Feel like joining in but I can't find the route...

EDIT: Gutted, I can't make it. At work 🙁

Hi folks, Mrs Petesgaff here. Mark's been wi-fi-less in hostels the last couple of nights but asked me to put a post up to say it's all going well. I think they're pretty excited that the end is almost in sight, although I spoke to him this morning and he said that he thought today was going to be quite a long day. Not sure of exact details, but think they are taking a National Cycle network route, over old Severn bridge, through Bristol, to Street.

Then tomorrow it's Street to Okehampton, Sunday Okehampton to Perranporth, and then Monday across that finish line (ok well maybe not across it as that would mean falling into the sea). Hoping they'll be there around lunchtime, as I managed to get the day off work to wave them through, but then have to drive back to Kent ready for work on Tuesday...

Very very proud of Team Bullheart, and thanks as ever for all your support (special mention to Dawn, Trudi and Julian xxxxx)

Meg

That's my wife that is. She's ace.

Aren't there any pics?

Sadly I've been unable to make it down to join along the route.

Not been able to follow you as much as i'd have liked Mark but skimming over the updates things look on the up. I'm planning on sitting down tonight with a brew to read through properly though mate. (typing this off the old dog n bone while settling the little one to sleep). Big up to you all and hope the sun's shining for you from here on in, particularly on Monday, RESPECT!!

Go Team Bullheart - i'm in awe - truly x

We want photos posted up here of the celebration arrival.

Anyone riding with them today or tomorrow who can get some pics posted up here?

Top Man

Wow, what a man! Well done, fella.

Here is a picture of Mark 'Bullheart' Fradgley with his support van on Saturday somewhere North of Okehampton

[img] [/img]

No doubt someone will post the finishing line pictures tomorrow 😆

This might be a daft question, but the bikes that have been used on this trip, are they going to be auctioned or raffled or something like that at the end? I seem to remember a bike shop donating / lending them so perhaps they have to go back, but otherwise it might be worth doing.

Any idea of an ETA? I'll try and pop down to the finish line if I get a chance....

as far as i know the bikes are all going to be kept by the particpants...(i spoke to marks sister last night) but that may be a good idea to raise some more money!

if not ill get them back to the shop and sell them and donate some of the cash to the cause.. 😆

Raffle them or auction them, not sell them if that idea works - I have no room for another bike but I'll happily bid or buy a raffle ticket on the understanding that I lose.

If i'd ridden the length of the land on a bike I's want to keep it! Let them decide.

Epic stuff. Must be a shoe-in for the STW Awards personality/personalities of the year.

Absolutely Harry - 'tis an idea, not a demand. And agreed, the STW personality of the year category can probably close for nominations now.

Hello,

I'm sorry to all of you that have tried unsuccessfully to keep up with the Bullheart JOGLE. The blog was truly difficult to implement; too many of the YHA's we stayed in had no broadband, and the administrator rights to my work laptop prevented me from utilising a mobile broadband stick. Plus, to be honest, after a days riding, and having to sort out routes/food/etc for the next day became a massive chore.

That's my apology. I'm sticking with it.

Where to begin? I think my statement about Stainburn being the most difficult part of the ride still stands. Along the way, everyone that passed us told us how Cornwall would be the test. It wasn't - not by any stretch of the imagination. At one point, we nailed a triathlete going up a hill just past Okehampton, in a humorous-yet-painful Ealing comedy style moment; he seemed fairly put out as J smiled at him and practically wheelied up a 1:4 hill!

Best roads? Lancaster to Chester, without a doubt. Quick tarmac, and an executive decision to change our route slightly lifted both morale and our average speed by a considerable margin. The A6 was a dream that seemed to have been newly laid with the finest tarmac just for our ride.

Worst roads? A fair amount of the roads in this country are shit. I want to know where the hell my taxes go, because they sure don't use them to fix the pot-holes. With regards to risk, there are roads in the UK I simply wouldn't ride again. Parts of Shropshire, The West Country, etc are just awful. There were many near misses, with buses, speedboats (I kid you not) and ignorant taxi drivers. If I ever come across the imbecilic grandparent that nearly clipped me and the others near Glastonbury JUST because he wanted to get his sodding grandchildren to the beach I'll kick his arse all over the South West, I swear.

