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Heart goes out you you both , hope all goes great for you...
Keep your chin up !
Mark, I can recommend following the regime for cold avoidance for Meg in Singletrack written by Matt Hart and recently repeated on the front page. The Sandwich family use this at the first sight/sound of sniffles and so far we have been cold free.
Keep calm and carry on 🙂
Keep it up, stay positive and don't over do it! Staying fit for the fight is not about training and working out right now. Rest, food, and a happy positive attitude.
keep it up!
Neil
Oooh now, ideas for R & R.
Get some friends to drop off some good films, if they're on dvd. it doesn't matter if you fall asleep during, just resume watching when it suits you.
When you feel up to it practise your groom's speech.
Go through some old photo albums, always a laugh for the fashion content alone.
Get some recipe books out and start thinking about cooking something for Meg (in the future - not now).
Read books, that you may not have time for in the future.
Follow the crazy people of STW ,always good for an hour in the day.
Get maps out and plan trips for the future.
Bunnyhop x
Anasthetic does strange things to you... I remember once having some pain meds when I broke my arm and being convinced the chap putting it back together was French. After a fruitless five minutes of asking him what he was doing, in French, he told me he was Irish.
As for R&R, I'd say treat yourself to an X-Box or a PS3 and get busy with the FPS games on-line. It'll keep your reactions and hand/eye coordination skills up to date and will be easier to deal with than Jeremy Kyle. Failing that, hit the box sets of 24, Heroes, Blakes 7, Dr. Who, you get the idea.
Just stay off the crisps and dip...
Just catching up with the thread, reading everyone elses posts, best wishes, advice and suchlike, (and I think there was some dust floating about...) when I came to Mark's last post. I was reading it carefully, then he sticks this bit in, all innocent like...
[i]"Apparently, whilst under the final throws of anasthesia before the op, I informed her staff (whilst lying prone with my nutsack on display) that they needed to tell her that "I had a bag of balls for her..."
I now have an unusually wonky scar near my nethers. I hope she didn't take offence.
"[/i]
I'm hoping that was meant to be funny because I pi$$ed myself laughing, sheer comedy genius, that. Love it! 
Glad to see you're up and about, but yeah, FFS MTF DOWN for a bit eh? 😉
(Yeah. Right. Like you'll take my advice.... :D)
Damn dust has made it to Switzerland too !!! “ clearing my eyes “
I had to LMAO about the bag of balls, and as far as your chest being broken sir…
I did a ride about 10 years ago… 6 days along the north rim of the Grand Canyon, with some fantastic downhills (and a few warning signs “stop HERE” and they really meant it. ) and some crunchin 'climbs but you know who the toughest rider of our group was…a woman with a scar straight down the middle of her chest to gawd knows where… she had open heart surgery about 5 years previous to this but none of us hard guys could keep up with her and no one gave a two shakes about the scar.
Best of luck to you and Meg , thanks for the posting here and keep up the fight man.
My best,
Greg
Maybe it's the dust from the recent moon impact experiments? It's over here in Derby too.
All the best M&M.
The G Family.
Just got the call.
Angiosarcoma.
Don't bother googling the stats; it's not worth it. And none of those that died were me, so I'm going to try and swing the odds a bit in favour of those that survive. I'm afraid I'm going to need your support for a little while longer guys.
Thanks,
Mark and Meg x
Once you've put a name to it targeting the response/ attack becomes easier. We're all here to support in whatever way. Do not be afraid to ask if there is something I/we can do that will help.
Have been following this for a while Mark, but have not been able to find any words that could really help.
stay strong, my thoughts are with you and Meg.
Enjoy your Wedding next week.
I now have an unusually wonky scar near my nethers. I hope she didn't take offence
I thought you had open heart surgery, Are you sure your hearts in the right place! 😕 😉 😀
Best wishes!
I'm afraid I'm going to need your support for a little while longer guys.
For as long as you need it Mark.
Remember the stats take in all the worst cases as well as the best - there is no reason whatsoever why you can't be one of those 'best' ones!!
OK - so of course I went off and read about it (haven't we all?!). The one universal theme seems to be that it is very rare even in the world of rare afflictions .... which means that the stats can only refer to a very small number of people ..... which means that you will boost the percentages hugely when you kick the thing right in to touch.
right now your survival rate is 100% Mark. Keep waking up in the morning mate.
may the full mental force of a thousand+ moaning STW forum tossers carry you on your road to FULL recovery and a life full of things more important than bikes (bikes too though)
+1 on the support STW army.
