My personal experience

As some of you know, in 2018 I took on the Marathon Des Sables, a self sufficient footrace comprising 156 miles over 7 days in the Sahara Desert whilst suffering with an undiagnosed case of pulmonary tuberculosis. I managed to compete the race (just) with cavities in my lungs. 

I was still unwell when I got home, and after a couple of weeks I got my diagnosis. It changed my life completely. I spent just shy of a year on treatment, and then the following year recovering from the treatment and trying to rebuild my life and my body. I am lucky that I had a fantastic team of doctors and nurses, a loving partner, family, friends, and colleagues supporting me through this. 

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is the worlds most deadly contagious disease. It comes in many forms, the contagious one being pulmonary TB, which  is airborne. TB can affect any part of your body, from your organs to your bones or skin. It is passed on by breathing in bacteria from a person with TB in their lungs. TB can live in your body in a dormant state, which is known as Latent TB, which is carried by roughly 20% of the worlds population. When TB bacteria starts to make you ill, this means it have being Active TB. 

How I was impacted by TB

I was devastated by the affect that TB and the treatment had on my body and mind. I had worked so hard to train for and complete the Marathon Des Sables and Tuberculosis undid all that hard work in a matter of weeks. TB took a lot from me, my body, my social life, my financial stability, my physical comfort. It is also an incredible lonely disease, as patients with pulmonary TB have to isolate until they are no longer infection. For me, this was a full month, 11 days of which were spent in an isolation unit at St James' in Leeds. The mental impact was also severe, and I've spent a deal of time with a therapist working through that. This is not uncommon. I want to help people suffering now and to let them know that life does get better, and they can return to full health. 

I am grateful to now be in a place where my body is capable of regular training, and where I truly feel well in myself. As luck would have it, I got a place on the ballot for London Marathon this year. Not only do I have something to work toward, I also have an opportunity to raise funds and awareness about a cause that is - quite literally! - close to my heart.

TB and Covid-19 in India

In countries where people live in close quarters, airborne disease transmits very easily. The terrible spread of Covid-19 in India evidences this all too well. TB Alert India is using its expertise to support communities affected by both Covid-19 and TB. In future, many of the structures that are being put in place to address Covid - which often learn from TB - can be used in tackling both diseases. 

I ask you to join me in supporting TB Alert, who are tackling not only Tuberculosis, but also assisting in the effort to fight Covid-19 in India.

My ambitions for London Marathon

I have no grand aspirations for a good marathon time, but aim to finish with a smile on my face. Being able to even consider doing this feels like a gift, so I'm happy with that. I shall keep you updated on my training as the months go by.