Scariest moment? There is a hill near Wells in Somerset. Following a friend down this hill, I hit a pot-hole at approximately 42-45mph. I know this because I managed to look at the Cateye before the bike started to oscillate wildly. I have never, ever crapped myself like I did at that point. J was following, and said that all he could see was me looking to the left for somewhere to crash. I let go of the brakes, and thankfully the bike rode through the wobble, but not being a convert of the 'dark-side' it was the first time I'd been in the situation. I'm hoping that it will remain the last..

Proudest moment? I'm proud of my team. For some unfathomable reason, the people that came to represent Team Bullheart worked cohesively to accomplish a task that genuinely eludes a lot of groups and individuals, despite my illness and other constraints. The others will tell you, and I freely admit, there were times when I threw my bike, my helmet and my iPod, had shitty tantrums and forced people to cycle when they simply didn't want to. I am a total prick sometimes, but they man-managed me brilliantly. There aren't many folk that could do that normally, never mind under the pressures of the JOGLE. Any old arsehole can cycle the length of the country; it's not physically difficult, honestly - but unless you are mentally tough, and surround yourself with folk that believe in you, then you'll suffer.

I'm going to update this in the next couple of days, adding the word.docs that I saved my posts as. I'm writing this from Meg's Dads house because SKY have deemed it un-necessary to reconnect my f*cking broadband yet, and apparently nine days is a reasonable amount of time to do sweet FA about it. As soon as its back up I'll post.

Thanks guys,

Bullheart

You are a nutter , but we all love you anyway.

Pics would be good too!

Mark, bloody brilliant effort in completing the JOGLE and looking forward to the full story and pics

Well done on completing.

I am new here - but read through your story and what an insperation - you are some guy! well done

So how is Mr Gaff these days?

Probably suffering from a brutally sore arse!

Any update from the HERO would be good

Hello all,

Its been a while since I posted on here about my situation. I've had a few emails from the good folk on here to see how I've been, and obviously the Team Bullheart posts have let everyone know that I'm still alive, but recently there have been a series of developments that have altered the [i]designated pathway[/i] somewhat, so I thought it'd be the right thing to let you guys know what's happening...

Firstly, thank you for all the support you have given us over the last two years. It would be fair to say that, without said support, there is a chance I wouldn't have come this far. This really is true, but more for the metal battle, rather than the physical. I'm a fairly tough individual, but there have been plenty of occasions and situations in the past 18 months which might have presented themselves as 'insumountable' but for a kindly email or phone-call at an opportune time. It's all very well telling people that you can "deal with it, no problem", but another to actually live it.

There have been some staggeringly difficult moments, and the dark face of defeat has appeared on the horizon when I'm at my lowest, but I have never stopped believing that I will win. Participation in races such as the JOGLE, MM, 24/12 and SSUK (in September) are as much about inspiring those in a similar situation to keep fighting as much as for personal motivation. Before I met my wife, I wasn't particularly proud of myself as a person. I'd spent nearly thirty years as a self-serving, difficult and overly proud person, and truth be told I didn't really like myself. Her influence and love has made me realise that the qualities I regarded as 'strong' were in fact weaknesses, and I'm not sure I'd have fought this disease in the manner I have done without her and other folk.

So an update, and a fairly important one. Every three months I have a range of scans to monitor the progression of the metastasies in my pelvis, spine and sternum, and the remnants of the tumour in my heart. These scans are time-consuming, costly and fairly invasive, but have been established at my insistence and not the team at the RM. I have also continued my treatment of Pamidronate (bone-strengthener) throughout. I have previously mentioned my dissatisfaction at the team at the RM, who are without argument one of the top Sarcoma teams in the world, but who's responses are reactive, rather than proactive. In fact, the one member of staff that I fully trusted was an Australian Oncologist, who unfortunately had decided to return to Australia for family reasons.

This left me in a bit of a pickle. I asked her for advice on who to approach for a second opinion regarding my condition, and with good reason; the longest living patient with my prognosis prior to me lasted for 24 months, and all are severely unwell for the duration of that time. I have been cycling regularly, and am more than competitive with my peers in all manner of activities. Granted, I get a bit of pain every now and then, but generally the man in the street would have no idea as to the issues I face.

She recommended a team at UCLH in London that specialise in Sarcoma, and agreed with me that my response to the disease is pretty much exceptional. My scans show no change in the bone mets, and there is no trace of the 10% of tumour left in my heart in 2009. She also booked me in for a bone scan at the RM in Sutton, a procedure of which I had never had, because I had expressed my dissatisfaction in not having my whole body checked for mets elsewhere.

