One of Swansea’s best-loved artists is delighted with the news that he is completely cancer-free. Kev Jones, currently playing Dame Penny Pockets in Swansea Grand Theatre’s annual Cinderella pantomime, will take to the stage with an extra step after calling his oncologist to say his latest scans showed no signs of any illness.
On Thursday, December 28, she told her followers on the social media platform The 62-year-old recently revealed how he has been treated for the illness over the past 18 months. She was initially told her stage four cancer was incurable, but after immunotherapy treatment and then surgery, she is now cancer free.
A routine blood test in March 2021 revealed an iron deficiency, and a subsequent CT scan revealed he had an unexplained mass in one of his kidneys that the doctor said looked ominous. You can read the full story of his diagnosis and his life with the disease by clicking here. AND For the latest Swansea news, sign up to our newsletter here.
READ MORE: Kev Jones wonders if he will watch Christmas after learning his cancer is incurable
READ MORE: We went to see the great Welsh pantos and Christmas shows to see how good they are
(Image: Phil Rees)
Speaking to WalesOnline before taking to the stage for the day’s panto performances, Kev said of the latest news: “There was nothing to suggest there wouldn’t be a result, but it’s always a relief. Do you always have that nagging doubt of wondering if there is something there? I am still completing my treatment and will continue to have tests every three months to be sure. The service is absolutely fantastic, I have never experienced this level of service in my life, it was incredible. And it’s not just me, everyone gets this kind of attention. They are the most incredible people, they had two employees (chemo ward) who paid to make coats out of material with a Christmas print, just to make people smile at Christmas and they did it with money from their own pockets and off their shoulders
(Image: Swansea Bay University Health Board)
“It was the best news I could have received and my wife and family are thrilled. I have always valued life and I think anyone who knows me will say that even during treatment I remained very positive and always very happy. I lost between four and a half and five kilos of weight and now I feel great. It makes you value life a little more and also values the friends you have.
“Yesterday we did our Secret Santa in the panto and Sam Thomas (who plays Cinderella in the panto) accepted me and made a big effort to get in touch with lots of friends who I work with now and have worked with in the past and charities, which I I was working with her to send a little message and she made a container of messages so you can get one every day, but I read them all last night and I was actually crying. She told me to read one a day, so now I have to avoid her because I’ve read them all. It’s like Christmas morning when you get four out of five yearbooks and read them all before 8 p.m. Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest news.
Source: Wales Online
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
