Comedian, writer, actor Tim Key has talked frankly about his treatment for cancer. Key was talking to Adam Buxton on the latter's podcast and recalled a health scare that started in 2018.
After a gig on tour Key's agent was contacted by a fan who was also a doctor and had seen a lesion on Key's leg when he was performing in shorts. The doctor suggested that Key get it checked out and the specialist said he needed to have it cut out on the same day.
"I said 'can we do it on Monday because I need to go to Norwich?'. I was rattled. Norwich was the last date of the tour. I thought, well I'll finish the tour then and off it comes."
On the Monday he got it removed and walked home. "They cut it out under local anaesthetic." Then he did the Latitude Festival and went back and they said they needed to do a further excision (sic). "They were looking to see if it was a melanoma. They said I should go in with a pal so I went in with Alex Horne. I think it's because they were going to tell me I've got cancer. He's perfect for that because he has a good sense of humour."
"The specialist said it was malignant and it's an interesting thing to hear. You are thinking 'I hope I'm not in danger and it's not a nice phone call to your parents'. Anyway it was all fine, but then I did go to Edinburgh and I think I was slightly ratlled."
On his return they did the second incision to make sure they had removed everything. Then there was a course of medication – "that was the bit that fried my head the most" – which involved oral chemotherapy which lasted a year.
"There's definitely bits where you are up and down in conversations and feeling a little bit behind," Key told Buxtpn. The pills could have had side effects such as ear bleeding, but Key only had tiredness and once had to go to A&E with a fever.
"I felt very fortunate in the grand scheme of things because its a broad church cancer and mine looked very survivable." He had to have monthly check ups in Mount Vernon Hospital in Rickmansworth. "And in a weird way I quite liked that day. You feel like you are in the right place." He had regular MRI and CT scans and after a year had his last scans and pills and was given the all clear. Afterwards he would go to the Waitrose and get a Swiss bun. "If you want to really enjoy a Swiss bun have a melanoma."
Key last went for a check up just before Christmas and was told he was "good enough for a year". "The doctor calls me 'boss'. It doesn't make it worth it if that's what you are asking. but it adds the shine onto it. I'd hate to find out she is doing it to other people."
Listen to the interview with Adam Buxton here and where you usually get your podcasts.
See what else Tim Key is up to here.