The date for the scan came, and I popped down to the RM for the procedure. Those of you that have had family or friends suffer from cancer will know that there is an altogether different feel of a cancer hospital; although the folk are unwell, there is a real 'warmth' to the place. It helps to put me at ease straight from the off. I had the scan, and as I came off of the machine I could see the technician looking at my notes with a puzzled expression. I have an enquiring mind, so I asked him what the issue was;

[b]Me: What's the matter?[/b]

[i]Tech: Er, nothing..[/i]

[b]Me: Bollocks. What's the matter?[/b]

[i]Tech: I've been doing this for eight years. I set folk up on the scanner, and look through their case notes whilst the procedure takes place. Your case file and your scan do not fit together.[/i]

[b]Me: In what way?[/b]

[i]Tech: Your case notes say that you have mets in three areas. The scan says you haven't.[/i]

[b]Me: What could it be? A fault with the scanner? [/b]

[i]Tech: Nope. Not in all the time I've been here. I wouldn't have mentioned it; in fact, I could get in the shit for it. Don't tell anyone about this, just wait for the Lead to get back to your oncology team about it. [/i]

So I felt a bit odd. I called to top guy at the Marsden the next day, and discussed it with him. Far from being annoyed at the technician, he started to read through my file whilst I was no the end of the line. It was during this time, and the continual exclamations of [i]"Oh, you've had that procedure, I didn't know that", "well I never...",[/i] and [i]"...that is unusual; I wonder why that wasn't spotted before now"[/i] that I felt my desire for a second opinion was probably justified. Towards the end of our conversation, he gave me the names of a histopathologist and a sarcoma surgeon, but asked me to let him establish the lines of communication first as he didn't want to increase their respective workloads without good reason.

So after speaking to both of them just over an hour later, and finding out how interested they were in my 'highly unusual case', it came to pass that they were both part of the 'second opinion' team my (good) oncologist had set up. And so an appointment was made, and last Friday I went to UCLH in London to speak to a different team. the lead oncologist told me that the team had reviewed my numerous files the previous day, and that all present were fascinated by my status. That had agreed that the scans were indicating that although there had been initial met activity in the skeletal system and right atrium, this had gone. To all intent and purposes the sites had 'burnt out', probably through the chemo, the pamidronate, my activity levels, my unique physiology and my attitude.

This is the first time this has happened to a patient with as serious a prognosis as mine. Ever. There are no other recoded cases of this happening anywhere in the world. She asked me what I thought of the situation, because she was puzzled by my response. I told her that I was delighted, but that the delight must be tempered by the fact that I had to stay prepared for when it comes back; I have to be ready.

And she said to me;

[i]"This hasn't happened before. I've seen a great many things as a doctor that science simply cannot explain. You may well be one of those things. Stay prepared, but go and live your life - you've worked hard for it" [/i]

Thank you all for helping me live my life. I won't give up. Ever.

Bullheart

Bullheart: Weeing in cancer's shoes since 2009.

Dude, you're ace.

Wow, Fantastic 😀

Wow.

this pleases me mum's in a lead-lined room as i type being all radioactive so as well as wanting to express my joy at your news, i want to say thanks for sharing the positive story and attitude

Best news I've heard in months.

Does this mean we can have some different shirts for MM next year with a different logo (and rather less pink)?

its really dusty in my office today

What can I say? That is truly, truly amazing!!!

Very dusty here at home too.

YOU ROCK.

WIN

That's just fabulous news.

I've gone all goosebumpy just reading it - I can't imagine how positive and relieved you must feel about your situation now.

This really ought to be a permanent sticky thread - your story has brought out everything that's positive and good on stw.

Filling up at my desk over a bloke that I have never met. 😀

[speechlessatyourawesomeness]............[/speechlessatyourawesomeness]

Fantastic news, does that mean that you are now going to be used as a guinea pig for cancer research? 🙂

tears in my eyes, top work, show the toss pot whos in charge,

you give us all hope buddy, thanks for that,

😀

So who is going to play you in the film?

Your a machine!!!! 8) 😀
Top man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

one word. Amazing.

Congratulations Mate! Superb utter superb, been a outside reader since the first post and always have to pick my jaw up from the keyboard after reading.

Enjoy!

Filling up whilst sat at my desk is not a great look, but worth it in this case.

😀

Grit everywhere, some just got in my eye. ****ing brilliant.

[img] [/img]

WOW!

