HAPPY WORLD CANCER DAY

I’m not going to lie when I say I hate the word cancer. It fills me with thoughts of suffering, pain and worst of all fear. Considering I’ve had 29 years to get used to it since first being diagnosed at age 7, hearing that word hasn’t gotten any easier.

But when I think about one of the many reasons I shared my story in the first place, I am reminded of that wonderful little thing called hope. I shared my story to show others that cancer can be beaten and that there is a joy filled and fulfilling life after cancer.

Survival rates of cancer are on the increase gang. More people are surviving than ever before. Thanks to new research, new treatments, improved surgical techniques, early diagnosis, better nutrition, psychological support and more hopeful and inspiring success stories to boost people’s inner belief, we are beating cancer into the ground.

I sit here today on World Cancer Day as a two time survivor with some of my bowel missing, one kidney, a blocked main vein and a few mental scars but all things considered, I am in pretty good health. Even when in remission for bowel cancer I managed to travel around the world for two years. The body is an amazing thing.

I know people who have incurable cancer who are still here years after their diagnosis and living life to the full. They show others that there is also life during cancer.

Cancer isn’t the guaranteed death sentence it once was once thought to be and when I think of current survival rates and what I’ve been through personally it fills me with hope and optimism for the future. There is still a lot of work to do especially on the likes brain and pancreatic cancer but we are on the right track.

This blog was all about doing fun things and enjoying life again. Not just for people affected by cancer but for everyone.

Today on World Cancer Day I treated myself to one of my favourite things in life….having a coffee in a coffee shop. It’s a simple thing but one I am very grateful that I can still do and enjoy. I also took time to remember the friends I have lost to this awful disease. I promise you all to live the best life I possibly can.

I hope you all managed to pick up a unity band from CRUK, Anthony Nolan, Breast Cancer Care or Movember and I hope you are having a great day today doing something that you enjoy in life.

Love and thoughts to all those who are currently fighting this awful disease. Keep fighting and never stop believing.

I woke up to this wonderful message today which I think sums up what today is all about. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this Kate. You made my day.

‘Hello you wonderful guy. I just wanted to send a message and say that I am thinking of you, more so today than on other days.. I am thinking of your past struggles and how you have seriously kicked c’s behind. You are strong, a fighter, a giver, a hope-carrier…and i am damn proud to know you.

I am also thinking of Vicky and Row…may Vicky find her direction and may Row stay strong-willed and strong-minded but above all positive, goodness knows she has enough reason not to.

For all of those you and I know and/or have heard of, who have fought and won, or fought so bravely but sadly lost…you are all amazing and in my thoughts.

All of you are so amazing and you Greig, you have made me a little less frightened of what might be one day, a little stronger-minded with regards to fighting. Life is for the living. I hope you hold your head up high, stick your middle finger up at C, take a huge deep breath and have a great day.

With love and bear hugs. xxxx’

THREE INSPIRING DAYS WITH CANCER RESEARCH UK

I had the immense pleasure of spending a few of my days with the wonderful gang at CRUK last and there are certainly some amazing things going on over there.

On Thursday I was asked to speak at the Region 5 conference in Woburn which was held at Woburn Safari park. I must admit I saw the words ‘safari park’ before I saw anything else so immediately said yes!:) It turned out to be the most amazing day where I met loads of amazing fundraisers and listened to a very inspirational talk by two incredible researchers who told us all about the incredible Francis Crick Institute which is set to open next year.

Francis Crick was one Britain’s greatest ever scientists and famous for discovering the DNA double helix structure. This Institute is set it to turn cancer on its head by CRUK teaming up with 5 of the worlds leading medical research organisations. This exciting collaboration is all about bringing together the worlds greatest minds and figuring out new techniques for treating cancer and a whole host of other illnesses. The last 10 years have brought about such wonderful developments in treatments and the next 10 years are set to bring about even more incredible life saving developments in cancer research. Brain tumours, pancreatic cancer and childhood cancers are very much on the agenda so there will some exciting work taking place when the centre opens.

I then got the chance to visit one of cancer research UK’s labs in London on Friday and saw the exiting things going on there. I would love to update you all with all I learned but there were some big words being used and all I really understood was that there are lots of successful clinical trails, new cutting edge treatments and the outlook was looking very very good! Which was all I really needed to hear. Lots of very clever people doing very clever things.

My week with CRUK came to a climax as I was asked to be the closing speaker of the two day Relay for Life Summit in London.
200 ridiculously inspiring people from relays all over the UK coming from places as far wide as Scotland and Gibraltar. There was even a representative from the American Society there who came all the way from Chicago to see how it’s done properly!:) They were all so welcoming to me and to receive a standing ovation at the end of my presentation was just mind blowing and extremely overwhelming. I didn’t know what to do with myself. Should I wave, bow or just hide!:) It was an amazing moment and one which I will never forget. A huge thank you to everyone for making me feel so welcome.

