Kevin Armstrong - Age: 46

"We all get two lives... we start living the second one when we realise we just have one" - Kevin Armstrong

When Kev was diagnosed in April 2019 with stage 4 metastatic CCA aged just 46, our world just stopped. Kev was a very healthy man with a well-balanced lifestyle and a family.

Soon enough it became very serious. Kev's oncologist delivered the devastating prognosis: 6-12 months. I'll never forget the numbness that ran through me & shock... hearing Kev's reply, "Is there anything you can do? I don't want to die".
We fell into each other's arms and cried.
I wanted to understand what Cholangiocarcinoma was.

I found AMMF and was soon communicating with people who were in the same shoes as us, I wanted to know their story and their treatment plans and spent many hours researching.

Kev's safe place was to bury his head it really worked well for us both. Kev always said, "you just tell me what I've gotta do and I'll do it."

He trusted me to take charge of everything. Our whole outlook on life quickly changed! Kev was all of a sudden "vulnerable" and relied upon me, whereas before he always protected me and our children.

Genetic testing enabled us to have a new treatment that targets the FGFR gene alterations. Kev was the first person at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre to start Pemigatinib, a treatment I fought hard to get! We were fortunate to have this before NHS England & NICE guidelines approved Pemigatinib. The pharmaceutical company 'Incyte' gifted Kevin his treatment through their 'Early access' scheme, it was our only chance to "keep kicking the can down the road". We were very fortunate to have another 12 months together as a family.

Kev was the strongest and bravest man throughout his illness, always smiling & remaining positive. AMMF has been a valuable source with a tremendous amount of support, not just for us, but for the wider community & countries with people also dealing with CCA. These incredible people who strive to find better treatments and research for better outcomes give us hope that one day there will be a cure.

Kevin passed away at home on 04.08.2022 wrapped in my arms. He fought for 3 years and 4 months.

As I try to navigate my way through this dark tunnel please remember:
Love, hope and positivity will always carry you through...
Michaela Armstrong