In the truest sense... You are Awesome!!!

its really dusty in my office today

+1
Truly amazing story. well done!

outstanding story, Amazing

damn dusty up here in Aberdeen too

Watery eyes in a good way. Well done. You are a very deserving one in ,a few million

Jesus titty effing christ man! what a story, hope you get a book deal or something as I would certainly buy it.

well done. All the best

That's properly amazing. I can't imagine how you and mrs Bullheart must be feeling right now. I too am now a little misty eyed for someone I have never met. Just wow, and warmest wishes Mark. 😀

Cripes, what a man.

Watering eyes? A bit of dust flew up from my keyboard ok?!

All you need now is....
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
GEARS!!! 😀

Bit dusty in Sotty too.. erm..

Great story, no idea who on earth you are Sir, but reading that makes me think you, and hopefully others, can benefit from your will and determination.
Spread the Word and the Love.

amazing, brilliant, fabulous.

What a fantastic update.

like many of you, friends and family have been visited, some terminally, by cancer, but this just says one thing to me.

Hope.

All the best to you and yours!

Kev

All you need now is....
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
GEARS!!!

Actually, that bit's true. And a reasonable colour frame as well.

Fantastic news! I'm really glad for both of you.

Filling up at my desk over a bloke that I have never met.

and another - despite the fact I deal with people with cancer all the time...

Go for it

Harry_the_Spider - Member
Filling up at my desk over a bloke that I have never met.

ChrisHeath - Member
Filling up whilst sat at my desk is not a great look, but worth it in this case.

iDave - Member
Grit everywhere, some just got in my eye. **** brilliant.

+1

Well Done!! Excellent! I've followed this thread in fits & starts, taken a passing interest at the LEJOGLE threads and recognised the Bullheart jersey's at the 24/12.

I just read your recent news with curiosity. Have you been asked to do a channel 4 documentary on your condition.....? Have you found a new treatment of bathing in kryptonite.....?
Nope. Better than that!!
Anyway - truly don't know what to say! You are an inspiration!!

Go forth & do more of the same!!! 😀

Excellent news. 😀

Who is chopping the onions?
Congratulations, that's happied my year.

That's just brilliant news. Actually, brilliant simply doesn't even start to describe it.

That's fantastic news, I'm really glad for you.

hey bullheart ive only just realised you were being treated there but i work next door to the rmh in chelsea,
so if your ever in the area and fancy a chat let me kno

kimbers

email in profile

Wonderful, wonderful news, that's truly fantastic!

Tears in our eyes - MrsMM and I have had the pleasure of meeting Mark and Megan.
Indeed, we're currently on hols, in the house we stayed in the night before we met them...
More randomly, Mark, today we're off out towards StAudries - we'll pop in the local and raise a glass in your general direction!
Hats off to both of you, and those who have supported you.
Love Chris, Sharon and Ted

Well done Mark, well done. Proper heart warming and inspirational story.

Good stuff!

Yeah yeah whatever.... 🙄

I can't be arsed reading all that, but does this mean you'll actually be available for a pint some time soon? And won't be using the old excuse of 'oh, sorry I can't make it, got to go for some treatment'. Useless. Just cos you can't hold yer drink.

Bloody attention whore....

X

Full dose of shivers reading that update, dude, you kicked deaths ass!

So who is going to play you in the film?

+1

If anyone deserves that news, its definately you!

I look forward to the book/documentary/film. 😉

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

Another silent follower of your ups and downs, really happy for your news.

Now where's that cleaner, she's clearly not doing her job properly with all this dust around here...

Have you been in contact with [url= http://www.fatcyclist.com/about-fatty/ ]Fat Cyclist[/url] at all? On the off-chance you're not aware of him, he often posts up similarly moving blogs about his experiences with cancer.

Good work Bullheart does this mean you will be riding night laps at MM next year?

Incredible news. 😀

Bloody hell, thats incredible.

Great news.

the legend of a man not even cancer could put down i just read the posts and my eye's are all blury fingers crossed it never comes back and maybe your blood test and scans might help others fight it in future 😀

I can see a need for new treatment guidelines....

MTFU
STW
LEJOG
Mountain Mayhem

Yes!!!!! 😀

Wonderful news "Don't Stop Believe'n"

Way to go Bullheart, great news.

Amazing news! It's not often that you read about something this uplifting, and that has really made my day. Unfortunately you've just proved that exercise is a great healer. I might have to get back to running now...

By the way, does this mean that we can nominate you for the Olympic torch relay thing now?