Stay positive. It really does make a very big contribution. Good luck.
I'm going to need your support for a little while longer
Don't worry Mark & Meg, as much support as you need. In for the long haul on this. You will beat the ****er! As [b] crapbutlovingit[/b] says you are the man that will blip in the stats
I read your getting it sorted and thats brilliant, the thread is quite an emotional journey... Be good to put a face to the names and see the progress.... any upbeat pics of you both? 19 pages, must be time for a recovery pic or two.... Good on you Mark and Meg....
"Never ever go on the internet and read up on the illness/stats, they mean absolutely nothing". That’s the advise everyone gave me and should give you. Thing its the first thing you'll do. But all I'll say is their right you shouldn't do it (have done it). The stats really mean nothing. My particular cancer had a very high recovery and very lower recurrence rate, but mine came back 2 years later and the 5 year survial wasn't great. I was only 23 then and I'm 39 now, so **** the stats.
Are you get your sperm frozen? Its well worth doing but a very surreal thing to be doing. If you take Meg with you its a bit of a double edge sword. You want to get it over with quickly cos its in a hospital, but you dont want it look like you get to much practice on your own :oops:, if you know what i mean 😳 ....... very surreal. Didn't need mine in the end but its good to have 1 less thing to worry about for your future and it feels good to be planning something that will be there when its all over (even if its a looooong time after its over).
As I said first time I wrote my (for what its worth) opinion on here, looking back I think in a lot of ways it was harder on those around me than it was on me. I know you cant (and shouldn't) do to much for Meg (and I'm guess she wont let you), but get somebody else to make her their number 1 prority (her family would be a good place to start), from what you write i can tell (i think) you are worrying about her and you could do with not having that as well.
Hope that all made sense (i cant spell for shit). Well take care of yourselves and dont push it too much. You in our thoughts.
Hey Mark, not on your scale but a good mate of mine (hi stuart) had to have a heart transplant after contracting a virus that attacked his heart muscles, as already said any heart surgery is a massive op that takes time to heal..
Years later he is as quick as the rest of us and now competes at the Transplant Games, like Lance, just remember however bleak it gets you can come back stronger
And none of those that died were me
These words, for me sum up your strength, I am deeply humbled every time I read your posts.
That you are up, about and able to go walk anywhere so soon after major surgery puts you in a different category of stats.
This month, the most memorable and life changing thing that is going to happen to both of you, is marrying someone who you both know and love. Have a great day.
For what little it may be worth, you both have my support for as long as you would like it
I cannot for one minute begin to imagine what you must be going through right now. My heart really does go out to you both.
Mark, do not worry about Meg. She loves you and has chosen to be with you. There is no where else she would rather be than being there with you. Us women are made of strong stuff. 8) (I don't mean that in a flippant way...)
Take it easy and give your body time to mend. You've had some really serious poking around done.
Damn and blast...nobody who makes me cry twice in one week gets off lightly!!
8)
Just thought this might help
http://www.davebuchanan.co.uk/
I've known Dave in passing, through occasional rides and chats on mtb-wales, for a few years but never knew his history. Happened to click on a link to his site just a moment ago, thought of you and perhaps his story might help, hope so.
Best wishes,
Neil
I'm with FoxyChick - 2 cries in one week...........no-one gets way with that lightly!!!
Me and MrCM are thinking of you, we really are, and sending healing vibes down country (that is a severe understatement!!!)
Look after yourself, and Meg you look after yourself too. If you need to post on here just to say Hi and possibly escape for even 2 minutes you know there will be someone here to talk crap to. At least it'll stop em asking "which tyres for crossing road outside hospital" 😀
Just another note to say how strong I think you are being. I just found out about this thread, so popped over for a read.
I've been here all bloody night!
The one thing I didn't do, when I was ill, was take advantage of a counsellor (Macmillan, I think). I was too young, dumb, and full of my own self inflated belligerant (sp?) ego to take help from anybody. I've had a chip on my shoulder for 16 years (and counting) about it.
If they offer it, take it. Go to at least the first one...
...If you don't like it, stop. Honest, you won't regret it, like I have.
The best of luck to you both, and your family.
Oh, and if you are thinking that you are broken, just give it a while. You'll get strong, maybe even better than before because you'll have a stronger head than anybody else.
