Cycling with cancer

Just seen this - all the best with it, Bad Science.

You sound pretty indestructible.

Good news regarding the 'tache; less so on the 'burns...

Are you in touch with the Legion?

Good call!
Funnily enough, the bush telegraph has spread the word and the Padre just called me.

Just clocked this too. Bad news for now, but let's plan for a celebratory motorbike ride later in the year. All the best.

Glad to hear it: they know what they're doing and are good at it.

PM me if you fancy a coffee. I can fill you in on what everything tastes like* and what to expect**...

*forks and coke cans
**Diarrhoea. And pity from the weak.

PM me if you fancy a coffee. I can fill you in on what everything tastes like* and what to expect**...

*forks and coke cans
**Diarrhoea and constipation all at once. And pity from the weak.

ftfy

Bad Science has joined the gang. After many prods and pokes and scans, I was finally diagnosed today with throat cancer.

It's going to be fucking grim. Because of where the tumour is, they aren't going to operate, as they would have to remove my tongue and most of my lower jaw. They are going in "aggressively" with chemo and radiotherapy, which might make all my teeth fall out...

Fairly shite, but I'm indestructible. I've been in two wars (Iraq and Afghan), I've done the Marathon des Sables and I've written off a motorbike down Old Street. I even finished a half marathon on a broken ankle, for fuck's sake.

Bring it on.

Have at it you hard bastard.

Diarrhoea and constipation all at once.
Nice

Have at it you hard bastard.
Argh! Run at it screaming, it's more scared of you than you are of it!

You all bring a tear to my eye, you lovely people.

Bad Science, what can I say except stay strong and kick this cancer's arse. Chemo May floor you or you may boss it. Different drugs have different effects. Make the most of every day you feel ok because that will get you through the days you don't.

Ask your oncologist about Cyberknife treatment and whether it's appropriate in your case. There's a private one in the Harley St cancer centre and an NHS one, I think in Guys. If you have a homogenous tumour then it can be blasted with lots of radiation with no collateral damage. My wife wouldn't still be here without it.

If you get private medical insurance through your job, use it. The LOC is a much nicer environment to have chemo in than a hospital. Oh, and if you have a mortgage and got critical illness cover with your life assurance then you just paid your mortgage off. Buy a nice new bike.

Bad Science, I love your attitude..
Surround yourself with strong people
If you need anything from pole dancers, popcorn, poker players
Give me a shout

Al ;-)

mikey wikey, Rowhan, Bullheart and now Bad Science - these tumours must be looking to get their ass whooped, they sure know how to pick 'em.

Bad Science all the best for the grim weeks of treatment. Be a bit selfish and make the most of the resource that is other people - on here and in the rest of your life.

If you haven't read Bullheart's thread it's here http://www.lfgss.com/thread45131.html

Blimey, thats put mine into perspective!
I have no excuse now.

Three month MRI scan results yesterday, and very good news.
The original tumour has completely gone. It's actually a bit weird, because I never saw it (except on an ultrasound screen) and now it's gone, so the whole thing seems a bit surreal. It might never have been there at all.
Chemo and Radio were actually better than I was expecting. They were still pretty shit, but I'm sure I never looked as ill as some people I bumped into during my various treatments. Chemo in particular was almost easy. I think managing to keep the hair helped, although the moustache did fall out over the course of a weekend (it's now almost back to "graspable extremity"), and my only real side effect apart from general listlessness was annoying nosebleeds.
Radiotherapy was a breeze for the first month, then I started to lose my voice and lose the ability to swallow. The last week of treatment (week 6) and the following 2 weeks of radiation sickness before my body started to recover were horrible, nil by mouth and communicating with a notebook and pencil, but I managed to get myself out of bed every day.
I've come out the other end two stone lighter, which should make the surrey hills a bit more bearable once I start training again. Hopefully I'll be able to make use of the place I've been allocated in the Dragon Ride, and maybe even the Al-Andalus...
I still have a gastric tube, which is coming out soon, and I'm having to eat really small meals. Eating is now a chore, rather than a pleasure, but that's probably better for me in the long run. I've also got a nasty case of lymphoedema, which is a harmless side effect of the radiotherapy which gives me a cartoon-like double chin. Apparently it can be sorted out with massage, and sleeping in a contraption which looks like some kind of fetish appliance.
Doctors are still unsure about two lymph nodes in my neck, on each side of the original cancer. I'll have ultrasound and probably another biopsy soon after the new year, and we'll take it from there.
My business now is to enjoy Christmas and make sure my two nieces eat far too much cake.
Have a good one, all of you.

Excellent news. Well done and I hope food becomes a pleasure for you again.

Brilliant news mate! Hope it keeps going uphill!

Good work fella. Have a wonderful Christmas.

Fantastic news: stoked for you!

Here's to 2015 and beyond...

That's the greatest of news, have a fucking fantastic Xmas!

Happy Christmas, wishing you all the very best.

just seen this thread again, well done bad science you have done really well , same as myself in fact , resources for radiotherapy in the country are being neglected and chemo is taking over courtesy of the drug companies, but radiotherapy can be very effective and should be well funded. are you able to do any exercise at the moment, like an exercise bike, i got one for nothing of freecycle here in derbyshire. used it for a few months before i got on the road and mountain bikes again. you could have mine gladly if you want it , but you probably find a free one nearer to you...i am near Matlock ...
i too have lost 2 stone since diagnosis was over 16 st now 14 and something. the something has been going down till two weeks back and is now sneaking up, always does this time of year....
i ahve grown a beard for the winter riding and got some overshoes for my mtb shoes and still ot warm enough. down to combination of Raynauds and neuropathy from the chemo. still keeping going though, and gonna get some battery operated electric liner gloves and maybe the chemical heat pads that mountain climbers ( Everest etc) use to keep their toes warm, last for 6 hours apparently, but can t find where to buy them , will contact climbing club if need be ....
i have a friend and she got bowel caner 8 years ago now and has changed her diet given up the c2h5oh and rides a bike a lot including some tdf stages and she was stage 4 and put on palliative care ! so keep at it and here's hoping for a really good outcome for you ...
mikey wikey

Bullheart , how are you ???

Still here old son.

Sounds like you're doing well though. Good lad...

Good work, Bad Science (and mikey!). Nothing quite like giving cancer a good old kick right in the balls to spread some festive cheer, so well-played. Hope 2015 only continues to treat you better.

cheers bothwell,
plans for this year are to keep cycling , add some more cash to the pot from 5 cheap old bikes i have sold and maybe sell another one or two and get a good road bike, with relaxed frame geometry and low gears for conquering all hills in peak district and beyond, currently i have 3 road bikes old and modern in there
but the main one i ride is a 1963 reynolds 531 framed bike modified by me
with long reach dual pivot brakes on 27inch wheels
and compact chain set
and 7 speed freewheel (not cassette, 13 to 34, on cold set rear forks
and longer hollow axle
all done by me etc...
believe it or not it is very hard to get a road bike, drop bars with slightly lower gears than this, best i can get is like 34 front and 32 rear...
without going to cyclocross type hybrid.
still searching,
good ideas very welcome ..
mikey wikey