Results of MOT

Hello peoples in my internet! 

So yesterday i was in hospital for my MOT, basically a series of tests inside my heart through a small surgery. You're awake for the whole thing, which is a bit odd, but after undergoing this surgery over 30 times i've gotten pretty used to it! 

The surgeon was pretty happy with how everything looked, but i would get the full results in clinic today. 

After the surgery you have to lie flat for 2 hours, be sat up for an hour and then they stand you up, make you walk a little then sit you down for another hour. This is to make sure the wound doesn't burst, they use the femoral artery in the groin to directly access the heart, if it bleeds you have about 5minutes to get help or it's goodnight! 

So i saw my transplant consultant this morning, he checked my x-rays against 5 years ago, and 10 years ago, then moved onto the video imagery from the surgery. 

Blood pumping through my heart

He compared the various video angles to the videos from the last 10 surgeries and was happy to announce that the heart looked strong and there were no signs of wear & tear or angina etc. 

Despite all the physical activity i do, waiting for these results scares the shit out of me every year. Talking with the Dr though he said i have to start thinking that things won't go wrong, instead of waiting for them to go wrong. The advances in medicines and the ever growing understanding of transplanted organs is shifting from an estimated life span, to a view of them lasting a lifetime. 

Having been told to expect five years, i've always considered the following 16 years as living on borrowed time, now its time to shift into just living like a normal person!

Thankyou all for the support & well wishes, it means alot! 

Return of the Blog!

So, didn't realise i last blogged in March!! It's October now, and i can't sleep! 

I had a great few months of running from March through July, several 16 milers with Agent A, and lots of Latrigg & Skiddaw ascents with the guys from work. Also had a cracking afternoon playing on the Langdale Pikes with John Millen, falling in bogs and losing the path! I upped my cycling too which despite my intense enjoyment led to tightnening of a few bits and pieces resulting in a sore knee, so i took around 6 weeks off to get it treated, Marcus Scotney doing a fantastic job!

First 'proper' run back was after work on the usual 6 miler up and round Latrigg, joined by WHW CR holder Paul Giblin. I'd met Paul a few times but had never ran with him. He floated around the 6 miles without making a sound, or getting out of breath, whilst i thumped my way round like an asthmatic elephant!

A week later Mark Lyons met me from work and we headed to Buttermere, up Scarth Gap Pass and hit Seat, High Crag, High Style & Red Pike, finishing off with a dip in Buttermere! 

After that a chance to meet ultra legend Scott Jurek popped up, so Agent A & I scooted off to Ambleside to meet him. Taller than expected he was an imposing figure, but full of praise for fell runners, admitting the manicured trails of the USA were a far cry from beasting straight up sheep trods & scree! 

John Millen was in town again a couple weeks ago and he drove me to a 2013 Latrigg ascent PB, followed by Brundholme Woods finest singletrack trails!

Sunday gone i knocked a huge 6minutes off my Skiddaw ascent PB in pretty awful conditions! 

Today i knocked 2 minutes 18 seconds of my 5k PB too as i begin speed working to hopefully qualify to represent GB at the Transplant Games in 2015 in Argentina, i have until August 2014 to get as near 20min 5k as possible, so lots to do!

Health wise i have my annual MOT on the heart next week, which is surgery and a bunch of tests, and as most of you are now aware i have been diagnosed with Cancer. Thankfully, the c-word is scarier than the prognosis. Its a very small lump, and the type of cancer is non agressive and in 98% of cases slicing the bastard out is a cure. After 2 days of initial shock & upset i'm in a much better frame of mind, and just waiting for a date for them to rid me of it!

All said & done i'm doing pretty good! I reckon Skiddaw & 5k pb's this week are a good indication that next weeks results will be positive, and you all can look forward to a more regular & positive blog!