The online ramblings of Nigel Short

Mission accomplished...

2009-09-24T20:58:17+02:00

Right now I'm sat in the back of the VW Camper, being transported home to Sheffield. I'm in 2 minds. Should I write this blog update, or put the bed down and climb into my sleeping bag, to enjoy some well earned rest.

Clearly, the blog has won!

I'm still wearing my cycling gear, but I'm also wearing something I didn't set off with this morning. I'm wearing a broad smile of self-satisfaction, as at 3pm this afternoon our band of cyclists and support team arrived on Filey seafront - and so our mission was accomplished!!

The morning didn't start so well. I awoke to find that 'Batts' had chosen to go with his 'bib' shorts, although he ended up looking more like Jack Black in 'Nacho Libre' than Chris Hoy!! Not a pretty sight.

We had breakfast and joined the team outside for the set off. Sky Sports News had sent a cameraman and former Wednesday favourite Lawrie Madden to cover the story and film us along the way. I hoped they wouldn't film us on too many hills!!

The shudderingly bad start to the morning I'd had seeing Batts in his shorts became almost instantaneously worse, as within 200yds of the start in Osmotherley Ebay winning cyclist Lee Brown suffered a puncture, and 300yds later the other Ebay winner Paul Senior snapped his chain on a steep uphill.

The incredibly steep hill soon spread out the pack, and I ended up walking some of it with Hirsty. It seemed over the 3 days we had been mirroring behaviours, even to the point of synchronised cycle dismounts at certain points!!

I pointed out to Hirsty that I'd spent most of my late teens and early twenties wishing that I could be as fit as him, and never realised that all I had to do was wait a few years for him to catch me up instead!!

I'd been given a bike cam by official video/photographer John Gath to use, and nearly gave him an opportunity to earn £250 from You've Been Framed as I hit a right hand 90deg downhill bend at around 35mph, sliding on gravel. To my amazement I stayed upright.

There was another immense climb out of a small village called Hawnby, before Hirsty and I picked up the pace to sail into Helmsley at 45mph (past the 40 and 30mph signs). Oh how I would have loved to get a speeding ticket.

We sat around in Helmsley waiting for the others to congregate, and decided we'd have just 2 more stops on the remaining 38 miles to Filey. There were 'no more hills' according to organiser (and local) Peter Shaw. And he was partly right too, after 37 miles and around 40 hills - there weren't anymore. Thanks Peter!

As we approached Filey we gathered in a layby for the final mile, and followed the VW Camper down the hill to the Coble Landing and Beach. I don't mind admitting I had a bit of a sniffle - it was a hell of an achievement for all of us, and we'd done it.

There was even a small band of supporters there to cheer us into town!!

We all hugged, shook hands and congratulated each other, had photos taken (when we found Hirsty who was in the pub!), even enjoyed a little shellfish as we stood around!! Rang families and friends, and then we all made our way to Peter Shaws house for a brilliant (and welcome) buffet.

Shirts were signed by the footballers, handshakes and hugs again and the team slowly disbanded.

And here I am. Retracing our steps?.. Or is that pedals on our way home.

Its been an incredible privilege to be involved in this, to spend a few days away with some incredibly nice people, to share stories with 3 fantastic ex-pro's, to ride through some of our countries most marvellous scenery and achieve a personal goal. And while all of that is brilliant, its made all the better by knowing we have been raising a huge sum of money for a very worthwhile cause.

I don't think it would be fair to complete this blog without mentioning all of the people involved;

Support Team

Richard Davies - great lad who's put a hell of a lot of effort into organising too. Hirsty would probably say - "Did he ever get out of the car?"

Diane Cockayne - nurse, moral support and general supplier of Mars Bars and sympathy. Hirsty would probably say 'Kingys favourite!! ;-)"

Paul Holmes - real back-up, following along with the trailer and tracking the backmarker with incredible patience. HWPS "Lewis Hamiltons pit crew" - after watching him put too much air in tyres, dismantling gears without a clue what he's doing, chains, wheels etc...

Jim Bainbridge - what a guy, been a great laugh and the first guy I've ever seen order fillet steak in the pub, with a 10oz Ribeye steak chaser. HWPS "tha's done nowt all week that didn't involve food"

John and Jackie Gath - lovely people to have around, very supportive and looking forward to seeing the video and photos they've done. HWPS - "Don't you DARE take any of me going uphill!"

Riders

Julian 'Batts' Batty - takes his cycling very seriously and probably prepared most for the event. HWPS "What the **** has he come as in that yellow outfit"

Peter Shaw - brilliant organiser, really lovely bloke and encyclopaedic knowledge of all things 'Wednesday'. HWPS "why use one word when 37 will do"

Paul Freer - oldest rider at 57, sets a real example as to how fit we should all want to be when we're older. HWPS "did you get that bike when you were delivering Hovis" (anybody who has seen Pauls bike will understand this)

Dave Barlow - non-stop wisecracks, quiz questions and possibly the only person who'd done less prep than Hirsty. HWPS "he's a trier. 200 jokes without a laugh and he'll still try again!"

Paul Senior - paid a great sum of money at the last minute to join the ride and finished a hell of a lot stronger than he started. HWPS "his damn snoring kept us awake all night - and he wasn't even in our room"

Me - suave, sophisticated, ruggedly handsome and wittier than Hirsty. HWPS "suave, sophisticated, ruggedly handsome and wittier than me". :-P

Bez - not a Wednesday legend, but deserves an honorary title on this weeks showing. The fittest man on the trip, king of the mountains, not so good at directions. HWPS "He's only got an England 'B' team cap"

Kingy - quite probably the nicest and most genuine bloke you could wish to meet. Made an extra effort to get to know people really well. HWPS "Especially Diane"

Hirsty - approached the bike ride just as he did his football. 100% commitment, effort and enthusiasm, regardless of whether he was fit enough. Still inspirational, and very very very funny. HWPS "Is that it? 3 nights away from home and that's the best write up you can give me"?

Steve Ludlam - another incredibly fit guy, and a pleasure to have along for 2 days. And I owe him a tube of Ibuprofen Gel!! HWPS "58 and he gave Bez a run for his money. Bez is clearly not fit enough"

Lee Brown - the most unlucky bloke I've ever met. Paid out to join the ride on Ebay, got a puncture within 200 yds of setting off, so had to drive to Helmsley in his car. And got a puncture. HWPS after Lee finally got his bike sorted for the last 16 miles "Oh aye, turn up now and get all the glory!"

Numerous fans who turned up along the way - you really have no idea how much your support, cheers, flag and scarf-waving did to lift spirits, ease tired legs, and anaesthetise aching knees. HWPS "Typical Wednesdayites - bloody brilliant"

If you've read this far you'll no doubt feel like you've endured some kind of personal achievement too!! Please do one more thing for me now. Donate as heavily as you can afford to a very worthwhile cause. All of the people listed above have given their time freely, used up work holidays and trained hard for months (well, Batts did) in order to complete this challenge.

All you have to do is walk to wherever your credit/debit cards are kept - and make a donation.

Thanks for reading the blogs - its over to you.

Regards

Nige (and all the team)

Comments

Are you sitting comfortably??

2009-09-23T23:30:33+02:00

...Cos I'm blooming not :-)

Its 1030pm here in Osmotherley, the 2nd stage destination of the Coast 2 Coast.

Last night saw us eating out in Hawes, the landlord of the Fountain Inn, clearly a good businessman, had spotted an opportunity and reserved the C2C'ers our own room with large screen tv for the Leeds/Liverpool game and waitress service for our food.

The evening was high spirited, comparing stories of our Day One experiences, funny things happening like Kingy cycling straight through the middle of some roadworks and leaving a deep groove in the new tarmac, and once again chuckling at Jim who managed to not only trip over a half metre high stage ("I didn't see it"), and the toilet step despite a huge 'Mind the Step' sign on the toilet door. Jim, you should have gone to Specsavers...

Back in the room I instructed Batty to sleep on his side to avoid the previous nights snoring. Unfortunately, I was then treated to new room-mate Jim Bainbridges snores for an entire evening. It is no exaggeration that I got so fed up in the middle of the night that I put my iPod on with my 'noise cancelling headphones' - and they still didn't drown him out - proving that Jim officially snores louder than an Airbus 400.

After a hearty breakfast this morning we were on our way at around 930, and it had been agreed that there would be more stops today with support team in attendance - apparently someone had moaned about it yesterday... :-)

Aysgarth was the first stop, quite a hill involved, and it was decided that as an added break we would drop down to Aysgarth Falls - a truly wonderful view. Hirsty did point out that as there was a 1:4 gradient involved, and how he'd already seen Niagara Falls he'd stay at the top of the hill and look after the bikes!!

We moved on, and headed on into Leyburn, sitting in the town square and enjoying a welcome break after the long climb.

From Leyburn we set off again, this time for Bedale. This was a brilliants stretch of about 11miles and I really pushed myself - and it seemed to take very little time before I was in the main street waiting for (some) of the others.

My gears have really been playing up on my bike, slipping and jumping from cog to cog, so I called in at a bike shop. He suggested he thought it may be the chain that was causing me the problems, and suggested I visit a bike shop in Northallerton, which was on our route, to arrange a replacement.

Back up in Bedale main street I found the rest of the team at the pub in the main street!! The weather was really getting quite warm and it was lovely sitting out and enjoying the break. Far too soon we were off again and heading for Northallerton.

I pushed out of Bedale and was determined to maintain the momentum I'd established on the previous stage, overtaking the lead 2 riders at Leeming. I maintained an average speed of 20mph on this stage, waited constantly for Bez to come sailing past (and no doubt on his mobile!), but he didn't, I was only overtaken on this section by Phil King!! It later transpired that Bez had been distracted by Elvis Presley on his iPod leaving Bedale and had gone over 4 miles in the wrong direction before realising he'd not overtaken anybody yet!!

He eventually arrived at the Durham Ox in Northallerton (yes another pub) just as I arrived following my visit to the bike shop!!

All of the people we have met en-route have been lovely, very positive. The guys in Cowleys Cycle Centre in Northallerton were no exception, recommending that I replace the chain with a Shimano one. They asked what we were riding for, and incredibly supplied and fitted the new chain free of charge as a result. How brilliant is that?? Cheers lads.

