FIGHTING CANCER IN STYLE
Jaime and I got a chance to put our glad rags on recently for the annual Topic of Cancer Purple Ball.
Such a fun night packed with magicians, auctions, West End and TV stars, choirs, great people and of course one of my heroes, Nigel Lewis-Baker MBE who is the chairman and heart of this wonderful charity.
Nigel co-founded ToC, to raise money for research into immunotherapy and to support those with cancer.
Nigel was diagnosed with incurable advanced prostate cancer in 2004 and he’s still here 12 years on helping change the lives of others. Incredible!
Immunotherapy has been described as a ‘game changer’ in the fight against cancer and I firmly believe that it is the future of cancer treatment.
For more info visit – http://www.topicofcancer.org.uk/
A wonderful night for a wonderful cause. A huge well done to my fellow trustees for such an amazing night.
Hope to see you all there next year.
X
PODCAST INTERVIEW
Podcast Interview
I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by a wonderful guy in the states called Lee Silverstein who is a fellow Wilms and bowel cancer survivor. Lee is the first person i’ve ever spoken to who has been through the same experiences with cancer as I have.
Lee now interviews people from all over the world who have experienced bowel cancer, as a way of helping and inspiring others through this all too common and awful disease.
His podcast, the Colon Cancer Podcast has helped thousands of people so far so please check it out when you get a chance. It’s a lot more fun than the name suggests!:) It can be found on iTunes and android.
I hope you enjoy this interview and it helps you in some small way. It pretty much covers everything i’ve learned throughout my experiences with illness and 101 Things To Do When You Survive.
Interview starts 10 minutes and 15 seconds in.
X
AND THE NAME OF MY BIKE IS……
Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who sent in suggestions for the name of my new bike. I absolutely loved hearing the reasons for the names you put forward.
At the weekend I took my lovely new bike out for a spin in the beautiful Richmond Park (one of my favourite places) and I thought about what to call it throughout the entire ride. The name ‘Flash’ was immediately eliminated after a little girl overtook me on a trike! Chris Froome I was not!
It had been a couple of years since I’d been on a bike but I absolutely loved it. The sun was shining, the deer were out in force and I didn’t get a puncture! Result!
On Tuesday I plucked up the courage to cycle on the busy roads of Hampton to Bushy Park the so i’m slowly getting over my fear of cars…kind of… I’ll have to keep working on that one.
So without further a do…..
There was one name in particular that popped up a few times in your suggestions that made total sense. ‘Angel’, the name of the event (Angelride) that inspired me to buy this bike and also one of the greatest experiences of my life.
A lovely woman called Sandra Holland then came up with the name ‘Gabriel’ and I thought YES! The archangel Gabriel and also the name of one my favourite songs ‘Gabriel’ by Lamb. If you haven’t heard that song then please do check it out. One of the most beautiful songs you’ll ever hear with lyrics that will make your heart melt.
So gang there we have it. The bike that I will use to cycle both the length of Britain and across the USA is called ‘Gabriel’ or ‘Gabe’ for short.
Thank you so much for the inspiration. Fingers crossed Gabe will also miraculously sprout a couple of wings to help me up those hills. Judging by this weeks performance, I think I’m going to need it!
X
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR THOSE WITH PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS
If you have any type of pre-existing medical condition including cancer and need travel insurance then these guys are the people to see.
Because of insurancewith I was able to travel the world at an affordable price with all my ‘conditions’ covered!
Check them out and if you can, please share and take a moment to vote for them for the British Travel Awards. CLICK TO VOTE
They deserve all the publicity and recognition they can get for enabling those with disabilities to travel at an affordable rate.
Visit their website here – insurancewith
X
NEW BIKE, NEW CHALLENGE
Ladies and gents, please meet the newest member of the 101 gang…..my brand spanking new bike!
I need some ideas of what to call it so please let me know of any suggestions you have? A good bike should have a name!
Those of you who have followed my adventure for the past few years will know that in 2014 I took part in a charity bike ride in the states called AngelRide. It was the first and, up to now, the only time I had ever been on a road bike.
