Well we have done the major work yesterday climbing 1800m over a mixture of tarmac and dirt trails. Stu my fellow middle aged man and 5 19 year olds in the glorious sunshine over beautiful terrain
So I’ve learnt a few things, in my case you can have just finished you’re 9th chemotherapy session and stay fit enough to take on some small challenges
But I don’t know if my crash on day 1 was my balance affected by my tumour, or just me being clumsily. But what it has reminded me is that I need to make adjustments and not assume I can still do what I used to do, I have had a bit of my brain removed, 30 days of radiotherapy and all the chemotherapy above it makes a difference, don’t try chasing 18 year olds
Also what I have been touched is people’s kindness, always reminds me of the late Jo Cox’s fabulous words
“We are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us.”
Our group of merry cyclists have been stopped because of our brain tumour research jerseys, have had cash given to us, been told stories of family members, husbands, brothers, best friends all of whom are or were brain cancer patients. For a rare disease, that we’ve yet to find a cure for, it seems to get itself about a fair amount. It’s the face of people, when I can see my lad explaining to a stranger, why we all have the kit on. You can tell those that have been affected, as Joe points my out they look at me differently, they know what underfunding means
Anyway back to The scenery and the bikes, yesterday I did 1700m of climbing (or .00000000000001% of getting to the moon (one for cycling podcast listeners) we did it on quiet lanes and gravel tracks. It was spectacular, don’t worry about missing your week in Tenerife get off to Northumberland
3 of my best male friends Jim, Stu and Dave are with me as they have been since my diagnosis. My eldest child and a brilliant bunch lads have joined us for no other reason to support Joe, sadly Joe’s step brother (my step son) died two years ago and again Seb, Gabe, Pat and Joel have always been there for him. My best friend Jen my wife couldn’t make as her battery wouldn’t have lasted most of the days, but I can’t thank her enough for acquiescing to my request despite her concerns. Friendship is massively under appreciated and sometimes taken for granted, never again
I also have new friends in the terminally ill world, in brain tumours some of these people like Mathew and Laura are disproportionately young, telling a 50 year old man with 3 children, you’re terminally ill and it’s a palliative care from now on. It’s tough, but hey I’ve done a lot. Telling people in their teens and parents of young children is heartbreaking. That’s why whilst I can I’ll keep raising awareness and funds for research
Braintumourbergin 