The cyclists left Northallerton en-masse while the support team collected with buckets in the high street. We all rode the final stage together to Osmotherley, a very picturesque small village, and origin of the Lyke Wake Walk - something I've been asked to do next year. So hopefully I will be back here soon.

We're staying in the village pub which means not so big a walk to bed!! We had another great meal tonight, the match was on but very few of us watched as once again we were all swapping stories, banter, jokes and generally having a great laugh (mostly at the expense of the 'useless' support offered by Jim and Richard (who have been brilliant really!)

We are now turning in, got to look our best in the morning as Sky Sports News are sending a crew to film us leaving Osmotherley, a few shots along the way, and then covering our arrival into Filey. Let's hope they get paid overtime is all I can think!! :-)

64 miles tomorrow.

Just sharing with 'Batts' tonight (Oh no, I'm turning into Kevin Blackwell). If he snores tonight I'm going to throw my glass of water at him.

Night all

Nige

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Footballers and Hawes....

2009-09-22T17:46:12+02:00

Updating the blog for today now, as Im pretty sure I will be too tired later. No midnight posts tonight :-)

After agreeing an 8am start from the Kendal digs, we hung around in the car park for a frustrating 40 mins admiring each others new cycling shirts and chuckling that Jims didn't fit him...

I was ravenous at this point and really looking forward to the promise of a big breakfast in Grange-Over-Sands. We arrived at the train station car park, unloaded the bikes and Hirsty announced we were ditching the breakfast and getting straight off!! Oh no.....

The cyclists gathered for a photo-call - and then we were off. The peloton soon spread out (did you like that? Thats a cycling term. If Im truly honest I have no idea what it means). The early pacesetters were John Beresford and Julian Batty. Theres something discomforting about giving it your all to get up a hill and John Beresford riding past you chatting away on his mobile.

We'd agreed beforehand that we would split the days up into 10 mile segments, the first stop being a layby just before Kendal. We all met in good spirits, had a coffee and some jaffa cakes (not the best of breakfasts) and agreed the next stop would be as close to the M6 as possible after Kendal and before Sedbergh.

This involved a teriffic downhill into Kendal, a ride through the town centre and then (and I'd totally forgotten about this), a steep climb out of Kendal uphill towards a windfarm. This climb consists of around 4-5 miles of steep uphill bends. Its a total swine and only 2 out of the 10 riders managed it without a walk for some of the way.

At the top of the hill we again convened at the camper for coffees. It was agreed that we would meet again 5 miles after Sedbergh for more coffees and a sandwich. Again we set off, and the trials of the climb from Kendal were rewarded by a brilliant downhill segment all the way into Sedbergh - I managed 45mph on this section (but still didnt catch John Beresford!)

Winding through the streets of Sedbergh I caught up with Batty - who'd suffered a puncture. Batty was being looked after by Peter Shaw who cleared off as soon as I arrived - thanks Peter!! To be fair, I cleared off pretty sharpish too as soon as Paul Holmes arrived with a spare inner tube - this was my chance to beat Batty to the end of the 3rd stage.

Unfortunately - as I arrived at the 10 mile marker - the stage support team weren't there. Nor at the 11th mile. Or the 12th, 13th, 14th or 15th. I was getting incredibly grumpy at this point, I was cold and tired and very very hungry. Some of the steeper hills were forcing me off my bike, I felt like throwing the damn thing into a field at this point!

At the 16th mile the teddies were thrown out of the pram, and I sat down at the side of the road and thought 'I'll have my break here then"... I sent an abusive text message to Jim Bainbridge - although the valley through Hawes is a bit of a network black hole so he didnt get it.

Diane Cockayne, part of the support team arrived with a Mars Bar. I don't really like chocolate anymore but ate it all down anyway! After 20 mins I picked up the bike, rode over the brow of the next hill and the viaduct of the Settle-Carlisle railway came into view. What a reward. I was just congratulating my luck at being part of such a brilliant event (with a shocking support team lol) when the next brow of hill was reached and I saw a pub in the distance.

And then I saw the support camper van, the support cars and some of the other cyclists bikes in the car park! They were all sat in a warm pub and I'd just had a Mars Bar 500 yds before on a feezing cold roadside... Aaaaargh!!

I parked my bike and went in the pub (the Moorcock Inn), and before I had chance to whinge they gave me a round of applause, totally taking the wind out of my sails! I sat down to a pint of Guinness and a piece of treacle tart with custard - and its without doubt the best pint of Guinness and Treacle Tart I've ever had!!

I did remark at what an appropriate pub they'd picked for a load of blokes to turn up wearing cycling shorts!! In the pub we were approached by a gentleman who wanted to make a donation to our fund - and Peter Shaw introduced our footballers...

"This is David Hirst, ex England International", and Hirsty shook his hand, "This is John Beresford, formerly of Newcastle United", again handshakes were exchanged, and then "This is Phil King"... before Peter had time to finish his sentence Hirsty jumped in to say "He owns the Dolphin Pub in Swindon"...

Hawes was only 5 miles away at this point, an undulatinhg road lay ahead, but newly refreshed and having ditched my rucksack relieving my back pain instantly, the ride just flew by - and we all convened again just 1/2 a mile out of Hawes to ride in en-masse.

Currently sat in the lounge of a beautiful guest house, the Bulls Head Hotel in Hawes, ( www.bullsheadhotel.co.uk ) planning a (very) long hot shower, a few pints watching the Leeds game and some stodgy food (beef and ale pie would go down very well tonight!!).

No doubt there will be much more to tell you tomorrow after what Im sure will be an excellent night in Hawes.

All the best

Nige

Comments

Probably not the best prep...

2009-09-22T07:47:27+02:00

Well its midnight on the eve of Day One of the Coast 2 Coast.

I'm laid here in bed at the Travelodge, Kendal and am not overly sure whether the butterflies in my stomach are the result of nerves, or my first visit to an Indian restaurant in almost 2 years!! On reflection, I had possibly the mildest curry known to man so it must be nerves...

Kendal in late September on a Monday night isn't the thriving metropolis you would imagine. We had a couple in the 'Globe' before heading off to the Mumbai for the food.

At the Globe we were joined by the first of our footballers, Phil King. Phil had arrived earlier in the day and, not sure of plans, had already eaten. We all reminisced about the usual things football fans do when they get together, inevitably these involved games Phil had played in, even down to free kicks he had taken. I personally fondly remembered the 'stepover' routine he performed with Nigel Worthington - though if I'm honest I think I was more enthusiastic about it than Phil!!

Just exactly how anoraky do I sound?

In the restaurant we were joined by the remaining members of our team, including Hirsty and Bez.

I ended up sat with Bez, who looks sickeningly fit and prepared for the ride. Or maybe he looked so good as he was sat inbetween me and Hirsty! Bez admitted he'd done a bit of prep for the ride, and didn't seem overly concerned that on Thursday night, after what will be our longest stage of 63 miles, he is due at a function in Maidstone. In Kent. At 9pm.

Personally I'm not confident I'll be in Filey for 9pm on Thursday night so that gives an indication of his confidence!! :-)

Hirsty regaled us with stories of his training prep - and how he only learnt how to change down his gears this weekend. Apparently Twentywell Lane is a swine in top gear - Hirsty had stood hard on his pedals and remained almost motionless for 20 minutes before discovering that the downshift was built into his brake lever.

I've got a feeling I will be more likely to finish in Hirstys pack rather than Bez's!!

We are aiming to leave the digs for Grange Over Sands at 8am - have breakfast there before we get on the bikes and set out on the first stage. So, without further ado, I'll turn in, switch out the lights and hope that the guys I'm sharing with don't snore too much.

Night and all the best

Nige

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Once more unto the breech...

2009-09-21T09:05:11+02:00

Well, its here. Today I will be collected by one of the support team we have for the ride, and transported to Kendal for our first overnight stay in advance of tomorrows start in Grange-Over-Sands. *gulp*

Obviously I'm worried about the knee. I'm totally without pain now after 4 days of expensive physio, and I'm really not looking forward to riding the miles wearing a knee support that's designed for walking. But that worry has been totally overtaken now. I was sent a picture on my e-mail last night of the transportation we have been loaned to get us to Cumbria.

Clearly - my biggest worry now is being seen in this Camper with 3 other burly blokes! If anybody puts Erasure on the stereo I will be getting out and walking...

Tomorrow morning, after a hearty breakfast we will be setting off from Grange-Over-Sands on the first leg to Hawes. Google Maps suggests that the most direct route for this leg takes in the M6 - though I would imagine we'll be looking for quieter roads than that!

The first challenge will no doubt be this evening - and will be a good pointer as to who the chaps are that need to be kept up with in the bar this week. I'll update the blog tomorrow morning with a bit of an intro to the team - as well as a report on the evening - who wussed out and went to bed first, who drank the most/least etc... You know - all that grown up stuff...

Catch you in the morning... If we're not still trying to get to Cumbria in the camper.

All the best

Nige x

PS: Its totally remiss of me to not print the Sponsorship Link - so here you go. This is a link to an official article about the ride with the link to the site for donation.

http://www.wednesdayite.com/news/wednesdayite-news/292-hirsty-and-friends-cycle-coast-to-coast-for-charities.html

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The vultures are gathering :-)

2009-09-18T12:45:51+02:00

"Little motivates me more than the doubt of others..." - Nigel Short 2009

Make a note of that quote. Since I last posted I have received 3 lots of physio on my knee, and it feels great. I have another session booked for tomorrow morning (Saturday). Ive been wearing a knee support and using lots of ice treatment and I'm feeling much more confident about the prospects now.

Back to the quote. Since I posted about my injury on Wednesday I've become aware that quite a few people have actually taken a little satisfaction from my injury! Hard to believe. "Lining up the excuses" is something I've seen a few times on Facebook and messageboards - and to be honest - it made me laugh more than anything. I know its probably meant in jest by most - but to be totally honest, all it does is serve to motivate me to complete the challenge by hook or by crook - theres not much more satisfying than raising a 2 fingered salute to those who would get a little bit of pleasure from seeing you fail!! I usually console myself that the type of people who are happy to see others fail when confronted with a challenge are generally people with little to point to in their own achievements.

So a big thank you to the doubters - you have strengthened my resolve.