I fell in love with cycling and Angelride turned out to be the most incredible experience of my life.
I have sworn ever since that I would get my own bike and also added a couple of cycling challenges to my list, one being to cycle from John O’Groats to Lands End, which I hope to complete next year. The other is to cycle across the USA….date still to be announced for that puppy!
I had hoped to complete John O’Groats to Lands End (the length of Britain) this year but my fitness and motivation took a bit of a knock this so I decided against it until I had adequate time to train for it. Especially when Andy, the team leader for Team 101 in the USA presents me with a map of what he thinks we should do! Yikes! We may have to modify those timings a wee bit Andy……or a lot!;). My haematology doctor may have a fit if she saw that!
Anyone who watched my interview on the BBC this week will know there are a couple of little physical issues caused by my life saving treatment as a child that make my idea of normal slightly different to that of others.
The main ones are the blood clot I have in the vein that takes blood back to my heart and the others are scarred lungs from radiotherapy and a bit of an aged heart caused by the chemo.
The good news is…. I visited Bristol Royal Infirmary last week and had myself a little MOT to see how the old lung and heart are doing.
An Echocardiogram and a lung function test showed that they are a wee bit under the normal scale but that there was nothing to worry about. It also seems that these little issues can be massively be improved upon with regular exercise! I also met my vascular surgeon on Tuesday who pretty much said go for it and then suggested doing a triathlon! 🙂 Love it!
So gang, I am going to be on an adventure of fitness and cycling for the next 9 months which I plan on sharing with you as a bit of a rehabilitation research. This will also include info on nutrition, rest and coping with fatigue…something I struggle with after exercise.
Due to my messed up circulation system I struggle to run as blood can’t get back to my heart quick enough so my leg swells up and I get dizzy, but cycling is low impact which means it’s perfect for someone with a deep blood clot like mine. I wont lie -i’m super scared of riding on roads but hopefully I’ll get over this with a bit of practice.
So hear goes, I’ll be taking her out and about for the first time this weekend so i’ll let you know how I get on.
A huge thank you to Sales Filter, insurancewith and Snow and Rock for becoming sponsors of Team 101. I can’t thank you guys enough.
The plan is to achieve something incredible, raise a lot of awareness for all things cancer and mental health related, inspire lots of people and hopefully raise a bit of cash for charity.
Let the riding and fitness extravaganza begin!
X
LONG TERM EFFECTS OF CANCER TREATMENTS – RADIO 4 TODAY INTERVIEW
The effects of my life saving treatment in 1987 have unfortunately led to a few heath issues in later life. On Monday 1st August I chatted to the BBC World Service and 6 o’clock news about these issues. Please see my interview with the Radio 4 Today show to hear more:-
A recent Macmillan report highlights the need for greater support for those surviving cancer:-
BBC News – Macmillan Report – Long term effects of cancer treatments
LUNCH WITH CHILDHOOD CANCER FIGHTERS
When I was a child, the cancer treatments I had were harsh. They saved my life, and I am truly grateful for that. But they’ve caused me a lot of medical issues since – deep vein thrombosis, bowel cancer, a weakened heart , scoliosis….
I’m still here living life to the full though!
Thankfully treatments for childhood cancer have come a long way since then, and they are getting better all the time. That’s why I was so honoured to be invited to speak at a luncheon for The Petal Childhood Cancer Research Group in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.
This amazing group of women have raised more than £1.2 million pounds for research into childhood cancer – which has helped Cancer Research UK launch several life changing clinical trials.
Founder Karen Weaving, and her husband Malcolm, own a beautiful hotel in Skipton, so I had the chance to stay and see some of the area’s incredible sites. Yorkshire Dales is definitely one for your lists gang! And while you’re there don’t forget to pop into the Rendezvous Hotel room and say hi. You’ll meet, without a doubt, two of the loveliest people on the planet.
Thankyou to all the ladies at Petal for their warm welcome and I’m sure I speak for every family who has been affected by childhood cancer when I say thankyou for all the work you do. We need more effective and kinder treatments for children with cancer and you are making it happen.
X
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF FIRE
A fire pit, a cuppa and my best friend in the whole the world, my big brother.
