Paul O'Byrne regrets to inform you........
This is the hardest post I've ever had to publish. The following email from Paul O'Byrne was sent out on May 14, 2007 to his VeraSage colleagues.
Many of you know Paul, have heard him speak, read his case studies, or just know about the incredibly innovative things that his firm, O'Byrne & Kennedy (OBK), are doing.
This email demonstrates Paul's indomitable spirit. Everyone wishes him well and a speedy recovery.
Dear fellow Fellows,I know I don't write much (but Hey, I talk a lot!) butthere's something I need to tell you. Sorry about theimpersonal method of a bulk email, but I'm sure you'llunderstand.
I've not been feeling well since I came back from mytwo weeks in Australia in March. I mostly put it down todoing too much on that trip; it was jam-packed.
Anyway I've been to my family doctor practice a fewtimes and three weeks ago I got impatient and found aconsultant who gave me some tests (failed!) andreferred me for an ultrasound scan...then a CT scan.
The CT scan confirmed that I have advanced renal cellcarcinoma with metastasis (secondaries) in my liver.Not good.
Not at all good. My right kidney is doing sterlingwork on its own but some of my liver function is badlyimpaired. Everyone is surprised how advanced it all isgiven I have none of the classic symptoms. They sayI'm special! So special, neither surgery nor full-onchemotherapy is on offer. Instead, I'll be starting adrug treatment, Sutent, that is aimed at getting meinto remission and holding there.
Apart from that, I'm very well! I look well; I feelvery positive and energetic and am looking forward toa reasonable quality of life once I get used to thedrugs. I've always followed a carpe diem philosophy—waaaay before it was fashionable. This has happened,what matters now is how I deal with it. I'm choosingto be determined to do what I want and not be avictim. Strong-willed I call it (my wife says:stubborn)
I decided from the start that once I told my family(also magnificent) I would be very open with everyoneabout all this and hope they don't (to use anaccounting term) write me off. Obviously, as I haveno clues at present how I am going to be, when I mightbe back fit after the initial effects and what willhappen long-term. But I really want to continuedoing what I have come to love these past seven years:travelling all over and engaging with fellowprofessionals and helping them change their way ofworking, to the benefit of themselves, their firms andtheir clients as we have done at OBK.
Sorry to write at such length, and to drop such abombshell, but I want to be honest—and I don't wantto be written off before my time.
I hope to be irritating fellow professionals aroundthe globe for a few more years yet, though I may haveto cut down on all my blogging activity!
Don't be shy to say Hi!
Paul