Now lets revisit that quote again!! When I say 'little motivates' - there is something far greater than a little cynicism from others to motivate me. And that is generosity. Yesterday I received some quite staggeringly great news from a customer of mine. He's been a customer over 7 years now - and yesterday he donated £1000.00 to the charity we are riding for next week. I passed the news around the team - and the response is fantastic - it has motivated all of us. Its a very generous gift and we all thank you so much.

I don't care if next weeks ride take me 10 hours a day to complete, or whether I'm walking like a cripple for a month after it. I WILL COMPLETE IT.

Thanks to everyone who has been fully supportive. You are the ones that matter. x

Finally - good luck to the Owls tonight in their own challenge at Bramall Lane.

All the best

Nige x

Comments

A spanner in the works...

2009-09-17T08:00:17+02:00

What is it they say about 'the best laid plans'??

My training ride on Tuesday ended disastrously. My gears on the bike have been slipping in the mid range - I really need to get the bike into a bike shop for someone to have a look at it.

Anyway, 42 miles into my ride I changed down a gear approaching a steep hill, stood up on my pedals to gain more drive, and the right pedal slipped from the top to the bottom, and once the pedal reached the bottom my knee jarred. I knew straight away from the incredible pain that it wasnt good, I managed another 4 miles of stop and start before I had to be rescued from a garden centre (fantastic coffee cake) by Dazzy G.

I spent the rest of the day in agony, and Wednesday losing 3-1 to Middlesborough didn't help!!

Yesterday morning at 9.30 I was on the physiotherapy couch being looked at by Alan Smith - physio to the stars... Alan was the England football team physio for many years, and Sheffield Wednesdays before that. Hes one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet.

He diagnosed the problem almost immediately. I have torn my lateral collateral ligament. Its something Ive done before playing football. However the good news was we have visited physio very early in the injury process, and therefore we can treat it.

Alan didnt offer a judgement on whether I would be ready for the bike ride next week - but he didnt say I wouldnt be which is clearly a positive :-)

I spent yesterday following physio using frozen peas on the area... and today will be back for more physio at 6pm. Tonight I'm at Hillsborough for 'Hirstys Bar', and tomorrow night of course its the Derby Game with Sheffield United.

Busy busy - lol

All the best

Nige

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Coast 2 Coast Countdown

2009-09-15T07:52:15+02:00

In a week from now I will be setting off on what will be the 2nd biggest test of my endurance - ever. When I volunteered 3 months ago I had little idea what I was letting myself in for - and as the time approaches my nervousness about the whole event is increasing.

Preparations were hit hard last week. As I posted in my last blog I intended to travel from Lincoln to Skegness and back over 2 days on Thursday and Friday. Unfortunately, due to an important work commitment I had to cancel that particular session. I was massively disappointed that I succumbed to work pressures as ever since the events of last year I have maintained a sense of pride that I now fit work around my life and not vice versa. The amazing weather on the 2 days didnt help.

As it turned out it was a futile gesture, as the reason I stayed at work didnt materialise. That was a harsh lesson, and one which I do intend to learn from.

Anyway, to bigger things...

The Coast 2 Coast Challenge has been organised by 'Wednesdayite', a supporters trust I was partly responsible for setting up a number of years ago. 8 cyclists will leave Grange-Over-Sands in Cumbria next Tuesday morning, and ride first to Hawes, then Osmotherley, finally landing (hopefully) in Filey on the East Coast on Thursday. 3 of the riders are ex-professional footballers, Phil King, John Beresford and David Hirst.

Phil King in his Wednesday Days

John Beresford in his Newcastle days...

The legendary David Hirst celebrating one of his numerous goals for Wednesday

We are raising funds to help purchase a minibus on behalf of the Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme Charity. The bus will be used to transport Sheffield Wednesday's disabled and special needs supporters to home and away games. Additionally, a proportion of funds raised will be donated to The Children's Hospital in Sheffield, to help fund specialist medical equipment.

I will be posting a link to a site where donations can be made - and I hope you will support me once again as you have done so remarkably in the past.

Today I am engaging in a training ride - I've taken the day off work and will be covering 45 miles before tonights game at Hillsborough against Middlesborough. I also intend to take advantage of this coming weekend with no Wednesday match and fit in a lengthy ride as a loosener for the week ahead.

More news as and when...

Nigel x

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In true Homer Simpson style, I'd like to say 'D'OH'... :-)

2009-09-02T19:53:51+02:00

OK, it appears a little experiment I tried last week went totally wrong and many regular readers received a notification to read my last post from May! So I'd like to apologise to anybody confused by reading 3 month old news!!

It also served as a timely reminder that its been quite a while since I posted, and what a busy time its been!!

Training for the forthcoming Coast 2 Coast Bike ride has been going... well, OK. Not 'amazing' or 'brilliant'. Just ok. Im feeling quite nervous about it to be totally honest, but Im determined to see it through however long it takes me. I did have a lovely long weekend back at the old favourite guest house in Grasmere (Banerigg, 015394 35204 ) with a few great rides around the most beautiful scenery and incredible hills.

Since then Ive been working on my pace rather than distances, I can now average around 14mph on hour long rides which Im pleased with, just got to work on the distances now - although Im cycling from Lincoln to Skegness and back over 2 days a week tomorrow which is 110 miles round journey - so we will see how that goes.

Also since I last updated Ive been away a couple of times, once again it was great to have a few days back in Spain with my great friend John. On the way back I was contacted to let me know that one of the club sponsors at Sheffield Wednesday had actually offered to pay for me and the kids to join the Club Pre-Season Tour to Malta, obviously recognising the difficult year that we all had with being ill and the ridiculous legal action that was taken by the previous incumbents.

Unfortunately Gina was unable to go due to Work Experience commitments, but Daniel and I attended and had the most incredible time. Dan was 14 while we were there and had a real birthday to remember, not just being mascot for the team, but getting to watch the game from the bench, lift the trophy Wednesday won in front of the crowd, join the squad photo, attend all the team training sessions and travel with the team on the team coach. He even had a kickaround with the new Chairman and Manager at the training ground one morrning. (I tried not to be jealous)

I have thanked everyone involved but would like to do that again, publicly right here. Nothing was too much trouble, it really was the most incredible week.

Heres me throwing some shapes (whatever that means) on one of the many nights out we had there!

And heres another...

Anyway - the football season is here now, I've attended every fixture so far including a 600 mile round trip to Plymouth in one day last Saturday, and an evening trip to Newcastle a few weeks ago. Newcastles away seats are up 14 flights of stairs - Im delighted to report that of our party I was the only one to run the whole way to the top 2 stairs at a time (although Gina was a very close second - well done sweetie). On the way out I was approached by someone who's been reading the blog who shook my hand and said how nice it was to finally meet up - thank you for doing that.

And just a couple of weeks ago I fulfilled another ambition by attending u2's gig in Sheffield - and what a night that was.

As you can no doubt see - its been a busy time, and the next few weeks don't look like slowing down either. Hope you are all well, I can't believe how many people are still visiting this blog. Last month was the second busiest month for blog readers ever (2990 readers) - which is amazing considering it hasnt been updated for so long.

I'd like to end this installment by wishing someone all the best - he's going through exactly what I went through last year and so far he's had his op and is awaiting the start of the radio/chemo. All the best and good luck, you know who you are.

Will probably logon and update just prior to the Coast 2 Coast now - as of course i will be looking (once again) for some sponsorship.

Thanks for dropping by

Nigel xx

Comments

Lifes never dull...

2009-05-04T12:31:01+02:00

Well once again here we are - loads to say...

First things first - fund raising. You will recall last year the 10k fundraiser for Weston Park. At the beginning of the football season I had been very vocal in offering support to a Wednesday player who had been targetted for criticism by a significant sector of support - so much so that I even offered to bet the first 20 people that he would score more goals than Akpo Sodje - a player that I feel is over rated!! Sodje spent most of the season injured and my bet was won (Leon Clarke picked up 8 goals) - and Im delighted to say that most of the people who took the bet have agreed to donate their money to Weston Park - along with a few others - so theres another £600 in the coffers for them..

This coming weekend Im delighted to have organised a school reunion for pupils at Aston Comprehensive during the 80's - there will be an 80's disco and theres around 200 people coming - all tickets sold will be donated to Weston Park too which should comfortably be at least another £600.

Ive also accepted my next Challenge - a Coast to Coast cycle ride from Grange-Over-Sands to Filey in September - so training is under way for that. I intend to use the blog to chart the progress and training I undertake. More info later.

Work continues to represent a challenge - not helped by the current financial climate - but I have a few things Im working on and hope I can start to turn the corner there soon.

Finally, anyone who is a regular reader, or familiar with me on a personal level will know just what a big role Sarah played in my recuperation last year. Im very sorry to announce that we are no longer together and I would like to wish her all the best, and offer my sincere thanks to her for everything she did for me last year. Sarah, will miss you SHD. x

On that sad note - I'll wish you all the very best.

Nigel x

Comments

Chin up - head down...

2009-03-24T16:35:15+01:00

Hey. Its been a while!

I've just had an incredible phone call with the people at Weston Park Cancer Charity. I'd only called in to see if I could use their logo on some tickets for a school reunion I'm organising with a few old friends. The girl on the phone remembered me, the fund raising we did over a year ago, and even remembered the excitement of checking online every couple of hours to see how much we'd raised while I was wired up to a chemotherapy drip upstairs. Its good to be remembered for something you've done that benefits others - so I wanted to say thank you again to you all.

She was also telling me how much she enjoyed reading the blog - how upbeat it was and how others going through the same thing have been motivated by it. I'd genuinely no idea. Its really motivated me to get on and finish the book.

I'd actually allowed myself to feel a little down today - work is very quiet (as it is for many people now) and the pinch is starting to become more of a grip just now. I looked back at the blog for the nearest post to today - and was surprised to find it was Easter Weekend this time last year, and I'd just had my second dose of chemo. I wasnt eating and had just spent the last 3 days being violently sick every where!

Its amazing how life can come crashing into perspective when you remind yourself how much harder it really can be - life is a breeze for me right now compared to how it could be.

The news about Jade Goody over the weekend didn't help. Whatever peoples opinions as to how she has conducted herself since finding out she had cancer - the facts are clear - she was a 27 year old mother of two who certainly did not deserve to die.

Anyway - I'm trying to get fit, have started mountain biking and about to start running too. I'm playing in a 5-a-side tournament in June to raise funds for Weston Park, probably going to give the 10k run a go in August and have even looked into climbing Kilimanjaro too for charity..

