A former airline pilot of 35 years has embarked on a 320-mile (520km) charity cycle ride from Royal Papworth Hospital to his home in the Republic of Ireland, just 13 months after having lifesaving specialist lung surgery.
Conor Keeling (60) was waved off from our hospital by the surgeon who led his procedure alongside specialist nurses, doctors and other NHS staff who cared for him.
Surgeon Mr John Taghavi (second left) and staff from Royal Papworth cheer Conor (centre) on his way
In March 2024, Conor underwent pulmonary endarterectomy surgery at Royal Papworth, a highly complex and specialised surgical operation that saw the blood vessels of his lungs cleared of clot and scar material.
This is a curative treatment for people who have chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), a relatively rare disease that occurs in about 2% of people after a pulmonary embolism. This is when blood clots in the lungs do not fully resolve, blocking the arteries in the lungs and restricting blood flow.
Conor wearing a t-shirt displaying an image of the clot and scar material removed from the blood vessels of his lungs
Conor explained: “I am a very lucky man. In summer 2022 I suddenly found myself suffering with fatigue, breathlessness at any exertion and unable to climb a single set of stairs.
“I was diagnosed with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and lost medical clearance for my career as a pilot, meaning I had to retire as a transatlantic captain.
“I had this complex surgery and the surgeons and nursing staff were wonderful. The care I received at Royal Papworth was top class and I remember everyone always asking ‘how are you doing?’.
“I am happy to say I am back in good health. I now have my own business and I’m busy.”
Conor with Mr John Taghavi, consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at Royal Papworth Hospital
Conor’s operation was performed by a multi-disciplinary surgical team led by consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, Mr John Taghavi.
Mr Taghavi said: “It’s fantastic to see Conor today and to be able to cheer him off on his cycle ride.
“I remember him very well and he has done phenomenally with his recovery.
“As a team this is what we live for, to make a difference to someone and to get them back to a quality of life that they’re enjoying. It’s amazing to see and it makes everything worthwhile.
“We wish him the very best of luck.”
Conor’s cycle ride home to Malahide in County Dublin is raising money for Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK (PHA UK). He aims to arrive home on Bank Holiday Monday (5 May), which coincides with World Pulmonary Hypertension Day.
Dr Iain Armstrong is Chair of PHA UK:
“We’re really grateful that Conor has chosen to support our charity with this challenge. Cycling such a distance is a huge achievement for anyone, and it is even more remarkable that he is undertaking this just a year after his surgery. On behalf of everyone in our pulmonary hypertension community, we wish Conor the very best of luck.”
Conor’s journey will take him from Cambridge to Malahide via Kettering, Burton-upon-Trent, Stoke-on-Trent, Chester and Holyhead, before crossing the Irish Sea and home to Malahide in County Dublin. You can sponsor him here.