Relay for life raised over 2.4 million pounds this year for CRUK which is just astonishing. This event isn’t really promoted as much as other fundraising events and is organised by volunteers. I can safely say it’s my favourite one by far. It’s fun, it’s inspiring and you are surrounded by the most amazing people. I went to my first relay in Australia and then again here in the UK and I just love it. I am creating a team for next year so if you fancy coming to hang out with me and the rest of the crazy relayers then please let me know and we can work our Team 101 magic and raise some cash whilst having a grand old time.

After the sad and horrific events in Paris on Friday it’s easy to think that the world is a horrible evil place. I loved my talk on Sunday even more than usual because I could once again remind people that the world we live in is a very beautiful place filled with incredibly kind and loving people. Sadly there are a few idiots in this world who like to try and ruin it for the rest but they really are just a few.

For a little injection of hope when it comes to our old foe cancer, please take a look at the annual review for cancer research UK. I read it and I was extremely impressed and hopeful for the future.
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-us/our-organisation/annual-report-and-accounts/annual-review

Huge congratulations to everyone at CRUK. You are changing the world.

Good luck Team 101

This time last year I was getting ready to embark on the third most physically demanding challenge of my life (the first two were involuntary and started with the letter C) and complete a 140 mile bike ride across the state of Connecticut in the USA to raise money for a camp for seriously ill children.

Sadly I can’t make it this year but that hasn’t stopped the legend that is Andy Heaps from creating TEAM 101! Not only that he had modified Angelride to make even more difficult for him and the other Team 101 members. Instead of 140 miles they will ride 250 miles, with 110 of those miles being through the night in what they have called ‘Hills of Hope’. Their plan is simple, they want to want to almost kill themselves doing something amazing in order to raise as much money as possible for a place that helps makes seriously ill children better.

In order to help prepare these cycling warriors for this weekends challenge I have attached my Rocky IV tribute montage that I made last year to help motivate me. It’s hilariously bad but it worked so make sure you watch and learn Team 101!

I have asked you all for a lot this week and this will be my last request for a while but I would love it if you could please help sponsor Team 101 and help them reach their target of $12,000 for the Hole in the Wall gang camp.
You can read more about their challenge and also sponsor them here.

https://www.crowdrise.com/Andy-ANGELRIDE2015/fundraiser/andyheeps

If I weren’t still on the road I would be attempting this madness as well.

Good luck to Team 101 and to all those taking part in Angelride this weekend. You are all heroes.

Movember – Final update

It’s now been 30 days since I started growing my ‘Mo’ and it was only 4 days ago I decided to give up dreaming of gaining the Tom Sellick look and I’ve officially settled for the Errol Flynn look.

I gave my ‘Mo’ a little trim the other day to try and give the same kind of classy look as this cinematic legend!:) What do you think? Separated at birth?:)

Myself and the team didn’t quite reach our £500 goal but I’m sure the money we did raise will go someway to help raise awareness and research for men’s health issues. A huge thank you to everyone who has sponsored us. If you’d like to donate please see link below.
http://moteam.co/101-things-to-do-when-you-survive

Fortunately I have only suffered from one of the three men’s health issues which Moevember raises awareness for. I have managed to avoid prostate and testicular cancer but mental health issues and me still do battle on a daily basis.
I’ve said a lot about my experiences with mental health issues so I won’t keep banging on about it. I’ve attached a couple of links to blogs I have written regarding my own experiences with what I have described ‘as worse than both of cancers put together’. That says an awful lot coming from a guy who has multiple major operations and a ridiculous amount of chemo and radiotherapy.

Those of you who have also experienced mental health issues will also know that this is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Mental health

In the UK alone 6045 people died by suicide in 2011. Over three quarters of these deaths were men.
The basic truth is that men don’t like to talk about their issues. To a man being ‘manly’ means being able to cope with….anything! Admitting vulnerabilities or expressing emotions are not a mans strong point.
However admitting there is a problem is the first step to remedying it!

Types of mental illness

Depression
Anxiety
Bipolar disorder
Psychosis and Schizophrenia
Eating disorders

To learn more about these please types of mental health issues please click on this link- http://uk.movember.com/mens-health/mental-health

Things that helped me

Talk to someone

There are loads of help lines and charities that can help. The first thing you should do is talk about it. You’ll be amazed by how many people will be experiencing the same thing.