First things first - charity begins at home - so back to the grind!!

Hope you are all keeping well.

Regards

Nigel xx

Comments

SNOW DAY!!

2009-02-02T11:24:48+01:00

Hey!!

Today the snow has brought wide spread disruption and choas to Britain (as it always does when we get a light dusting of snow). People facing the drudgery of that daily commute are struggling through maintaining that resolute upper lip thats seen us Brits through many a crisis...

What utter rubbish.

Snow days aren't sent to us to make us miserable! Snow days are a gift and should be enjoyed!

Now I completely understand those people in essential jobs - police, fire, and ambulance services, nurses and doctors getting through. But really - what would change if you contacted your employer and said 'If you don't mind, I'm going to take today off work?' As long as you have no important clients flying in from the States - wheres the problem? Take the day as annual leave, and get out in the snow and enjoy it!

You didn't hate snow as a kid - you were enthralled with it - and the only reason you hate it now is because you know how much its going to inconvenience your attempts to get around.

WELL DON'T!

And schools should let the kids out and let them enjoy it too. We get so little of the white magic these days and it was brilliant watching them out this morning! Ive had a walk to the shops for some kinding this morning and re-discovered the magic of letting the snow land on my tongue! I walked past a few people with my tongue out and Im sure they thought Id gone mad.

So - go out and enjoy it! If this weather keeps up I guarantee there will be a snowman in my front garden by 4pm.

Have a good day

Nige xx

4.58pm - EDIT - Just for your reference - as promised...

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Its a Wonderful Life...

2009-01-06T18:30:54+01:00

It most certainly is!!

Had a fabulous Christmas and New Year break - been back at work for two days and I'm now off again - tomorrow - to Spain again. This time its back on the slopes for a few days skiing in Sierra Nevada - which is Europes most southerly (and highest) ski resort set in the mountains above Granada...

I'm very excited to be going - and this will be my first holiday on my own for around 10 years now. I'm meeting John (my friend who lives in Spain) when I get there and we're gonna have a week of good food, good wine and good fun!

As soon as I get back.... no - lets cover that when I'm back!!

On the subject of 'Its a Wonderful Life' - I watched it on DVD the other evening and its the first time I've ever seen it. What a marvellous story - I won't spoil it if you havent seen it - but its definitely shot straight into my top 5 films of all time. Obviously Rocky will take some knocking off the No1 slot.

Anyways - all the best - Happy New Year to you all.

Nigel xx

Comments

A Christmas Wish...

2008-12-22T12:55:35+01:00

Hi bloggers - its been a while....

Since we last met here on these pages - lifes been returning to normal for me. Well, as normal as things get for me anyway

This will clearly be a completely different Christmas to last year. Its fair to say I've never had a year like this one, and obviously I never want another. However I can completely relate to Lance Armstrongs claim that cancer was a gift. It has completely re-aligned my whole attitude to life.

Quite a few people have said to me recently how things begin to gain perspective when you go through something like I've done this year. Its now 7 months since I completed the treatment - and the pain and emotional turmoil are a distant memory. Being the geek that I am I try to make sense of it by relating it to a PC - the human brain has an incredible ability to store the bad files on a floppy disk, put the disk in a drawer in the office, without labelling it, then forget about it for months at a time. Occasionally you go through your office drawers, find the disk and think 'I wonder whats on this?'... And as you place the disk in your laptop and load it up - secretly hoping its those slightly innappropriate pictures you took of the missus on that beach a few years ago that you promised you would delete - as the files open up it takes your breath away (for completely other reasons) and you think to yourself 'Was that really me?'

When I reflect on whether I have changed - I have to say a very affirmative YES! I don't fly off the handle and shout like I used to (not as much anyway). I'm much more relaxed and reflective. And while I am still very nearly always right about things - I don't get as much pleasure pointing it out! I am far more aware than Ive ever been of people around me, of their own trials and tribulations.

And perhaps more annoying than anything for those who speak to me these days is my ability to point out that whatever is happening to them right now - it could be a whole lot worse.

And thats not relating it to what I've been through at all. What I went through this year was a piece of cake compared to others who weren't so lucky. Adrian Sudbury was one, and his family will be facing up to their first Christmas this year without him.

Christmas has a way of emphasising emotional problems, be it the loss of a loved one, relationship problems, work etc. It brings things into context for around a week or so - and thats where Christmas and cancer are so alike. (Stay with me for a moment)... The first half of this year were a little like Christmas (without the brilliant food and drink) for me. I saw so many old friends, relations and even old colleagues. Some of you did something as little as saying to my sister in the pub 'Give my regards to your Nige - we're all thinking of him' - you probably don't realise just how much that meant to me and my family. People logged onto this blog in their thousands (literally) and that gave me renewed faith in human nature - and that faith has stayed with me to this day. I feel incredibly lucky to have had so many people in my corner.

I was talking to friends in the pub the other night and was told of a lad who's going through the throat cancer battle right now. He's having a terrible time of it - lost loads of weight and seemingly the emotional stress is biting hard. I really hope he can take strength in the same way I did from those who love him.

So finally - my Christmas wish. This Christmas I hope you can all find the time to spend some quality 'you' time, be it going for a walk, a night in by the fire, whatever you do to relax. And don't switch the TV on. Spend some time to yourself and think. We don't do enough thinking these days. Life runs by us all at a million miles per hour and John Lennon was absolutely right when he said 'Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans'. And while you are thinking, relaxing and being you, let your thinking involve those close to you, particularly your family. I won't tell you what to expect - but I think some of you might be surprised. Let me know...

Happy Christmas to you all.

Nigel xx

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It ain't about how hard you hit...

2008-10-01T23:22:39+02:00

...It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! - Rocky Balboa

Thats my favourite line from the movies - and coincidentally it comes from my favourite character in the movies.

Many people who have been party to this blog for the past 10 months and have supported me have been totally unaware that I was actually fighting two major battles in my life at the same time. I have purposely chosen not to write about the other one, not least because legally it wouldn't have made sense to do so.

Anybody who knows me will know that apart from my family the major love and obsession in my life has always been Sheffield Wednesday Football Club. The fortunes - or misfortunes - of my club have been well documented over the last 10 years, and the depths to which we have sunk in that time has been unparalleled at any time since the club was formed in 1867. Those depths have not just been on the pitch - off the pitch too the club has seen its debt rise to beyond £30million, we've seen supporters groups and individuals labelled as 'cretins' and 'scum' by the clubs Chairman, and around 6,000 supporters have, perhaps unsurprisingly, deserted the club in the last 5 years.

During that time I have chosen to write about my feelings along with around 8,000 other supporters using an internet messageboard called Owlstalk - regular readers will remember the Owlstalkathon that we launched on the weekend of my treatment commencing.

In February 2006 I received a letter from a high profile firm of solicitors in Sheffield informing me that the club intended suing me for 'libellous' remarks I had made in my postings. The weekend before that I had been ejected from the executive lounge at Hillsborough without any explanation as to why. My employer at the time received a letter copying them in on the allegations I was to face, and questioning whether my use of an internet messageboard was appropriate in works time.

Naturally, I was appalled. I was massively disappointed that my comments were, in my view, being taken out of context and used as a stick to beat me with. I was scared, I read up on defamation cases and realised that the legal costs involved were potentially huge. I was also furious, and decided there and then that I wouldn't be attending games any more as I felt that I would be paying money through the turnstiles that would be used to pay a solicitor to act against me. And I became determined too, determined that I wouldn't give in, and that I would stand by what I had said, because I believed every word to be true.

I was approached by several newspapers, some of them nationals, all prepared to pay good money to print the story of a club taking one of its supporters to court for objecting to the way it was being run. I didn't accept those offers though. I was also approached by a friend who is a wealthy businessman, who agreed to put me in touch with a firm of lawyers based in Manchester who specialised in this kind of work. He also agreed to underwrite some of the legal costs involved in defending my case.

A year had passed, and we thought the club had decided against taking action. 4 months later a letter dropped on the doormat, and it seemed that the lawyers had waited the maximum time to issue proceedings (1 year), and then the maximum time to serve proceedings on me (4 months). I was being sued. This was it - there was no going back.

Before I go any further I would ask you to imagine spending 16 months dreading every time the phone rings, or every morning when the postman walks up the path. It was almost a relief that proceedings were being taken - it stopped the uncertainty!

As the months passed I became more at ease with the law, more convinced that there was no way we were going to lose, and more confident that my lawyer (who by this point was so convinced we would win that he was working on a 'no win-no fee' basis) was absolutely the right man for the job.

I spent time at a Barristers chambers in London preparing a response to the allegations. It really was becoming an education.. (the Barrister too worked on a no win - no fee basis - according to my lawyer that is extremely rare in these cases). Throughout my diagnosis and treatment the case continued, developing towards the collection of witness statements. The case was even listed to be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in London from Feb 2009 - and was reserved for 10 days! Scary stuff...

Two days after I announced the results of my MRI scan on this blog, the previous post to this one, I was contacted and told that the case had been dropped and that the club were going to settle my legal costs. There was a statement on the club website that seemed to suggest that the decision had been taken because of my health - which was baffling - but still... it was bloody good news.

I cannot relay enough just how much the 2.5 years affected me, my life, my family, my relationship, my career. But it taught me a very valuable lesson.

It taught me to never, ever, give up in the face of adversity. It was the best possible preparation for being ill. And thats why the quote from the Rocky film I started with resonates so strongly wth me. It sums up the last 2.5 years brilliantly and the determination thats needed to face up to the bigger problems you can face.

Heres the quote in full. All the best.

Nigel x

The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!

Now if you know what you're worth then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers sayin' you ain't what you wanna be because of him or her or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain't you! You're better than that!

Until you start believing in yourself, you ain't gonna have a life

Comments

And now for the moment we've all been waiting for...

2008-09-03T15:14:09+02:00

Bernie Foran (my oncologist) called me 10 minutes ago from Weston Park Hospital. My appointment for tomorrow had been put back 2 weeks, but I asked them to let me know my MRI scan results as soon as they have them.

They have them. They're fine. And that means - SO AM I !!

I'm told the term for this is complete remission (thanks to Hayley for that). I checked through my diary earlier today - and from my confirmation of diagnosis to today has been almost 9 months. Its been a hell of a journey, and obviously a journey that will continue until I'm back to normal (yes ok, Ive never been 'normal' ).