DID YOU KNOW?
Research has shown that open fires can be extremely beneficial for your mental well being.
The sound, smell, appearance of a fire can induce feelings of relaxation and help lower blood pressure.
Back in the day, a fire was a way of keeping warm, cooking food and a meeting point for chatting with friends so it’s no wonder it gives us humans that feel good feeling.
So get those camp fires started gang, turn off the sound of the world and get lost in the wonderment of a good old camp fire. Relaxation guaranteed!
X
TEAM 101 AND RELAY FOR LIFE ASCOT
I think it’s fair to say that Team 101 took Ascot by storm this weekend and what an amazing weekend it was.
I first fell in love with Relay for Life when I was in Sydney in 2014 and then again at the Shetland Relay in May this year. Being part of my own team at Ascot however, has without doubt totally captured my heart.
There were a few sceptics in my team who were pretty unsure what kind of time they were going to have this weekend (24 hours of walking round a track does sound like a complete nightmare after all) but I’m pretty sure we all left on Sunday fully in love with relay and everything it stands for.
During the 24 hours, we got our groove on to Zumba, yoga, live bands, singers, performers, pipe bands, midnight quizzes, emotional speeches and best of all hanging out with good and inspiring people.
Team 101 were also joined by Team Trout (my family) for a short time which made the day even more special. Especially as I got the chance to meet my baby cousins for the first time.
I was first introduced to the Ascot Relay by an incredible 101er called Ali who invited me to join her team last year. After receiving so many inspiring messages from her as she lived with terminal lung cancer there was no way I could refuse.
My mum and I went along and got to spend the day with Ali and her family.
Sadly Ali was too unwell to be there this year but Team 101 were privileged to have their pitch right next to Ali’s family, who were ordered by Ali to come to Relay and keep up the family tradition of raising money for CRUK in the event they’ve taken part in since Ali’s diagnosis 6 years ago. They are truly an amazing and brave family and it was so lovely to see them all again.
Myself, Libby, Jo, Julie, Neil, Natasha, Theo, Jaime and Nicola all took it turns to walk round the track for the entire 24 hours whilst also having the most wonderful time chatting and having a laugh.
A huge thankyou has to go to Jo and Libby who led the way in organising our teams theme with the ‘Where’s Greig’ challenge, fruit and veg hats and outfits for Miss Relay (for which I came last:).
I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to share this experience with. I think it takes such courage for people to take a chance and come to something like this when they don’t know anyone.
I also had the immense honour of giving a speech at the incredibly moving Candle of Hope ceremony which for me is the highlight of Relay. You cannot help but be moved by this beautiful and poignant ceremony.
Seeing the messages on the candle bags spread around the track is incredible and humbling. Ali, Row and Claire were all in our thoughts.
Thankyou so much to everyone who has sponsored us so far. CRUK fund over half of the research into cancer in the UK so your money has gone to a wonderful place. You can still sponsor us using the below link if you fancy!!:) If you could see how tired we were on Sunday afternoon when the 24 hours was up then you’d know that we’d earned your sponsorship. 🙂
http://relay.cancerresearchuk.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/General?team_id=9035&pg=team&fr_id=1563
Huge congratulations to the Ascot Relay committee for putting on such an amazing event and for recently winning the Queens award for voluntary service. Relay is totally volunteer led so everyone involved makes it happen in their own time. Ascot are on course to raise well over £100,000 this year.
The biggest thank you goes to my amazing team for their support and their wonderful company. It was such a pleasure spending time with you all. I loved every second.
INSPIRING YOUR ADVENTURE EVENING AT SNOW AND ROCK
A wonderful evening at Snow and Rock’s ‘Inspiring Your Adventure’ evening in Covent Garden on Thursday. Huge thanks to Snow & Rock for giving me such an amazing forum to share so many of my adventures.
If there is anything I wanted people to take away from the evening it was this: Don’t wait for a reason to do the things you love.
We shouldn’t have to go through a bad time before deciding to live the life we want to.
X
Catch the interview here – Greig Trout Snow and Rock interview – Planning your Adventure