I'm a half decent 24hr soloist now, so there is no limit to what the "broken" person can achieve.
And God, do I remember being tooted at because of an inability to get across the road quickly enough.
Best regards
Dave B
Mark- listen to Dave, the guy is a bit of a hero and he knows his stuff. And kick the bleeding angiosarcoma from here to bleedin eternity...
FWIW- Aroma Icon Gas is an anagram 🙂 Like I said above, kick it in the ass 'cos it stinks...
Mark (and Meg) we not for giving up on this forum. If sunderland can beat Liverpool- anythings posible! After nearly beating MUFC last week,.
Alex Fergisons magic watch- extra time ends when MUFC win
Feel pretty ragged at the moment. After my last post, my chest and back have been hurting constantly, and mobility has gone to the dogs. As mentioned by some of you, I think there are a few reasons for this problems. I would guess that the serious drugs given to me in St Tomas' are finally making their way out of my system, to be replaced by, er, paracetemol. Cheers, NHS! The problem is that, due to the very rarity of the cancer and its location, I think the specialists wanted to sit back and see what would happen.
Due to this my immune system has plummeted massively, and I think I've picked up Megs cold in the process. This now means that, when coughing, my broken chest feels like someone is hitting it with a baseball bat. I know this because once upon a time I was hit in the chest with a baseball bat. I'm very wheezy, and the deep hacking cough isn't doing me any favours. I'm unble to lie down, due to the pressure on my chest mking me cough and stop breathing! Therefore I have to sleep sitting up on the sofa, which is something I struggle with. I've estimated that I've had about 13 hours sleep since Tuesday night, which makes the days hard.
This has been a wobbly week for me emotionally. The dicovery of this cancer as an angiosarcoma; the lack of mobility; being stuck at home; the response of friends and family members to the term 'angiosarcoma'; All have chipped away at my otherwise usual hardarse defence, and briefly I wondered if I could actually do it. Survival rates are terrible, I feel weak as a kitten, and I know that the future is going to be a shitload harder than this, for a long long time.
I think I can though. I think its okay to have fears about all of this. I have an amazing women, who will be the strength when I'm weak. I have a good attitude towards not quitting, and I'd like to be one of those that beats this. So I think I will.
Thanks folks, hope you're all well.
Mark (not Meg, she's upstairs snoring...)
Mark - First thing i do when i get into work is log onto to see how your doing, sounds rough mate but it is there to be beaten and if someone can my money is on you. Take it easy and rest pal.
Be strong and try and rest.
Where abouts are you in the country?
I'm sure if you need anything doing a STWer will be round to helpwhenever you ask.
I think I can though. I think its okay to have fears about all of this. I have an amazing women, who will be the strength when I'm weak. I have a good attitude towards not quitting, and I'd like to be one of those that beats this. So I think I will.
Spot on Mark! Take it easy, sleep will come and so will strength.
Since reading your diagnosis I've come back to this thread several times wanting to comment and offer support . . . I'm rubbish with words so I'll send you both a virtual hug instead XX. Just know that you're not going through this alone . . . you have the support of the whole of STW while you beat this thing into submission!! Take care both.
Mark
Thanks for your latest up date mate.
We are all rooting for you on STW & even Mrs Bacon who doesn't know you always asks if there is any more news about you.
Keep the faith mate & never give up, you are stronger than this interloper, you will succeed & we will ride together when you are better.
All the very best to you & Meg for your up coming Wedding & we can't wait for the pics - only try to get some decent sleep cos we can't have you dozing off during the speeches.
Les & Dawn
Hello mate, You know what I think your dealing with this like a F***ing legend. Like you said you will be one of the ones who beats this. You were always going to feel poorly after such a big op but your still standing and you're Home!!! That says a shed load about you and how well your doing. Its ok to have a bad day too but remember one day this will all be done and dusted and your biggest worry will be what you have at the next pub stop!
Hang in there your a day closer to getting better every morning, and when you do your UK tour of riding spots like I said, I'll sort both you and Meg with beer!
I would guess that the serious drugs given to me in St Tomas' are finally making their way out of my system, to be replaced by, er, paracetemol. Cheers, NHS!
Weird isn't it - I went straight from a nerve block (fantastic) to paracetamol after my operation. Paracetamol must be really good stuff.
The bad days will come and go. And then come again, and then go again. It's entirely normal, try not to beat yourself up about it.