Of course I can never forget what the last 9 months have been about. I have lots of physical reminders, a chin like Buzz Lightyear at the moment with the lymphodoema and a huge scar from ear to chin. I've obviously lost a lot of weight, but feel and look stacks better for that. I lost a large nerve in my shoulder that means the kids now really enjoy tapping me on the shoulder and knowing I won't turn round (nice to be the source of entertainment eh!!)

I also have no feeling in the left side of my face. I can't lift my left arm over my head anymore - which means that Michael Phelps can rest easy knowing that I won't be challenging his Olympic record of 7 golds in the pool anytime soon. I also have a tiny scar in my stomach - a permanent reminder of the PEG feeding tube that kept me alive for 5 months. My mouth and throat are extremely dry these days as a result of losing a number of saliva glands which means that I no longer enjoy my food the way I used to - I have to wash pretty much everything down with a sip of water now. (Although I will give a mention here to Julie who promised me Beef Wellington right here on this blog and duly delivered on Saturday night with the best meal I've had since I started eating again - thanks Julie it was gorgeous)

On top of that there are the mental scars. I dream a lot about chemotherapy, and being told I have cancer, or its back. I get really upset when I see people going through what I've been through, and even more so when I realise just how lucky I've been. My good mate Dazzy G said to me on Saturday - 'How does it feel to have cheated death?' (He was slightly drunk at the time) It seemed a little premature to be asking, especially as I was still waiting for the MRI results so I didn't really give him much of an answer. And I still don't want to tempt fate by doing so.

I'm in remission - yes. I won't feel like I've cheated anything until I've been discharged in 4 years time - and even then I will always wonder. And nothing anybody can say to me will make that go away.

I will admit something on here now and its something I never told my Mum and Dad about for obvious reasons. When I was diagnosed by Mr Durham, the brilliant consultant who operated on my neck on Christmas Eve I asked him what would be my prognosis if I didn't have the surgery/treatment. He gave me 6 months 'maybe slightly more'. Which means that there would have been an excellent chance that I wouldn't be here right now.

I never once allowed myself to believe the treatment wouldn't be successful. I had brief fleeting moments when I considered writing letters for the kids 18th/21st birthdays, and Gina's wedding speech (should she get married one day). But I never did - because I thought that would be like giving in.

I've just read back what I've put so far - and I'm sorry if it seem's a little downbeat. Obviously I'm absolutely delighted with today's outcome. Now isn't a time to look back - it's time to look forward.

And I would encourage all of you to do the same - please humour me and stop what you are doing for the next 10 minutes. Then, consider how you would feel if you had been told there is a chance you might not be here in 6 months time. Would you do anything differently? If the answer is yes - then stop what you are doing, and do that different thing. (Cliche time) - this is not a dress rehearsal - its your life, you only get one (unless your a Hindu!). Don't put up with things that make you unhappy - change them. I mean it.

And then do me a favour - please. When you make those changes - tell me. I'm going to need something to keep my mind occupied now that I can stop worrying so much about this!!

Thank you to everyone who has logged onto this blog. I have been absolutely staggered at the people who have kept in touch with my progress - I really can't believe there are so many people interested in what happens to me. In its busiest months over 2000 unique visitors read these pages - thats absolutely unbelieveable. Yesterday I spoke to a journalist who has discussed with me the possibility of getting these pages published. So, if you want to save yourself a bob or two - print it off now!!

All the very best to you all

Nigel xx

Comments

Real Radio, Classic FM or Galaxy...

2008-08-28T09:26:07+02:00

I had my MRI scan yesterday.

This scan is to prove once and for all that there are no traces of cancer left in my head and neck so its quite a big thing for me. I've not slept for a week leading up to this. I got a call from the MRI Dept yesterday morning asking if I'd had my blood tested as per their letter - I'd never received the letter and so I had to go in a couple of hours before to have some blood taken.

They test your blood to make sure your kidneys are working ok - part of the MRI process involves having a dye injected into your bloodstream and your kidneys have to be fully functional in order to expel the dye later.

I went back to the department later and everything was ok with my blood, so after answering a load of questions relating to metal in my body (pacemaker, shrapnel, staples etc) I was laid on the bed that puts you into the scanner. The scanner is highly magnetic so you have to ensure you have no coins or car keys with you as they could damage the scanner and cause thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Believe me the hole that you are slid into seems absolutely tiny, and when you are in there for 45 minutes (as I was) it becomes completely claustrophobic.

I did get a choice of music to listen to - Real Radio, Classic FM or Galaxy, or they will play a CD. I chose 70's Rock music - not my best decision on reflection! You can hardly hear the music at tims anyway such is the noice of the scanner.

Anyway - the time passed and the scan was done.

I get my results next Thursday. I would ask you all to cross your fingers with me.

All the best,

Nigel xx

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Sad news...

2008-08-20T22:50:11+02:00

Got home from the coast today to the very sad news that Adrian Sudbury - who's blog is linked to on this page - lost his fight against leukaemia last night.

Adrian fought his illness in much the same way as I did - with a smile on his face and a lot of hope in his heart, and unfortunately that wasn't enough for this very brave lad. Adrian has left a lasting legacy of people who are still signing up for the Bone MArrow register, and I hope many of this sites visitors will do the same.

I would like to add my condolences to those already being received by Adrian's family - I'm sure you are all rightly proud of what Adrian was able to achieve - particularly in the few short months up to and including today.

An inspirational man - all the best.

nigel xx

Comments

Health Update

2008-08-19T22:42:13+02:00

I thought I should update things with the latest state of play.

You will be aware that I have gone back to work - well, if I'm honest it is certainly too early for full-time work. I'm absolutely shattered! I've been starting work at around 10am, and finishing at around 6 - which have always been my favoured hours as I'm a bit of a slow starter! However - this is seriously proving to be too much - I'm falling asleep mid-afternoons!! Ive been going to bed around 10-10.30 - I guess its another case of thinking I'm more back to normal than I really am!!

I'm taking a day off tomorrow - and I'm going to make a much more concerted effort to stick to my promise of working part-time to begin with from Thursday onwards...

I've had a date from the hospital from my MRI scan - its the 27th August. This is clearly a big event - as it will tell me once and for all if all is ok lump-wise. I have everything crossed for that one... more news as soon as I get it. I probably won't get my results until my next appointment at Weston Park - Tuesday 4th September.

So, thats it from me for now - all the best to you all,

Nigel xx

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BEACH PARTY - POSTPONED TIL FURTHER NOTICE

2008-08-18T14:48:40+02:00

It is with huge dispappointment I find myself announcing the postponement of this event.

In all honesty I had completely under-estimated the amount of people who go away for Bank Holiday weekends - its something I've always avoided because of the crowds - that should have given me a clue really - DERRRR

I had received around 120 definite attendees - and a similar amount of people had said they would be away - and as the event is a fundraiser I really wanted to maximise the people turning up. So I have taken the decision to cancel and re-organise another time - I need to let the venue know with plenty of notice and that has also influenced the decision with a week to go.

So - no beach party this Bank Holiday - apologies to those who were looking forward to attending - and I will of course update the site with more details as soon as I know them.

Apologies again.

Nigel xx

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Another check-up from the neck up...

2008-08-07T23:16:33+02:00

Back to Weston Park today for another check-up.

It was good to see Bernie again after a couple of months - less so when she pointed out that she'd be putting the camera up my nose again!

Everything is looking fine right now, and recovery is still slow but steady in the right direction. I was advised that I would need an MRI scan before the next appointment in September - so I guess thats something to look forward to. NOT.

Earlier in the week I had an appointment with the Speech and Language therapist in Rotherham and things in this area also continue to improve.

So - things are on the up generally.

Arangements for the Beach Party continue apace, and big thanks to Dean Ibbotson who's volunteered to run the activities on the day, ably assisted by my sister Louise. Also, many thanks to Martin who's volunteered to help with the food prep - could still do with a few volunteers in this area. Finally - to Gina and Dan - who are going to organise the music on the day - its superb to have so much support for this from you all. THANK YOU.

I've also had a few offers re sponsorship which is absolutely fantastic - more to follow when thats been confirmed. So - PLEASE PLEASE - let me know if you need tickets reserving - this event will only be as good as the people who turn up!!

Comments

Lifes a Beach - PARTY!!!

2008-07-29T08:03:45+02:00

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 25TH AUGUST 2008 - STARTING AT 2PM

As promised, today I am announcing what I sincerely hope will be a totally enjoyable day out for all, plus an opportunity to raise funds for Weston Park Hospital...

How many times have you spent an August Bank Holiday sat in your car on the way to the coast, along with thousands of others who all had the same idea, only to arrive and have a wander around, a bag of soggy fish and chips (lets face it they are rarely as good as back home in Yorkshire) before rejoining the queues of traffic on your way home??

Well this year there is an alternative.

As promised throughout the blog - when I feel better I will be holding a BBQ to celebrate. Only this will be no ordinary BBQ. I have secured a teriffic venue for the day (and night), and as there is no real restriction on space - you are all invited!! And as I intend to use the day to raise funds for Weston Park Hospital, I would be delighted if you bring along your family and friends too!!

Heres how it will work.

Thanks to James Sandham and Jon Raduch I have some very trendy tickets available. I would prefer to get these allocated in advance so all you have to do is let me know how many you need and these will be reserved on the gate for you, or preferably posted out if you have paid in advance. Tickets are just £5 each and include your first trip to the BBQ.

The venue is Aston Hall Cricket Club, literally 1 min from J31 of the M1. It is a huge field with a nice pavilion and a very cheap bar (try to ensure your partner is driving or better still, organise a taxi!). As the field is so large we will be organising some activities for those who prefer a more active day, such as Beach Volleyball, Football, Cricket and Rounders. There will obviously be a bouncy castle for the younger members of your party too...

There will of course be music throughout the day and this is your chance to come along, chill out and relax with family, friends and people who have been supporting me throughout the last 8 months. Bring along a deckchair or two to guarantee yourself a seat on the day, and as you will see from the poster, beachwear is essential (lots of shorts, t-shirts etc!) And as the day progresses into night you never know, dancing and general merriment may well ensue too!!

I really hope you will join me and my family on the day - and hopefully we can stick another £grand or two in the Weston Park Hospital Charity while we are at it.