Here was I thinking I was losing my mind three years ago and since sharing my story it turns out that an awful lot of people were experiencing the same thing.

Exercise and eat well

It makes sense that looking after your physical well being directly effects your mental health. Go out for a walk, run or a swim and then come back and have a homemade fruit and wheatgrass smoothie. I can guarantee this will help give you a well needed lift in your emotional well being.

Get in touch with nature (yes I am hippie!)

Go for a walk or lie down in a park. Hug a tree, go camping, walk barefoot on grass or paddle in the sea or a river. We are not designed to sit behind desks or drive cars. When I did these things it alleviated the side effects of chemotherapy and gave my mind time to relax and be visually stimulated by beautiful natural things. I promise you this does help if even for just a short while.

Have things to look forward to doing

I know not everyone can up and leave like I have done but even having short weekend trips or meeting with friends at the weekend give you something to look forward to. It is looking forward to doing things that I enjoy that helped me more than anything. Just planning this trip helped me get over the first major effect of my anxiety which was insomnia. Once I started to look forward to doing things my fear of the future instead turned into excitement.

Writing

I was never much of a writer before starting this blog but now I write all the time. I absolutely love it. I write mostly for the blog but also just for me. I find writing down my thoughts and feelings helps me reflect on the positive and distance my self from the negative. Try writing for yourself and then when you feel comfortable share it with family or friends. My dad didn’t agree with me leaving my job and going travelling. He never quite understood what I was going through. I wrote a business type plan explaining my reasons for needing to do this trip that helped him realise the true extent of my mental health issues. After he read this he gave me his blessing and finally understood. Sometimes writing things down can not only help explain things more clearly but also help others understand them better.

Remind yourself of all you have in this moment

Someone asked me recently if I ever thought of suicide. I have never thought of killing myself but I do remember wondering if there was any point to living anymore. If life was going to be like this then what was the point. I would then realise that in this moment all is well. What happens in the future happens but right now I don’t have cancer and I’m doing ok. This realisation would and still has to be reiterated three or four times a day but nonetheless it brings me back round to knowing that in this moment I am well and I have everything I need.

Whatever issues you are experiencing please know that there is help and you are not alone. Most of all please remember that there is a way through these dark times.

To seek support in whatever country you are in please type in ‘Mental Health support’ in your internet search engine.

My blogs on mental health

World Mental Health Day

Anxiety and Depression

An amazing day in Oz

I was asked by the amazing people at Cancer Council to give a short speech at their relay for life event on Saturday. I expected to pop in there for a couple of hours, say a few words and chat to some people afterwards but 12 hours later I found myself still there and having the most amazing time.

This event wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. I thought it would be primarily focused on the 24 hour relay around a track but it was so much more than that. This was a wonderful community event where people from all walks of life came to celebrate life, encourage hope and remember those that have been lost.

I gave a chat in the survivors and carers tent in the morning and another chat later on in the day. I told of my experiences with cancer and PTSD and that I had learned that there is hope for us all.

There were so many different activities going on throughout the day; A thai chi class, swing dance lessons, a chiropractors tent, a petting zoo, a bouncy castle (so much fun) and lots of bands and singers who performed all through the day. There were also two local politicians answering questions on how the government is tackling cancer and a wonderful speech by a leading oncology expert.

I also took part in a beauty pageant where I finished in an amazing third place….out of a total three people ! I couldn’t argue, the other two looked far better in dresses than I did. There were also three young lads there who all had there head shaved and raised over $1000 in the process. Amazing!

The highlight of the day though was the candlelight ceremony of hope where everyone comes together to remember loved ones and support those still fighting cancer. Electric candles are lit and put in bags with a message of hope written on the outside.

It was beautiful to see everyone carrying their candle bags of hope around the track in the Sydney moonlight. I was asked to sit on the stage and to light one of three candles which represent hope, survivors and carers and remembrance.

There were readings, a choir, a singer and a speech by the most incredible woman. Alison has been battling ovarian cancer for 7 years now. She was given a terminal diagnosis but thanks to new treatment she is still here, still fighting and one again loving life. She told me that cancer is the best thing ever to happen to her. She said how it changed her whole life and has helped her appreciate life even more. I was extremely overwhelmed to be in such inspiring company.

Many people camped out for the night and continued the fun and the walking until 10 o’clock the next day.

A huge thank you to the cancer council for letting me part of their wonderful world. These guys are dedicated to the defeat of cancer and raise money for research, prevention and support. They have been instrumental in improving the lives of many Australians via their campaigns. I loved them even more when I found out their motif is the ‘daffodil’ which represents hope. Hope is my most favourite thing in the world. Hope can achieve so much….love, happiness, optimism and a belief that anything is possible. I hope when you read this it finds you all well and filled with hope.

