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It's that time of year again, I am under taking to Paras 10 TAB. which is the Parachute Regiments P company Challenge. Carrying 35 pounds in a rucksack, wearing boots over a 10 mile undulating route.

Something I may have been used to back in the day when i was a youngster.lol, Now at the age of 52 I aim to turn the clock back. However this time my son Jacob will be doing it with me. Aged 17yrs

Why would we do this? Well please read below.

This is a long story, but I will keep it as short as possible. Its For the Oncology Wards at Manchester Children's Hospital. 

Way back in 2003 My son Jacob was diagnosed with T Cell Lymphoma, a type of leukemia. As you can imagine his Mum myself, and all his family were devastated.

As for me, well I was numb, and distraught, but I knew I had to be strong for him. At the time he was just 6 years old, and not fully able understand what was happening.

He was referred to Pendlebury Children’s Hospital, Manchester, where we met his consultant, a Dr Robert Wynn and his dedicated team.

Rob gave us the strength and confidence to believe that all would be well and Jacob would recover, he was placed on a initial 6 month toxic regimen of chemotherapy, then another 18 months, two years treatment overall.

 During this treatment Jacob had to endure numerous lumbar punctures, several different courses of Chemo. He lost weight, and then the next month put excessive weight on.  He lost all his hair, he had to have 6 teeth extracted because he had abscesses in his mouth, and also had numerous near fatal infections.

His muscles wasted away, and he was unable to walk on his own, and had to use a wheelchair for months.  During a period he was on very strong steroids,  his behaviour changed so much he wouldn't talk to anyone, and would just lie there, sometimes he didn't even recognise us.

As parents you can imagine how this was for us to watch our son like this.

Every day we were at the Hospital Dr Wynn and his staff instilled confidence in the course of treatment Jacob was on, when days were bad for Jacob and us, the staff were always there to help, listen and advise. 

When you're living in this environment other parents become friends and we were like and extended family.

However, on the very rare days when a child’s life was lost, it was felt by everyone on the ward, parent’s doctors and staff alike. These sad memories will live with me forever, because you feel the sad loss of life, then again you're so thankful that it wasn't you child. A Horrible feeling to have.

I will share this one story, One day I was in the kitchen area, speaking to a mum, her son was in the bed next to Jacob, he was about 10 years old.  She said the he was having his central line out that day, this was usually because children were coming to the end of their treatment and getting on with their lives.

However, her face saddened, when she said that he had now been diagnosed with terminal cancer and that it had come back on three occasions. She said her son didn't' know this news and that they were all going away for a holiday to Florida and then tell him on their return.

As I walked out onto the ward and looked at the young lad in the bed next to Jacob,  I felt so so sad, and then looked at my son and prayed that I would never been in a position to have to tell my son such news. The young lad went for his operation and he left the hospital and I never seen them again. I still think about this mother and her son.  

After the 6 months treatment Jacob went on a further 18 months chemo which he just took via mouth. By this stage he was looking a lot better and had returned to his normal self.

Jacob had missed a lot of schooling but whilst in the hospital he had attended the school they have in there,and the well equipped play room. A play room which is a god send to the children on this ward. The play nurses are so patient with the children, and it gives parents a chance to relax and unwind.  

Jacob’s overall treatment lasted 2 years, after which we had to wait for 12 months to see if the cancer would come back. For me, this was the worst 12 months ever in my life. I was constantly ringing Dr Wynn with one problem or an other, and he was always helpful, and calm when listening to a concerned and worried parent.

Jacob continued with his treatment with six  monthly visits to the hospital then he was moved onto yearly visits to see Dr Wynn.

JAKE is now the grand age of sweet 17. and ¾, And will continue to visit the hospital until he is 18 years old.

Jacob is a wonderful son, who I love and care for very very much, he has been to hell and come out the other side.

He is a model son who is respectful, happy, cheeky chap, and has the world at his feet.

He plays rugby, both codes. He plays water polo; he is a keen swimmer, and a competent skier, fisherman.  He also came 2 in the Northwest inter School Concept 2 Indoor Rowing machine competition. 

Jake's  aim is to win the Paras Ten P Coy Challenge for his age group, so he is looking at doing it at around 1hrs, 32 mins. Last year I did it in 2hrs.22mins, so I'm looking to beat the 2 hr mark. The winner of the event did it in 1hr 20mins last year.

Everytime he takes part in an event or wins an award it makes me so proud to be his Dad and a tear falls from my eyes with happiness, so let see if he can win this, he's certainly fit enough.   

All this joy I have had with my son was made possible because of the dedication of the Doctors and staff at Pendlebury Children’s Hospital (Now Manchester Children’s Hospital.)  My son is alive today because of this Hospital Ward and the hard work of the team Dr Wynn has there.

I have shared a few picture memories that  I have had with Jake, of which there are thousands, i hope you enjoy looking at them. I think you'll agree he was one hell of a cute baby/boy.  Now he's' one hell of a Man. But he's always been one hell of a son,  My son.  

Any money I raise on this ten mile TAB will go to the Children’s Oncology Ward Manchester Children’s Hospital, to assist them with research, and to be used towards the Play school they have there and to equip the play rooms with toys , and games etc. 

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So please dig deep and donate now

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.