All the best

Nigel xx

PS: If you want to reserve your ticket please email me your requirements at nrshort@btinternet.com

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They say a picture paints a thousand words...

2008-07-27T12:50:51+02:00

I make absolutely no apologies for kicking off with a picture of me taken on Thursday afternoon, the last day of our break to Spain. I feel like a £million at the moment and I reckon that shows in the picture.

When I think back to how I was feeling just 4 weeks ago, never mind 3 months, I realise just how much in need of a holiday I really was. To be able to spend that holiday with Sarah and the kids, as well as with such amazing friends new and old in Spain was the icing on the cake. We had a fantastic time and relaxed in the best possible way, by a pool with a constant supply of drink, good music and outstanding food. We laughed constantly, reminisced about old times, threw each other in the pool and generally behaved like kids! We spoke some Spanish - though most of it was Spanglish - sticking an 'O' on the end of most words to make them sound 'authentico'.

I even managed a beer. Or 3 to be precise. I had tried a sip of the Cruzcampo every day - John has it on draught at his house in the poolside bar (how cool is that?). Initially the after taste of the beer was horrible, on the last day of the holiday I persevered and drank 6 half glasses of it - and the following morning I had the headache to prove it. On 3 pints - what a lightweight - I can see me being a very cheap date in the future!

I also managed just about everything put in front of me on a plate. Pork tenderloin marinated in (well, its a closely guarded secret what its marinated in), chicken, sausage, steak, chips, a chocolate eclair. I have to wash everything down with a sip of water but its such a relief to be tasting good food again. The only thing I didn't cope too well with was one of John's special curries, but to be fair - nobody else seemed to manage that too well either!! I spent the next half hour after tasting it sat in the kitchen drinking copious quantities of water and consuming chocolate and vanilla ice cream to provide some relief to my stinging throat!!

While we were there we managed a trip to Ronda, a beautiful Spanish town set in a spectacular location and only 20 minutes drive from Teba. Ronda is famous for its bridge over the gorge that runs through the middle of the town, and its huge cliff-face at the south of the town. We did some shopping and ate out for lunch. Sarah and I also visited the lakes and El Chorro, another famous location in Spain and home to scenes from the Sinatra movie Von Ryans Express. We ate lunch in a bar overlooking one of the clear turquoise lakes nearby with the unmistakeable scent of pine trees in the heat - something more associated with Greece. The view from our table is below;

On our last day we decided to leave the mountains and head for the water park at Torremolinos where we met Sarah's friend Nadine who is holidaying there. Nadine has her daughter Immy and friend Chloe in tow so a day for the kids seemed fair - in reality I went on just as much stuff as the kids and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Later we ate in a pizza place in Benalmadena that the kids and I had eaten in 3 years previously, right on the front overlooking the beach. The pizza was great, although I left the crusts, something I tell the kids off for doing!!

I want to round off this blog by saying a massive thank you to both John and Jill for their hospitality, to Sarah and the kids for making this holiday such a brilliant experience and to everyone else who was there for wishing me well and then not dwelling on the past 6 months, it was great to put things completely out of my mind and be normal again. I'm looking forward to seeing you all very soon.

And the very last thing I want to do is post one last picture - taken on the first morning of the holidays - for no other reason than to demonstrate I did take more than one t-shirt away with me!!!

All the best

Nigel xx

PS: I'm going back to work tomorrow, Monday, and I'm thinking that might be a good milestone for bringing the blog to an end. I have to consider the publication of fund raising efforts in that decision and please watch this space for news of a massive event coming hopefully this August Bank Holiday - confirmation tomorrow hopefully.

Can I ask you all - if you havent done so already - to please subscribe to the blog by popping your email address in the 'Subscribe to this blog' box at the right hand side - that will save you constantly popping back to check for posts when I clearly have much less to write about.

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It will feel like youve been kicked in the stomach...

2008-07-16T08:49:32+02:00

Yesterday was the big day - removal of the PEG feeding tube from my stomach.

Went to the Royal Hallamshire Endoscopy Suite for this to be done, or to give it the full name The Bert McGee Endoscopy Suite. I knew Bert McGee, he was the former Chairman of Sheffield Wednesday and a fantastic man. I had no idea he had done so much work with charitable trusts and it felt nice to be sat in a waiting room with a large oil painting of him looking down at us!

I was taken into a room with a few other patients by the nurse who explained to me the choice of procedures i had. The first option was to cut the pegtube at my stomach and push the grommet holding it in place inside my stomach into the stomach and pass it naturally. This is totally pain free but explained the nurse carries a 10% risk of creating a bowel infection. With my impending holiday to Spain I thought 'Thats the last thing I need', so we opted for option 2...

'Basically I just pull it out' said the nurse, 'I wrap the tube around my hand, we count to 3, you take a deep breath and I pull very hard. Most people say it feels like being kicked in the stomach'... She was absolutely right, and she tricked me by saying she would pull on the 3rd deep breath. She gave it a sharp pull on my 1st deep breath and said 'Everybody falls for that one'

It took my breath away, but within 20 minutes I was back in my car and on my way home.

She had taped some gauze over the hole telling me that the stomach wound would heal within the hour and that my hole on the outside of the body within 24-48 hours. Incredible.

Im sat here the following day and I can assure you, the pain of removing the micropore holding the gauze in place is far greater than the pain of having the peg removed!! Its sticking to the hairs on my chest and I'm doing that thing that all kids do with plasters, taking it off millimetre by millimetre and saying 'Ow' every time!!

Ah well, if it takes all morning its not a problem...

Last post this one til I get back from Spain, I have never ever looked forward to a holiday so much in my life. Really looking forward to seeing John, Jill and the kids and obviously Jon Paul and Vanessa. And I'm really looking forward to chilling out by the pool and relaxing with my Tommy Cooper autobiography, visiting the Spanish lakes, doing some sightseeing in Ronda, extending my food choices.. and maybe having 1 or 3 beers too...

All the best

Nigel xx

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Well, its been a while...

2008-07-12T09:57:19+02:00

Thank you all for your recent telephone calls, text messages and e-mails!! I am fully aware its been nearly 2 weeks since I last posted on the blog, but there has been a very good reason for that (which will become clear!!). I didn't want to post a 'no news' post for the sake of it last week, and this week I have had 4 separate appointments with hospital/healthcare professionals so thought it best to wait their verdicts.

Following on from the last post and the progress I made with eating in Northumberland, my diet is now quite varied. Its still mostly soft stuff, easily digestible and most of all, easy to swallow. Nearly everything I swallow currently has to be washed down with a glass of milk, water or Coke but I can live with that.

Since I last posted of course we held Sarah's 40th party at Aston Hall Cricket club and it was fantastic to see so many friends again. Being laid up at home I have been limited in my social contact for the last 8 months so it was wonderful to meet and chat to so many old friends. I had a great time and Sarah did too - so thank you to everyone who showed up. I also thoroughly enjoyed myself throwing a few moves on the dance floor towards the end of the night, its good to see the old magic is still there!!

Also on the night one of the more popular items of food (well, it was first to go!) was my ham, boiled for 3 hours in 2 litres of coca cola, then roasted in the oven having been glazed with black treacle, demerara sugar and mustard. I'd love to say it tasted nice but the gannets got to it first and I didn't get to try it!!

Our Dan did a fantastic job of dj'ing on the night and Gina was the perfect amabassador for Weston Park Hospital, prising cash from most of the guests in exchange for a blue or pink bow pin badge!

On Saturday evening, while distracted due to watching the final Doctor Who episode, I was overcome with temptation and stole a slice of pepperoni pizza from our Dan. Surprisingly it was fairly easy to swallow when washed down with coke, and I went on to steal a piece of Gina's and also a slice of Sarah's Pollo Funghi - though the chicken proved more of a challenge than the pepperoni - good choice Sarah and i'm sure you will go for that pizza again to save you being ransacked in future!

Sunday saw me being even more adventurous, with a large bowl of Frosties (microwaved and soggy) for breakfast, a Pot Noodle (yes, I know - eeeergh) for lunch and I was so encouraged I made my Irish Stew dish (as described in great detail in March) for dinner and served it in large Yorkshire Puddings. I managed half my Yorkshire Pud, and all my Irish Stew - and it felt great to be eating something so tasty again.

Monday again was a big food day, and even saw me eating out while on a shopping trip to Meadowhall with our Dan. We went to his favourite restaurant, Nando's, home of Piri Piri chicken. Now this was a step I was nervous about - spicy food. I had a childs portion of chicken strips and chips, managed the chicken and half my chips. I was so pleased with myself I texted half a dozen people to let them know!!

Tuesday and again I was in meadowhall, but with Gina. We had jacket potato for tea, me with lots of butter and a little grated cheese, and i spent a good few minutes mashing it all together to make it palatable. It was the first food I can honestly say I enjoyed since i started eating again, the other stuff seemed like a chore such was the pain against my ulcers and the difficulty I had in swallowing.

As the week has progressed I have even eaten a McDonaldsHappy Meal (minus the toy!) and last night Sarah cooked me the most gorgeous portion of cod in butter sauce (not boil in the bag either!!). That was delicious.

So, things are certainly looking up on the eating front.

On Monday I had an appointment with a Speech and Language therapist who gave me a long list of exercises to do with my mouth neck and throat to get me moving more normally, and of course speaking too without the pain. I reckon that when my ulcers finally take their leave that things will become much more natural.

Tuesday and I saw the dietician who was obviously delighted with progress although she did insist I keep using some milk shakes to top me up. Ive now lost 5 stone since my treatment started.

Wednesday and the appointment was with the nurse from the milk shake company, again delighted with progress and she checked my peg tube over - thats all ok too (as of Wednesday I hadnt used the peg in 9 days).

Thursday and it was the big appointment, 3 month review at Weston Park. Can you believe its been 3 months since my last session of radiotherapy? Time has absolutely flown, and when I think back to how I felt in that last week just 3 months ago - the improvement is incredible. Bernie Foran was away and so I saw Dr Thanvi. Now I get on very well with Dr Thanvi, we have a similar sense of humour, he's always smiling and you can have a good chat about nothing in particular! I had prepared a food diary covering the previous weeks eating exploits and he was delighted too. I told him how desperate I was to get rid of my peg tube so that I can get in a swimming pool and start exercising - and guess what?! he's arranged it!! The peg will be removed at the Royal Hallamshire in Sheffield on Tuesday morning - and that means just in time for my holiday too!