“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things and good things never die”
The Shawshank Redemption

Cancer council Facebook page-
https://www.facebook.com/cancercouncilaustralia

Day 1 of Movember – Clean shaven

So here it is, photo 1 of my Movember challenge. It’s the first time I’ve been clean shaven since I was in Guatemala last October. The time has now come to attempt to grow a moustache and look thoroughly ridiculous for an entire month. The rule is to only grow a moustache and be clean shaven everywhere else! This should be fun but I don’t think it’s going to help with my love life! 🙂

The Movember Foundation was started in Australia and aims to put a fun twist on serious male health issues. Using the moustache as a catalyst, the idea is to bring about change and give men the opportunity and confidence to learn and talk about their health and take action when needed.

I will of course be raising awareness about bowel cancer as well as testicular and prostate cancer which with early diagnosis are totally curable. Unfortunately many do not seek help early enough and leave it too late. Perhaps they don’t know what the symptoms are or maybe men are just to embarrassed to talk about it. With my new ‘tash’ I plan to let them know what the deal is and how to not only spot it early but also prevent it happening in the first place via a healthy lifestyle. Early diagnosis after all helped saved my life!

I will also be raising awareness about mental health issues which affect 1 in 8 men in the UK alone. That’s quite a statistic. Hopefully with the power of my ‘tash’ I can let blokes know that it’s ok to talk about their mental health and also let them know that there is a lot of help out there which can help them.

I will also be fundraising and recruiting men to join the 101 Things To do When You Survive team. I would love it if you could help me raise a little bit of money for this wonderful cause.

You can donate and sign up here: – http://moteam.co/101-things-to-do-when-you-survive

I will be posting regular photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram showing the progress of my moustache. I will be appearing on TV here in OZ on Friday so fingers crossed I can have something ready to show the viewers!:)

Let the awareness spreading, tash growing and fun begin!

A candle of hope for Sam

There is a little boy is Australia who is currently fighting for his life. Sam is 8 years old and was diagnosed with cancer last July. It’s not known how long Sam has left to live.

The beautiful Sunshine Coast community have begun a virtual candlelight vigil for Sam, posting photos of candles and messages of support on Sam’s Journey Facebook page.

The amazing organisation 52 Lives has asked people to help support Sam’s family by joining Sam’s local community and posting photos and messages of support on Sam’s Facebook page.

Here is what 52 Lives and 101 Things to Do When Your survive would love our very own communities to do:-

Light a candle, take a photo and post it on Sam’s Facebook group page with a message of support for Sam, Mark, Tanya and Ella (you may need to click ‘Join Group’ before you can post)
If you are not on Facebook or if you would just prefer to do it by email, you can email your photos and messages to 52 Lives and we will share them with the family:- http://www.52-lives.org/#!life–34—sam-martin/cwxi
If you don’t have a candle or time to get one then please feel free to copy the picture I have taken here and paste it with your own message of support to Sam.

Please upload messages and photos to https://m.facebook.com/groups/samsjourney/

Thank you all so much.
X

My message to Sam and his family:-

Hey Sam! Keep believing and fighting my friend. I was your age when I was ill and you look like much more of a warrior than I ever was. Keep going pal.
We are all with you and sending all of our love and support to you and your family. I lit this candle for you in Scotland. The sun was trying to get around the clouds and once I had taken the photo it popped out. It was almost as if it was trying to say hello to you and to let you know that along with the light of the candle it shines bright for you and your beautiful family.

Stay strong buddy. We all think you are amazing and brave.

My ice bucket challenge

ALS/Motor Neurone Disease and Anthony Nolan

Thank you to my beautiful friend Kiki for nominating me for the ALS ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE.

I nominate my fellow AngelRiders:- Lynn McCarthy, Fred Brooke, Brian and Chaleen Abely and Andy Heeps.

An amazing cause and I’ve loved seeing all the videos on Facebook. What a wonderful way to raise money and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease.

You can donate by texting fight against MND, text ICED55 £5 to 70070 or visit: www.justgiving.com/icebucket4MND

If you’ve already donated or can’t afford to please instead register FREE on the Anthony Nolan register and you could save a life! You could even do both! 😉

http://www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-you-could-save-life/donate-your-stem-cells/apply-join-our-register

Post by 101 Things To Do When You Survive.

AngelRide, an experience of a lifetime

…and the people who made it happen

As my time to volunteer at the Hole in the Wall camp approaches I suddenly realised I hadn’t shared any of the pictures of what turned out to be the most wonderful experience of my life.