Keep on fighting, we have a cancer survivors ride to sort out when you're fit again.
Bye for now.
Julian
Pete n Meg, still sending you +ve vibes! Your strength in this has been amazing. A real inspiration in a crap situation. All the best.
the dave buchanan thing is interesting but write your own story.
when i started on the journey that is cancer i decided very early on not to read anything off the web or listen to anyone else's story as that was their story not mine. i started off as a 15 stone chunk of hair and gristle and yorkshire and i'm now finished chemo and waiting to see if i need radio therapy. i'm now about 17.5/18 stone and as unfit as i've ever been. my story was different to everyone else who's been through cancer of whatever sort and so will your story be.
part of your story is the stw forum and the support and general banter you experience on here. but it's also a support mechanism for you and probably meg and allows you to download some of the sh*t that will be going round your head.
Live your story for you, experience the ups and downs that only you and meg will truly experience and cope with it in YOUR OWN way.
i took a bit from lance's books and a bit from other people when i met them in chemo but most of my journey was made up as and when i could.
keep talking to meg, as i'm sure you will, but a couple of times my wife found stuff out after i'd blogged it! oops, not what you or her need.
Mark mate you have got to be patient, you have had a fu c king massive invasive procedure. It will take time to heal, try not to think about it all the time. I am in Oxfordshire and if you guys need any help with stuff just drop me a mail.
To make you laugh/hurt a bit did a trial today ands my mates son managed to go over the bars into a river, I swear he vanished, totally underwater never seen that happen before. Oh and I rode like a mong.
Nickhart is right,
Write your own story. I tried to say that when mentioning coping strategies; perhaps a little ineloquently.
We are all different, we all cope and see things in slightly different ways.
Mine, and everyone else's story on here is our own interpretation of how things rolled.
Yours is the most important version of you and your family's time.
Make it count. I don't think any of us have any doubts as to that being a dependable outcome.
Ambrose?
Your havin' a giraffe in't ya?
Mark, hope you've had a better day/night than yesterday and that you've had some much needed rest.
FCx
From reading your posts Mark, you certainly appear to be one of those people who make sure they are in the surviving percentage.
It may not seem like it, but this is just a blip which will leave you with some cool scars to make up stories about.
Could the thwack of the bat on your chest caused this in anyway?
keep positive we are all thinking of you. You will come through the other side and boast to your kids one day how you got that scar.
You're both inspiring people.
I'm sitting at home after an MTB crash with two crushed vertebrae, three broken ribs and a broken hand, and I was feeling a bit sorry for myself.
.. not any more.
Hi Mark, hope you're feeling a bit better today. I thought your last post seemed pretty upbeat considering the surgery. I expect you and Meg are busy now preparing for a wonderful wedding.
Hope you are feeling better today Mark. I've not been on STW for a couple of weeks so have just spent a while catching up on how things have been going. Congratulations on the engagement, that's great news. Stag do next year in Yorkshire? Count me in!
Much love to you both, we are all 100% behind you. You can do this.
Hey Mark & Meg
Hope you are fighting again today. Still keeping you both in my thoughts
DC
Mark,
Hope today is going better than the last one you posted about. Keep strong.
Best.
Another hoping you are feeling a bit better, a bit stronger here.
Neil
Truly humbling this thread. Best wishes you two, always in our thoughts.
Keep up the good work Mark. Thanks for the update. Praying you get some good sleep soon x Thinking of you
Hello everyone, it's Meg here.
Today we had our first visit to the Royal Marsden to meet Mark's oncologist and find out about what treatment he will be receiving. I think Mark has been waiting for today before posting again so he had some news.
The initial conversation with the consultant was good, we like him and he has outlined the treatment programme (two types of chemo drug, starting next Wednesday, followed by radiotherapy). Then Mark explained that he had a chest infection, the GP had given him antibiotics, but he was feeling really ill still and his feet were swelling up. The consultant immediately listened to his chest, sent him for a chest x-ray, and we find out that his right lung is full of fluid - so much for it being a chest infection...
So, as always seems to happen when we go for outpatient appointments, Mark is now up at the Marsden for the night so they can drain the fluid off tomorrow.
Obviously it's all a little stressful, but if it's anything like the pericardial effusion he had in the summer, once drained he will feel immediately better. This means he should be able to enjoy Saturday (the wedding of the year...), and actually if chemo starts next week it'll probably be the only Saturday in the next few months when he feels well.