I am over the moon about that - I can really begin to feel human again once I don't have a plastic tube sticking out of my stomach.

Dr Thanvi also told me he regularly uses me as an example to his patients of how a positive frame of mind can help you overcome the trials of cancer treatment which was a brilliant compliment. He asked me if I would be prepared to speak to some of his patients if he passed on my number and of course i would be only too pleased to help, its the very least I can do.

So, I was walking on air when I emerged from Weston Park on Thursday. What an amazing transformation in just a few months. The blog certainly makes very interesting reading going back 3-4 months and the contrast from rock-bottom to walking on air is hugely satisfying.

Ive decided that I'm going back to work from the beginning of August. I'm only undertaking light duties at first on doctors advice but most people who know me would say thats all I ever do anyway!! A couple of days a week will suit me at first and I can slowly build up to being normal. And obviously thats one of the last major milestones for me, other than the upcoming scans and hopefully continued 'all-clears'.

The next 5 years will mean constant supervision from the team at Weston Park to ensure that there is no re-occurence and so it will be a case of holding my breath every time I have an appointment but its no different to many many people. And as I always say - there are many people far worse off than me.

Finally, I am undertaking a sponsored walk in September for Mouth Cancer Awareness. Its in Hyde Park in London and Sarah, Gina and Dan have already said they will accompany me. This is an open invitation to all of you to join me too, if you fancy spending a Saturday afternoon in London walking 10k for a very good cause with a nice meal on the Saturday evening to celebrate (we may even trouble Gordon Ramsey to cook for us in one of his restaurants), then please let me know and I will sign you up to join in.

All details on the walk, to take place on Saturday 20th September, can be found at this website. http://www.mouthcancerwalk.org/ And my friend (and sometimes inspiration) Hayley who's blog I have linked to on here a number of times, is doing the walk too so it will be great to meet her.

Please think about it - it will be great to have as many of you there as possible.

All the best

Nigel xx

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Thank heaven for small mercies...

2008-06-30T16:53:55+02:00

Well its been an eventful few days since I last posted.

On Thursday morning, bouyant from the relative successes of the week, small though they were, I decided to join Sarah in Northumberland. Sarah had been up there since the weekend on a break that we had both planned to take to celebrate her 40th birthday. I checked out the train prices and was amazed to find I could get a ticket from Sheffield to Alnmouth (between Newcastle and Edinburgh) for just £13.00. Even First Class tickets were just £22.00 - and, well you know me...

I boarded the train, found my seat and almost immediately a carriage attendant offered me a menu of items I could have for free as one of the priveliged few who had chosen to ride first class that morning. And it was a few - there were 3 of us. There were numerous drinks (I'd only just bought some water and a Coca Cola), as well as numerous paninis and all day breakfast rolls - to have the mouth watering. Well, it did mine. I declined the food and decided on a bottle of water and a Coke - discreetly popping my purchased bottles in my bag for later in true Yorkshire style.

The journey passed very quickly and it wasnt long before I was pulling in to Alnmouth. We had a look round and then made our way back to the beachside log cabin we were renting at Beadnell - which was lovely. That night we called for fish and chips because Sarah had not had any all week - which seems rude when you ar eby the coast! Well, I am delighted to report that having stolen 3 forks worth of fish, and one chip - I was able to not only taste them - but swallow them too! It stung immensely - but that was only temporary until I swished the Coca Cola round my mouth. We then went on to a gorgeous pub, http://www.shipinnnewton.co.uk/ where we met two friends Sarah had made earlier in the week on one of her many walks. We had a cracking evening and a good chat - and I believe Annie and Steve (and of course Marley the dog) have already found the blog!

Friday came and we decided to visit Holy Island. I've never been before and was pleased the tide was well out before we made our way across the causeway. During our visit, apart from Lindisfarne Priory - a highlight was our visit to http://www.cafebeangoose.co.uk/ where I am delighted to announce I took on some vegetable soup and a cafe latte. The first cafe latte I have had since February. After Holy Island we called in at Bamburgh then back on to our accomodation, where I fell asleep and pretty much stayed that way til the Sat morning.

Saturday was our last day in Northumberland, and with a trip to the Lake District in the offing we did what all sensible people would. We went to the beach. The weather was gorgeous.... We also stopped at The Village Bakery in Melmerby on the way over to Grasmere - the home of organic bread. (I didn' thave any!). I dd have another latte though!

On Sunday I was again encouraged to try something and so I sampled a spoonful of Angelas (from our fave gusthouse Banerigg) scrambled egg - and that went down very bell. Later that day at Lucys On A late restaurant in Ambleside I was very tempted by the tomato soup but it just proved to be that little to hot. Not sure if the picture does it justice.

It was also far too spicy - however - err - the bread and butter was very nice.

Final choce on the menue was custard. As you can see I didnt do a bad job with the custard!!

Obviously it was Sarah's birthday last night and I can't go any further without wishng her a happy birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART - HERES TO MANY MANY MORE...

And to MOnday - not to many after effects from the meal other than usual - and I left to come home.

I hope thats not been too boring for you - I will livene th next oneup!!

Gonna log off now - all the best to everyone who sent me a card in hospital.

Have you ever typed while falling asleep? The above few words in bold were typed while I was falling asleep (long day) and I will leav them as they are. I have no idea what I was talking about whoth the 'all the best to everyone who sent me a car in hospital) - thats an entire mystery!!

All the best

Nigel xx

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Latest status report: Much improved...!!

2008-06-24T11:57:00+02:00

I did promise the blog weary amongst you that I would refrain from any further posts until my situation had changed significantly.

Well, I'm delighted to report that after almost a week and a half of morphine pain relief, Solpadeine and 2 hourly mouthwash swill with 2 separate types of mouthwash - my situation right now can only be described as 'much better'!!

As last week drew to a close the pains in my mouth seemed to be reaching their peak - and sure enough over the weekend they subsided. I even managed to drink a few sips of Coca Cola on Sunday - although I had read on one of the advice sites (I think it was the Macmillan Cancer Relief forum) that Coca Cola was considered a good treatment for mucositis (although obviously doctors will not advise you to use it!!)

Not managed any food yet - but I'm going to try today. Nothing difficult - I have some custard pots in the cupboard that I'm going to warm. They were recommended by the hospital because they have a fairly high calorie count compared to some of the other rubbish you can eat.

So - things are looking up - pretty sure I won't be eating significantly by Sarah's birthday meal on Sunday (now THAT would be ambitious!!) but at least I'll be able to have a glass of coke to toast her beginning her 40th (yes 40th) year!

So, as I don't expect to type on here again until after your birthday - have a great day Sarah, happy birthday. xxxx

I'm sure you will all join me in wishing her a happy birthday too.

All the best

Nigel xx

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So why have you picked the songs you've picked?

2008-06-24T11:42:38+02:00

Totally non-health related posting here - so if you think its self-indulgent - theres always the 'off button'

A few days ago I installed the juke box on the site - for a few reasons I suppose.

I thought it was quite a nifty gadget and that appeals to my geeky side.
Music speaks volumes about a person - and I know loads of people who havent a clue what music I like to listen to
I thought it might be nice to listen to a few tracks I've chosen while you read the site.

I've moved the jukebox to the bottom of the page for purely visual reasons - its a bit of a cumbersome tool and I didn't like that I couldn't move it around on the page, or change the width of it. But if you scroll down and click play on any track, it will do just that, and then continue to shuffle the tracks and play til you leave the page. If you want to keep the music playing while you view other web pages/email etc, just leave this page open and minimise it if you like, and open a new page for your continued browsing (sorry if thats teaching you how to suck eggs!! )

I guess I owe my love of music to two sources really, When I was growing up Mum and Dad enrolled us in the June Tyrell School of Dancing in Rotherham - where I was taught from an early age to do the sort of dancing you see on Saturday nights these days in Strictly Come Dancing! I hated it mostly (usually cos the kids at school regularly took the mickey), and usually because it coincided with a game of footy on the park. However, it instilled in me a sense of rhythm thats never left me, and i still prefer music with a damn good beat or bassline.

The other source was a very good friend of mine, John, whom I met when my parents moved the family to live in Bahrain in the late 70's. John worked at the same firm as my Dad, and was a young bloke at the time who seemed to have no end to his abilities - or workrate either. In all the years I've known him, thats never changed. His day job at the Aluminium plant in Bahrain seemed to get in the way of his lifestyle - he played in a band, dj'd in all the big hotels and clubs in Bahrain, he hosted a radio show on Radio Bahrain (the only English speaking radio station serving the Gulf), and did promotions work too.

During my time there - and with the benefit of living 3 doors away - I helped out with most things. I roadied for him, answered the phones on his radio show, helped with maintenance of the gear. It was brilliant, I learnt so much about music in that time and remember with great fondness the radio show in particular. It was on a Thursday afternoon (which was like our Saturday afternoon as its the weekend in Arabian countries) and ran from 3 til 6pm. I know it was listened to by a massive proportion of the ex-patriate community and they would listen in while lighting their bbq's, and ring the show with requests. A lot of the time they would also ring in and ask us to 'tell Pete to collect 2 more steaks on his way home, Pat and Dave have called round'...

But what I remember the most was the music. I remember great tracks that I would never have listened to at home by people like Amen Corner, The Beach Boys, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Fleetwood Mac and many many more. It was brilliant stuff for a lad of 11/12 to grow up on. And it gave me such an appreciation for where music had come from.

You could hear the influences in later tracks taken from earlier stuff after a while. John used to explain it to me, and at first it went completely over my head, but after a while started to pick up on it myself. Its incredible just how much music derived (and still does) from the late 50's and Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Ray Charles and of course, the King, Elvis Presley. (My Dad hates Elvis Presley - to this day I think he's still bitter that he never visited England! - isn't that right Dad!!)

I guess theres no need to explain why some of the tracks are on there - given the background I've just outlined. You may be surprised by some choices though. To be honest - one of the hardest questions I can ever be asked is "Whats yur favourite ever 3/5/10 songs.". I could spend days deliberating over a question like that, going through my CD's and I-pod, writing tracks down and scribbling them out! So please - don't ask!