I rode 140 miles in 2 days across the state of Connecticut which was the most physically demanding thing I’ve ever achieved. For years I’ve thought of myself as weak and unfit but at the finish on Sunday evening I dispelled those beliefs for good and for the first time ever, I felt invincible. I rode next to my hero, my big brother Barry and had the woman who’s gotten me through everything life has throne at me waiting for me at the finish line, my wonderful mum, Phyllis.

These are a few of my pictures of Angelride and of some the wonderful people I met in the days leading up to and during the ride.

The second picture is of the amazing people that made it all possible for me to be there.

The guy on the left is a guy called Andy Heeps. I’d never met Andy before but he saw my story over Christmas when it hit the press and emailed me to ask if I’d consider participating in Angelride. At the time I was receiving 100’s of messages but Andy’s really stood out. He told me about a bike ride which was the most inspirational experience he’d ever had and then described the amazing cause it raises money for. The cause was for the Hole in the Wall gang camp. A camp and hospital outreach programme for serious ill children. He wrote so passionately that I immediately said yes not really thinking about it. I told him I couldn’t do it this year but maybe sometime in the future.

For months Andy pretty much chased me around South America sending me emails with pictures of the bike he was building for me to ride and how he was looking forward to riding with me. The guy was relentless!

Andy kept emailing me and it suddenly dawned on me that I probably wouldn’t be able to the ride next year either as I would most likely be in Asia then. I emailed Andy that perhaps I would do it in 2016 instead and that way I could train for it as well. Andy emailed back and told me that once I took part in this ride I would be returning every year.

I was in Argentina at the time with about a month to go until the 2014 ride and and I emailed him and said “I know I haven’t trained or ever ridden a bike like this but what if I came this year and did the ride instead”?

With that Andy got in touch with Lynn (also pictured) the organiser. Possibly the loveliest person you could ever hope to meet and they found me a place to stay. I booked a last minute flight from Brazil to the US. Lynn got me all my equipment and was constantly checking to see how I was feeling, even warning me not to push myself as many people don’t finish the ride. She and her wonderful partner Fred (who is iron man by the way) introduced me to Brian and Chaleen who let me (a stranger) stay at their house for almost 10 days to train and get used to…riding a bike!:) With that I had gained an entire new family.

I was even given the number 101 as my riding number!

I have so much I want to say about all of them but I’ll save that for my book. Andy, Lynn, Fred, Chaleen and Brian (third picture) invited me into their lives and I’ve never looked back.

I remember hovering over the ‘purchase’ button when booking my flight to the states debating whether it was a good idea to leave South America for a bike ride. It was without doubt one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I wanted to do this trip so that I could breathe deeply again, to get my heart racing with excitement, to smile and to meet people that touch your heart in a way that you wonder how you ever managed to survive without them in your life. I got all that from following my heart and taking part in Angelride.

A huge thank you

Thanks to you (the 101 gang) 101 Things to Do When You Survive was able to raise $4880 for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in just a few weeks. Every time I received an email from donations company informing me about a new donation it was like winning the lottery. Thanks to you seriously ill children will get a chance to smile, feel normal and experience happiness again.
Thank you all so much for believing in me and this wonderful cause.

I try not to put too many pictures in my albums but with this one I just couldn’t help myself. To view all the pics (39 in total) please click into the album at the top of the post.

Lynn has extended the time period for donations so if you’d still like to sponsor me and donate to the Hole in the Wall gang camp then please see the following link:-
https://www.crowdrise.com/Greig-AngelRide2015/fundraiser/greigtrout

Help Hollie! Pants on your head!

Hollie is an 8 year old girl who has been diagnosed with a rare form of bone marrow failure syndrome and desperately needs a bone marrow transplant to survive. A member of her family put their pants on their head once to cheer her up and now they are trying to spread awareness about donating bone marrow by getting people to put their pants on their head.

If you are aged between 16-30 in good health and want to help Hollie then please visit www.anthonynolan.org and request a pack. They will send you a ‘spit kit’, you take a salvia sample and send it back in a pre paid envelope! Super easy and you could literally save someone’s life!

Even those who are over 30 may be eligible so please visit http://www.deletebloodcancer.org.uk/ to see if you could be a life saver.

Right gang! Let’s see those pictures of you with your pants on your head! Tweet to @HelpHollie or follow ‘help Hollie’ on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Helphollie/254876644714864 or visit www.helphollie.com

Good luck Hollie. Everyone at 101 Things is behind you! I’m wearing pretty much all the pants I own in this photo. The ones on my head are the cleanest!:)

Please share and spread Hollie’s story and get on that register! Thanks so much gang.

#Pantsonyourhead