Phil Reeve Driving Instructor

04/09/2026

A little update from me

It’s been nearly a month since my operation on 7th August, so I thought it was time to let everyone know where things currently stand and what happens next.

The biggest bit of good news is that the surgery was successful and I’ve now been told that the bowel itself is cancer-free. After everything that’s happened over the last few months, hearing those words was a massive moment for me and my family.

Recovery is still very much ongoing. I’m getting stronger, but recovering from an 8-hour operation definitely isn’t something you can rush.

I’m also continuing to get used to life with my temporary stoma -something I certainly never expected to be dealing with, but which is gradually becoming part of everyday life.

Unfortunately, this isn’t quite the end of the road yet.

There is still the lesion on my liver that needs dealing with, and I’ll also need chemotherapy, both to reduce the risk of the bowel cancer returning and to tackle the liver lesion.

I’m now waiting for oncology to put together the exact treatment plan. After chemotherapy, the next steps regarding my liver will depend on how everything responds, with further treatment such as ablation or surgery potentially being considered.

I’ve also been told that I cannot drive for 6–8 weeks following the operation. Although I'm starting to feel more like myself, I'm still not able to return to work as a driving instructor.

Getting back to teaching isn't just about being able to sit behind the wheel. I need to be fit and strong enough to teach safely and, if necessary, use the dual controls in an emergency.

For now, the plan is simple: recover, get stronger, meet oncology and then take on the next stage of treatment. One step at a time.

I also want to give a very special thank you to my wife, Laura

While I've been recovering, she has quite literally been doing everything — looking after me, looking after the kids, keeping the house and family going and generally picking up all the things that I've simply not been able to do.

I know the last few months haven't been easy for her either, and I genuinely don't know what I would have done without her.

I also want to say a massive thank you to Gary Battison who took it upon himself to set up the GoFundMe for me and my family.

Being self-employed and suddenly finding myself unable to work was one of my biggest worries when all of this started. What Gary did, and the incredible generosity everyone has shown since, has taken some of that pressure away at a time when we really needed it. I'll never forget that.

And to every single person who has donated, shared the GoFundMe, messaged me, checked in or offered help - thank you.

Sometimes it's difficult to properly put into words just how much that support means.

There’s still a way to go, and chemotherapy is obviously the next big hurdle, but compared with where I was a month ago, 've got a hell of a lot to be grateful for.

Bowel surgery done. Bowel cancer removed. Recovery underway. Oncology and chemotherapy next.

One stage at a time. I'll get there.

Thank you everyone.

Phil

Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It steals your time, takes away y… Gary Battison needs your support for Support Phil Reeve’s Family in His Fight Against Cancer

27/08/2026

Just wanted to give everyone a little update on how things are going.

It’s now nearly three weeks since my operation, and thankfully I’m home and recovering. The operation itself took around 8 hours, and I’m pleased to say the bowel tumour was successfully removed.

I’m slowly getting stronger each day and managing to get out for short walks, although I’m definitely learning that recovery is a marathon rather than a sprint! I’m also getting much more used to life with my temporary ileostomy, which has been a big adjustment but is gradually becoming part of the normal routine.

There is still more treatment ahead. The next stage is dealing with the small spot on my liver, and I’m expecting chemotherapy to be part of that treatment. The doctors have made it clear that the aim is still to cure me, which is obviously the most important thing.

I’m not going to pretend the last few months have been easy, and there are still days when everything feels like a lot. But compared with where I was immediately after surgery, I can definitely see the progress I’m making.

I want to give a particular thank you to Laura Reeve. She has been absolutely incredible throughout all of this and has done so much for me and our family, especially since I came home from hospital. She’s been looking after me, helping me with everything I need and keeping everything else going at the same time. I genuinely don’t know how I would have got through these last few weeks without her.

I also want to give a massive thank you to Gary Battison for setting up the GoFundMe in the first place. I never expected to find myself in a position where something like this would be needed, and asking for help doesn’t come naturally to me. What Gary did, and the response it has received, has taken a huge amount of pressure off us while I’m unable to work.

And of course, thank you to every single person who has donated, shared the GoFundMe, sent messages, called or simply checked in on me. Being self-employed and unable to work while I recover and go through treatment has been a massive worry, and the support we’ve received genuinely means more than I can put into words.

For now, my job is pretty simple — recover, get stronger and get myself ready for the next stage of treatment.

One step at a time. I’ll get there.

Thank you again everyone. ❤️

https://gofund.me/c581832c7

22/08/2026

Just a little update from me.

It’s now been just over two weeks since my surgery, and I’m slowly getting there. Recovery is definitely a marathon rather than a sprint, but each day I’m managing a little more and gradually getting used to life with my temporary ileostomy.

The biggest news is that the bowel tumour was successfully removed, which is a huge relief. The next stage will be chemotherapy and treatment for the small spot on my liver. My consultant has confirmed that the treatment is still being given with curative intent, so although there’s still a road ahead, I’m staying positive and taking things one stage at a time.

I’m still going to be off work for quite some time while I recover and go through the next part of treatment, which is why the support from this fundraiser has meant so much to me and my family.

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated, shared the page, sent messages or simply checked in on me. I genuinely appreciate every bit of support.

For now, it’s plenty of rest, getting stronger and preparing myself for the next stage. One step at a time.

Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It steals your time, takes away y… Gary Battison needs your support for Support Phil Reeve’s Family in His Fight Against Cancer

21/08/2026

Might as well watch the F1 Sprint qualifying…… there are advantages to being off work I guess!! 😂😂😂

13/08/2026

12/08/2026

Quick update from me.

The operation is finally done. I was under the knife for 8 hours, so it was a pretty big operation.

The first few days afterwards were horrible, I’m not going to lie, but I’m finally starting to feel like I’m making a bit of progress.

I’ve only just started eating again and I’m now able to get up and walk short distances. It doesn’t sound like much, but compared to how I felt a few days ago, it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

Still in hospital at the moment and taking each day as it comes.

Thanks again to everyone who has messaged me, donated, shared the GoFundMe or just checked in to see how I’m doing. It really does mean a lot to me and my family.

Hopefully onwards and upwards from here

Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It steals your time, takes away y… Gary Battison needs your support for Support Phil Reeve’s Family in His Fight Against Cancer