My favourite album of all time is dead easy - The Lexicon of Love by ABC. They were a Sheffield band in the 80's - the music and lyrics were just perfect on every song on the album - and it's still a regular in the car. People will remember Poison Arrow and The Look of Love - I know the lyrics to every song on the album I've listened to it so many times.

Favourite present day music? Theres some great bands out at the moment - I really like the Killers, Embrace and Snow Patrol. i can listen to the Klaxons when i'm in the mood, and of course Sheffield is really back on the scene with the Arctic Monkeys and Reverend and the Makers. Not bothered about Little Man Tate though. And of course the dance music scene is fantastic - anything that Fedde Le Grand touches turns to gold! Everytime I see footage from a Faithless concert I want to be there - so maybe i could be the oldest swinger at one of their gigs in the near future... Favourite current Track - Newton faulkner - Dream Catch Me - it had me in tears a few times I don't mind admitting during the last 6 months - the words just seemed to talk to me in a way thats difficult to explain.

Music from the past? Well, thats really tough - theres just so much to choose from. I'm constantly accused of being stuck in the 80's - and why the hell not!? The Human League, Depeche Mode, OMD, Heaven 17 and New Order were all brilliant, and there were brilliant one-hit wonders like Belouis Some (I'm not counting Some People as that was rubbish), and Danny Wilson (not the former Wednesday player!) who recorded Mary's Prayer - which is always up near the top of my list of favourites, Colonel Abrams with Trapped and Ten City with 'Thats The Way Love Is' - probably the best dance track of all time.

I was a slow starter with Oasis. Ive seen them a few times live now and have vowed to catch them live every year they tour now - they really are a band better heard on stage. If you can cope with all the unsavoury things the crowd throw around in pint pots of course. I saw them at the City of Manchester Stadium in 2006 - and that was quite lterally the biggest 'singalong' I've ever witnessed!! The following night I was at the Reebok stadium in Bolton to see Coldplay - and while it was a great gig - it really didn't get close to touching the quality of the previous night. If you havent seen Oasis - make the effort. But take a brolly

Flicking through my playlist - I reckon theres as much stuff from the 70's as the 80's and thats clearly as a result of Johns influence. Theres plenty of Ska - from The Beat to the Specials and I really liked Selecter in the day. Theres also plenty of early stuff from Michael Jackson - his Off The Wall album regularly sits alongside ABC in my car - he's a brilliant (if slightly troubled) performer - but then show me an artistic genius from the past who didn't have similarl issues!

I'm sure some will question the inclusion of the Carpenters. The Carpenters are Sunday mornings growing up at Mum and Dads - right from being toddlers to teenagers. Actually - as teenagers we were regularly awoken with the sound of the Carpenters - Mum not being one to sympathise to hangovers too much. Now why couldn't it have been Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up to wake up to - there is no better song to start a Sunday morning to! Especially if you're having freshly squeezed orange juice and croissants! (I'm sounding like a Marks and Spencers advert now!)

Rappers Delight by the Sugarhill Gang is another song I know from start to finish - its been played so much in the car. Even the kids know this one off by heart - which I think is pretty impressive considering its quite a complex rap in places - but it certainly demonstrates they are getting a good upbringing!!

I can't finish without a mention for Marvin Gaye. What a loss he was to the world of music and still with so much ahead. The same with Freddie Mercury - I never saw Queen live either - so I guess the moral of the story is - if they are touring and you have always fancied seeing them - go and see them. You never know whats round the corner - for them (or you) - so do it. Now.

Anyway - I've just spotted how many words I've typed and realised that this really is a self-indulgent topic - if you've made it this far - WELL DONE! Many thanks to Mum and Dad and particularly John R for shaping my musical tatses thus far - and I hope you enjoy the playlist I've put together.

All the best

Nigel xx

PS: As I'm just about to publish this topic Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol is just finishing - what a song. Perfect.

PPS: I can't believe I've written that entire article and not mentioned George Michael - or even given him a track on a playlist. Can you imagine me trying to trim that list to 3/5...

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A very quick (and very late at night) update...

2008-06-19T00:24:24+02:00

Hi peeps

OK, the Corsodyl and Difflam combination mouthwash appears (a this very early stage) to be having some positive benefits, along with the increased morphine - and so I'm starting to up my liquid intake ever so slightly. I will try tomorrow - its a long and painful process so bear with me. Ive also been using a 'Saliva Replacement Gel' at night - sounds disgusting - believe me, it is. I apply it to my tongue with my finger then use my tongue to coat the rest of my mouth - stings like mad to start with but applied 2/3 times during the night it has been helping me sleep.

So progress, albeit tiny - but progress all the same.

As a result of my increasing boredom, and the fact that I'm always trying to teach myself something new - I've been playing with 'web widgets' these last couple of days. The music widget you see above is one of them, I love it but think its a bit too big where it is - again bear with me and i'll see what I can do - but I thought you might want to play some music that I have personally chosen while reading the site - and I'm sure i will receive more complaints than compliments! Just click on it - it will play randomly but if you see tracks you like click on them and it will override the randomness!! I will be adding to the track listing over the next few days - the ones you see where the first ones that came to mind this evening....

If I get loads of complaints I'll probably remove it - but hey, its my site - who knows!!

See you later

Nigel xx

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OK - now I'm starting to spoil you all...

2008-06-16T22:00:44+02:00

3rd blog post in 4 days? Its obvious who's bored isn't it!

I'll apologise in advance because this post is going to be quite educational in places and I know most of you read this blog to be informed - not educated!

Following another sleepless night we contacted the hospital yet again (I hope they don't think I'm a pain) and were told that my oncologist Bernie was at Doncaster Royal Infirmary this afternoon - but (as is usual with their helpful nature) I was more than welcome to attend the clinic there.

I agreed and thanks to sister Lou for chauffeuring duties today.

The morphine dose I had been prescribed really wasn't touching the pain last week, so I read the leaflet that came with the bottle and re-prescribed myself an increased dosage in line with the instructions. This again didn't seem to be working and so I started taking the morphine in conjunction with Solpadeine - a very strong soluble pain relief that can be taken through the peg. Frustratingly - nothing seems overly effective at reducing the pain of the oral thrush.

And following todays appointment with Bernie (where she put a camera up my nose again 'to have a good look at the throat from the inside') its becoming clear why nothing is working on the oral thrush. Its because I don't have oral thrush. At all. It is mucositis after all. And I have a lot of it.

People who don't like graphic descriptions should perhaps stop reading now.

OK, this is the educational bit. The mucositis has basically attacked my tongue, inner cheeks and throat and is a common side-effect of radiation therapy in head and neck cancers. What it has done is stripped the lining of the soft membranes in my mouth, leaving the red flesh and nerve endings that are underneath exposed. Which would explain why drinking even water is so painful.

This is an extract from Wikipedia about Mucositis. Clicking on any of the red 'links' will take you to the Wikipedia page for more info.

Mucositis is the painful inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract, usually as an adverse effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for cancer.

As a result of cell death in reaction to chemo- or radio-therapy, the mucosal lining of the mouth becomes thin, may slough off and then become red, inflamed and ulcerated. The ulcers may become covered by a yellowish white fibrin clot called a pseudomembrane. Peripheral erythema is usually present. Ulcers may range from 0.5 cm to greater than 4 cm. Oral mucositis can be severely painful. The degree of pain is usually related to the extent of the tissue damage. Pain is often described as a burning sensation accompanied by reddening. Due to pain, the patient may experience trouble speaking, eating, or even opening the mouth.

Diagnosis is based on the symptoms the patient is experiencing and the appearance of the tissues of the mouth following chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants or radiotherapy. Red burn-like sores or ulcers throughout the mouth is enough to diagnose mucositis.

Treatment of mucositis is mainly supportive. Oral hygiene is the mainstay of treatment; patients are encouraged to clean their mouth every four hours and at bedtime, more often if the mucositis becomes worse. Water-soluble jellies can be used to lubricate the mouth. Salt mouthwash can soothe the pain and keep food particles clear so as to avoid infection. Patients are also encouraged to drink plenty of liquids, at least three liters a day, and avoid alcohol. Citrus fruits, alcohol, and foods that are hot are all known to aggravate mucositis lesions. Medicinal mouthwashes may be used such as Chlorhexidine gluconate and viscous Lidocain for relief of pain.

And so endeth the lesson.

It was suggested that in order to increase my drinking of liquids it is important to get the pain under control. I now have to take my morphine every 2 hours, not 4. I also have to maintain the Solpadeine - though stick to every 4 hours with that. I have a range of mouthwashes too. One thing that wasn't prescribed was Corsodyl mouthwash - but I've just had a rinse with that as I was in the bathroom anyway (after diluting it with water - all of the mouthwashes are far too sharp without dilution) and that has relieved the pain quite a bit - briefly yes but its a start.

After the appointment I was introduced to the Speech and Language therapist Sam, who was lovely. She was so understanding and I have a follow up appointment with her in 3 weeks, when hopefully the tongue won't be as sore and we can start working on some exercises for the tongue, throat, neck and mouth. (Not THOSE kind of exercises - I just know where some of your minds would be going with that)

I have to do these to regain full movement - as you can imagine with the pain on my tongue I am starting to speak with minimal use of the tongue and this is making me sound quite strange.

So I've had a quiet evening in tonight in front of the Germany-Austria game, talking to nobody as Sarah has been in Sheffield watching The Wedding Singer at the Lyceum. I hope whoever got my ticket for this really enjoyed it.

I've just realised I've already typed far more than I'd planned and with 3 posts in 4 days I'd hate to get accused of boring you all - so with that in mind I will bid you 'Good night' and promise you - no more blog posts until things change - significantly!

Thanks for stopping by

Nigel xx

PS: This is quite an important PS. Can I apologise to people close to me at the moment - you all know who you are. I know I'm being very grumpy at the moment, and I know that as the people nearest to me you probably are on the sharp end of my tongue more than any of you deserve at the moment. I'm really genuinely very sorry. I start each day consciously thinking 'I will be more tolerant today'. At the moment I seem to break that promise before 9am on each day. Its not personal (at all) its entirely down to pain and frustration and none of you deserve it. And I don't deserve the way you all manage to bite your own tongues (I will stop talking about tongues in a minute!) and not shout back at me. Well, some of you don't!

Please, if I'm being grumpy or short - tell me. Sorry again. Love you all.

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