My history With Cancer

My family and I have had a bit of a history with Cancer.

In 1974 when I as 13 I was diagnosed with an osteosarcoma (a rare bone cancer) in my left femur. On the 27^th of Feb 1974 I had my left leg amputated. Shortly afterwards I started chemotherapy that was to continue for the next 3 ¼  years.

In 1975 I developed secondary tumours in both lungs. 6 in one and 10 in the other. Prognosis at this point was death. However as the chemotherapy continued some of the tumours stopped growing. So in November 1976 and January 1977 I underwent a pioneering operation, performed by Mr James Wishart, the surgeon at the centre of the Bristol Childrens Hosptial scandal in 1999, who successfully removed all the tumours.

            In June 1977 I stopped the relentless chemotherapy which had continued every three weeks for 3 ¼ years. In those days chemotherapy was not as sophisticated as it is now and the treatment was harsh especially for a teenager going round with no hair to mention one unpleasant side effect.

            Phew !

            In 1989 my Father contracted non-Hodgkinsons type B lymphoma. Cancer of the lymph system. This is a treatable but not curable cancer. He went through long periods of remission in the early days after chemotherapy and wouldn't  need treatment for several years. In the letter years though the treatment became more frequent and less effective. He became weaker.

            In November 2006 he died.

            My Mothers sister, my Aunt has also has had several brushes with cancer. She has had a mastectomy and  had an ovarian cycst removed and recently has had some skin cancers removed, the result of a fair skin and too much sun.

            Last year I developed a Squamous cell Carcinoma in my right cheek. This resulted in a 9 ½ hour neck dissection operation to remove the tumour and rebuild my cheek with skin flap (along with arteries and veins) taken from my wrist which in turn was patched up with skin taken from my stomach.

            Whilst recovering from that I came across handcycling and thought I'd like to try it. I went to a track day at Stoke Mandeville in April this year and tried it out. It was one of the most liberating experiences of my life. I met another handcyclist there who had already done lands End to John of Groats and he put the idea in my head to do that to raise money for Cancer Research. After all my life has been so touched by it.

            Orange have very kindly sponsored a bike as I couldn't have afforded otherwise and Halfords have kindly sponsored all my accessories like lights, pumps etc.

            I plan to do this challenge in May 2010. I have a lot of training to do to get fit enough to do 70 miles a day.

            One in three of us will experience cancer either ourselves or in a close family member. I am raise money to help Cancer Research UK find better ways for diagnosis, treatment and cures to help people live longer healthy happier lives.

            Please help me achieve my target of £500,000. Follow the link to my justgiving web page to donate.