I have always wanted to do the run for charity and planned that this year.  Never thought it would be a charity that meant so much to me.  Earlier this year I was suffering from severe abdominal pains for weeks and I kept ignoring them.  After a week in hospital getting told it was coeliacs disease I was sent home.  A few days later I started vomiting blood and ended up back in hospital.  That night, thanks to the amazing Doctor in A&E they found that my bowel was turning in on itself.  Unfortunately as part of the scan they noticed a large blockage which turned out to be bowel cancer.  There was also potential of liver and lung cancer.  

The next morning I was rushed in for an emergency operation to remove half of my bowel and hopefully all of the cancer.  Following recovery from the operation I started chemo.  Unfortunately my heart couldn’t handle the treatment and I got angina.  As a result the chemo was stopped and there is no other treatment available.  I feel great and getting back on with life but just have to hope that it was all removed.  

Luckily my liver ended up being fine and they have referred me to a chest specialist to investigate the lungs. At the minute they think it is sarcoidosis rather than cancer so finger crossed.

I am normally pretty positive but this really hit me hard. I eat well, look after myself so never expected it.  I wouldn’t have got through all of this if it hadn’t been for all of my amazing wife Julie,  my family and friends.  They kept me going at times when I have never felt so frightened and low.

Anyway, no point sitting about feeling sorry for myself so my daft sister in law Louise suggested doing the run for bowel cancer UK and I thought it was a cracking idea.  Louise is going to run with me and probably have to carry me most of the way but we will do it.  Poor Louise has been training hard and got her minute mile right down and now I am going to slow her down.

So all you need to dig deep and get donating so Louise and I can say we raised a fortune for a great charity.

Bowel cancer is the UK's leading bowel cancer charity. They fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care. They are here to stop people dying of bowel cancer.