Anyway, this is just meant to be a little update (sorry it got rather long), and I'm sure that once discharged Mark will want to write more himself.
Once again, thank you for your wonderful comments. Despite hardly being able to breathe, yesterday Mark was going on about suitable cycling venues for someone recovering from cardiac surgery so I imagine it's only a matter of time before he's out there again!
Thanks folks,
Megan
I've been watching this thread. Best wishes to you guys from this end.
Cheers for the update Megan. Have a fantastic day on Saturday!! 😀 - very best wishes to you both.
wish you all the best Megan and Mark
Good to hear from you Meg, the consultant sounds like he's on the ball. From what Mark was saying earlier in the thread, having the treatment mapped out now must be helpful. I bet the wedding's going to be huge fun for you both!
Have been reading this thread for a while. I don't know either of you but you have both been in my thoughts for the previous weeks.
Wishing you good vibes.
Pete
what time are the nuptials? I shall climb off my bike at the appointed hour and just reflect on how lucky i am that it isn't me, and to once again be humbled by the positive way you are both approaching this.
Now get some sleep. You have a busy few days coming up.
Pass on our best wishes from all the Tankslapper clan
Thinking of you both
TS
Enjoy your day together, will be thinking of you both.
Best wishes for Saturday, take a moment to stand still, breathe in and enjoy the moment. You'll have an absolute blast.
Saturday- I'll raise a glass to you both. Be strong, be happy.
there will be glasses raised to you both all over this land on Saturday , all the very best cheers
Fingers crossed for Mark, and best wishes for Saturday Meg & Mark
Best of luck for tomorrow and Mark's treatment, hope he feels better.
I hope you have a fantastic day on Saturday! 😀 I'll be thinking of you too.
Neil
All the very best for saturday, I hope you have a fantastic day to remember.
Have a fab day on Saturday it will be a special occasion.
It's just one more 'interesting' thing you can tell the grandkids. have a great day on Saturday. hope it's a good one.
Very best wishes for the big day on Saturday - have a wonderful day, you'll enjoy every second of it.
(I would raise a wheel to you both on Saturday, but I'd just fall off!).
it must seem like a step forward and a hop back with the lungs but i suspect it is all part of the process. it must be a relief to get things mapped out so you know where you are heading in smaller more managable steps. Have a right old shin dig on Saturday i will raise a glass of something to you both. This post is quite incredible and brings me to tears everytime at how well you are both coping with it. congrats again for Saturday.
Thoughts with you. I mentioned many pages back about my Dad's fight against cancer which he lost last Monday, he know his time was up and his funeral is tomorrow.
Make sure Mark never feels like this and he'll be back riding very soon.
What about a welcome back to riding Mark STW ride sometime soon?
Thanks for taking the time to update us all Meg.
Hope you both have a fantastic day on Saturday.
Whatever you do though, unless you are about 4 stone, don't let him try and carry you over the threshold!! 8)
Oh, and we want pics...
So Mark casually mentions to the doc that he has a bit of a sniffle and it turns out one of his lungs is full of liquid.
I get the feeling if he broke his leg he'd just stick a plaster on it and carry on going. More strength than I can imagine.
Keep on fighting both of you and congratulations for Saturday 🙂
Just wanted to add my best wishes for Saturday, I hope you have a wonderful day. All the best!
Get yer feet up fella - Saturday is fast approaching and there's a first dance to do...
and get the feeling there'll be trouble if you let a 'little cold' stop you making it to the dance floor 😀
All the best to you both for Saturday
C&S
p.s. Royal Marsden did well by our little friend, trust they'll do well by you to!
I'd like to add something profoundly cheering and empathetic on top of what's already been said, but it's already been said better, so yeah, "what they said" to you both...
Just keep on keeping on.
Woppit. 🙂
Hope you both have a fantastic day on Saturday.
Enjoy it, if any one deserves to its you guys 😀
Megan,
Like many on here I have been following your story with a feeling of great admiration and thanks for taking the time to update us on Mark progress. Sounds as if the consultant oncologist is on the ball and Mark should be up and about for your big day.
Best wishes for Saturday and just remember to have fun
Regards
Mark
Thanks for the update Meg, I hope you are coping as well as you sound you are. Pass on my best to Pete and good luck for Saturday.
Post photos!!!!