‘Fit and healthy’ postman’s back pain diagnosed as rare form of cancer

A “fit and healthy” postman’s life has been turned upside down after back pain turned out to be a rare form of cancer.

Kieran Mackenzie started suffering symptoms around three months ago, discovering that walking was becoming tough as his legs became numb.

The 24-year-old, from Wellington, was struggling to carry out his postal rounds and was eventually admitted to A&E at the start of July.

Extensive testing then revealed that he had Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumour (PNET), a cancer of the spinal cord and lungs.

Kieran had surgery on July 4 to reduce some of the pressure on his spine and has since started chemotherapy, which will last for five months.

His girlfriend of five years, Kelly Kemp, has been with him every step of the way.

She said: “This news has been absolutely devastating and a massive shock for everyone.

“He’s staying very strong and positive.

“It started a few months ago when he had a pain in his back.

“We thought it might have been his kidneys.

“It was getting worse and worse so he went to see the doctor – he couldn’t sleep.”

Kieran was eventually admitted to hospital after several visits to his GP, where a scan showed the PNET.

However, the cancer is so rare that the couple’s local hospital, Musgrove Park, in Taunton, can’t treat it.

This means Kieran is now receiving chemotherapy at the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre – 50 miles from home.

Kelly, 22, has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for her Kieran “to make life a little bit easier”.

“It’s amazing how much some people have given,” she said.

“We’re just trying to raise as much as we can. [The diagnosis] hasn’t really sunk in yet.

“It was definitely a shock.

“The Royal Mail has been amazing – his managers try to keep up to date.”

You can donate to Kieran’s GoFundMe by clicking here.

Got a story? Email jonathan.coles@reachplc.com.

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