was actually just some fun', you realize. The stakes are much higher now. At the moments when I was riding for Olympic gold, it felt like life and death. But that is really the case now. But the principle is the same. What it's about is that you have to focus on things that you can control. And not worry about things that you can't control.”

Adding to their challenges, Hoy’s wife, Sarra, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last year. Reflecting on their shared struggles, Hoy said, “At that moment, only the children kept us going. We still want to be there for them. If I hadn’t had that goal, it would have been really, really hard. But that’s why you’re a team as a family. You support each other. And that’s how we keep going. Sarra is doing well. There is treatment for her illness. She has medication to combat her illness and I also have medication for mine. So we can only count ourselves lucky, can’t we?”

Chris Hoy's story is one of true bravery, the importance of family, and focusing on what truly matters when facing life’s toughest battles.

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