For anyone who knows Martin he is the life and soul of any party and he has just published the message below about his forthcoming journey to fight Leukaemia.

In the meantime I thought I would see how much could be raised for Ward 19 at Heartlands Hospital (not to be confused with Ward 19 at Birmingham Hospital) where Martin is being treated by riding the Velo Birmingham 100 mile cycle event which is being held this Sunday 12th May.

I know the time is imminent (hopefully not for Martin) for the cycle ride and would really appreciate if you can make a donation and circulate the link to this page to all your friends and colleagues who have had the pleasure of Martin's company and want to see him back on the Guinness rather than the water.

Copy of Martin's post

Hi All


To save me hours of repeating the same to everyone and at the risk of boring you all senseless I have included everyone who has ever shown the slightest bit of interest in my condition.

Please don’t think this rude but I thought the best thing to do was to tell
everyone the situation and hope that we can all stop worrying about when I’m going to die and I can get on with a normal life without repeating myself 100’s of times a day.

I genuinely appreciate all  your thoughts and have been taken aback by the amount of offers of help and support you have all offered you are all true friends and thank you for being there for me x



For those who can be bothered to carry on reading and have not left the group yet 😊  - the situation is as follows :


I have been lucky enough to be chosen for a project called FLAIR this is a clinical trial into alternative drugs to treat Leukaemia.

Over the last few months I have been for numerous tests, scans and given that much blood that I have more holes in my arm than a heroin addict.

In the meantime there has been a cloud hanging over me as to whether I would be chosen for normal chemotherapy and go bald !!!

be treated with ibrutinib (claimed to be a much better alternative to Chemo and taken as a tablet as opposed to being in hospital for hours on a drip)

or indeed by one of the chosen few to receive ibrutinib with Venetoclax
introduced at week 9. This is claimed to be the wonder drug which in initial trials has proven to give the best results with minimal side effects compared to Chemo.



I started my treatment today of ibrutinib and will be on the Venetoclax in week 9 .. in the words of the Head Consultant “ I have won the lottery” as this treatment is leading edge and just not available, even privately.



Ok for those who haven’t fallen asleep yet 😊zzzzzzz ;

What does this mean ?

I am on medication for the next 3 to 6 years depending on how well I respond to the tablets and will be closely monitored by a nurse whom I have 24 hr access to .. OOOO errr matron.

In the initial weeks I will be in and out of Ward19 (Heartlands) so they can keep a close eye on me along with a couple of stay overs.

From week 9 (July 10th) for 5 weeks I will have to spend a lot more time in hospital as I have to be closely monitored as they increase my dosage of Venetoclax.

Thereafter its initially monthly check ups (stretching to 3 months) and a bone marrow sample at 9 months to see how well I am doing, if all goes well and they see the CLL has gone, then it’s a further bone marrow test 9 months later if that’s still good they then keep me on medication for a further 6 months.

So technically I could get all clear in 2 years which is what I am aiming for but in reality they are saying 3-6 years.

Either way once I have beaten it I will throw a great big party to which you are all invited.



So what’s the downside ? 



I have to careful being in contact with anyone who has a ailment or a cold as my immune system is very week (so don’t be offended if I don’t come near you  ).

I have to take about 20 other tablets a day to counteract some of the side affects

But worst of all ………

no drinking alcohol I have to drink a least 2 litres (rising to 3 litres) of
water a day. – both the Bulls Head and Guinness has put out a profit warning 😊.



However I can live pretty much a normal life and intend to do so and am free to travel as long as I can get someone to insure me !!!



Hence the text above as I don’t want to discuss my illness anymore I want to discuss normal things Like how good the Wolves are and how much weight I’ve lost 😊



Seriously folks thanks for your support I am on the road to recovery and cant wait to throw that party for you all



Love you all



Martin.



Ps feel free to leave the group … you will know when something’s gone wrong if I do 😊 😊

Yes he does bang on a bit but pl;ease share and make a donation.

Many thanks

Dai Phillips

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