Many of you will know how and why I chose to do this but for those of you that don't.

 

In August 2013 I was diagnosed with a very rare form of Abdominal Cancer (Peritoneal Cystic Mesothelioma - try saying that fast three times). When they say its rare they mean it as it effects about 1 in 7,000,000 people or put another way I was about the 20th case in 17 years to be treated at Basingstoke.

 

The unit at Basingstoke is one of two centres of excellence in the UK that treat this and another rare cancer PMP (Pseudomyxoma peritonei) as well as other abdominal cancers. My treatment for PCM, like many others, involved a ten hour surgery and then recovery in intensive care for a number of days before further recovery in hospital. It took about three months to return to a relatively normal life. If you want to read more about it go to http://ManVsJelly.blogspot.co.uk

 

Whilst undergoing physio to get myself back on my feet I decided I needed a challenge and much to everyone's shock announced I was going to do the Lincoln Tri. I decided that it would also be fitting to raise money for the Pelican Foundation

 

Pelican is all about advancing precision surgery.  PMP and PCM require complex surgery, that uses many modern techniques, to cure patients of this rare cancer.  Pelican supports research into innovative treatments that help patients live better for longer.  Every week the charity provides the space for the Basingstoke PMP multi-disciplinary cancer team meeting as Basingstoke is one of only two specialist centres in the UK that treat this rare disease.   To advance understanding Pelican regularly brings together international experts to discuss innovations in treatment and also invites PMP patients to meetings to meet clinicians and learn more about PMP.  PMP receives little funding for research and few opportunities for specialists to discuss advances in treatment.  Pelican is unique in supporting this work and very grateful for your help.

 

The Lincoln Tri is a sprint triathlon which means the distances are shorter. I only have to swim 400m, cycle 22km and run 5km's. Put like that it sounds so simple!

I've also decided that I would do a couple of other events including the Lincoln 10km and I'm now caring on to do the other two tri events in the Midlands series. These are the Southwell (18th May) and Woodhall Spa (29th June) Triathlons.

 

Through all of this I have been supported by my amazing family and friends. Some of them have decided to help in this fund raising challenge as you can see on our team page "The Jellyman Challenge".

 

Thank you to all who donate.