I think I'm about to be diagnosed with cancer, and I'm fairly scared.

Congratulations and I wish you all the best with your op, from the short fat irishman.

Thinking about you.

Look at the positives, they are operating on you because they feel you can beat this. Which given the way you come across on your previous posts it sounds like you can, given time and the right treatment.

I wish you and Meg all the positive healing vibes in the world and congrats on your engagement.

Hang in there you CAN win this battle.

Well I think youre a right brave bastard for what its worth.

I'm now off to puke with fear…

My eyes are like saucers. Don't look back now dude. And congrats on the engagement.

I've been reading this thread since the initial post but still can't really put into words my thoughts and admiration for the strength and determination you are both showing.

Kick it in the balls really hard and make sure it doesn't get back up again, not quiet the rhetoric I'm looking for but my best wishes and thoughts are with you both.

And congratulations, being engaged/married really does make you a stronger person

Mark,

You've shown tremendous inner strength, not to mention a big pair of balls. Keep it up.

Inner strength is our light through a forest of trees,
Guiding our way, always, with the greatest of ease,
Embracing our purpose, down each earthen trail,
And the single reason, we’ll always prevail.

All the best.

I will be praying for you mate – keep strong.

Every person on here shares one thing, and that is that they all grab life by the balls and meet it head-on, and that's obviously true about you.

Hit it, it it hard. Hard like you really mean it. And when you come out the other side you'll have all these other riders whoopin and a hollerin' like you've just nailed the biggest, sickest, gnarliest, knee-tremblin gap this side of the 'shore. 'Cause that's what it is, it's time to suck it up and believe you can stick it, because you know you can.

Go to it man, and go good, with all of our energy!

Don't normally post on these sort of threads about people I don't know, but feel compelled to say good luck. They're doing something to fix it, presumably because they think that's possible, so stay positive.

Following on from all the other comments, just give it hell! It's an operation to help you, and it's a battle the doctors think you'll win and everyone on STW knows you will, so just concentrate on what's in front, one pedal stroke at a time.

And more importantly congratulations to you and Meg on the engagement. It's fantastic that you have such a strong and wonderful lady to deal with all of this with, and we'll all be there toasting the wedding day when it happens.

Keep strong, keep kicking and keep doing what you need to do.

You do realise that at your wedding you are going to have to invite everyone off Singletrack to your reception? It's going to be huge!!

And you'd better get some good beer in. And plenty of it!

Best of luck for sunday.

Hope it helps to have a sounding board. Don't know you, but rooting for you all the same. Good luck for Sunday eh

All the best for everything that is to come, be strong.

I sat in my garden this evening and thought of you as I looked out across the valley into the Beacons. When you have finished this- which you will- drop me a line and come ride here in South Wales. I'll buy the beer, you deserve it.

Ambrose

You may never have to buy beer again. There are certainly a couple of pints waiting in taps in Edinburgh and some sweet singletrack to be ridden. Good luck.

Congratulations on your engagement, what a cracking missus you must have. Now get in there and kick its tits off!

Congratulations on your engagement.
All the best for Sunday
Your positivity is inspirational.

All the best for Sunday mark (& meg).
I'm doing the great north run for macmillan and you're an inspiration for me to finish it.

Keep smiling bud.

all the best from another stranger. not sure about prayers personally so positive vibes from coventry.

All the best – positive vibes from Cheltenham. Look forward to meeting you out on the trails!

I've been following this thread from day one, and I echo the sentiments of everyone above. You and meg are a real inspiration to me in the way you're dealing with this – I really don't think I would have the same strength.

I'll be thinking of you over the next few days. rip the **** balls off.

jim

Congratulations on your engagement.

In times of stress, in your minds eye get yourself on your favourite trail and ride it like your never ridden it before.

2 singletrackworlders in our household, who really are impressed with your courage and strength.
xx from bunnyhop one for each of you.

Mark and Meg,

Echoing the above really – all the very best for tomorrow (and beyond) & congrats on the engagement – speaking of which – you've got mail 😉

Mr+MrsMM

All the best for the op. Stay on target.

Any news?

My neck hurts…

I had the op yesterday to remove the gland at the front of my windpipe. All very quick and efficient, and my cardio-thoracic specialist was very honest and truthful. I'm pretty tired, and haven't really slept, but am looking forward to my three MRI's today….(sigh)

Will update properly later. Take care.

Good luck,I had a head MRI a couple of months ago,and it's not very nice.
Glad the first surgery went OK,keep hanging in there.
Ian

Something else out of the way! All the best for the MRIs.

Mark. I'm glad things went well yesterday.
Good luck for today.

well thats a result, one step closer to getting rid of it 😉

3 MRI's? Well at least you are getting your moneys worth! 🙂

Only just picked up on your post…..best wishes and hang on on there

Bovine?? Can you not ask to get something a little more niche? Whilst the scar will indeed be cool, imagine the story you can tell if you have something like rhino tissue in there, or lion!

Joking aside, glad you can now see the enemy and have it's measure. You _will_ beat this.

Any news on where the "doo of the year" is to be held? and Flash, can I have a lift please? no doubt Wendy will want the car for summit nappy-features related.
Should we eat before we get there or is food provided?

Good luck fella, me and mrs skip are keeping all our fingers and toes crossed for you. Keep fighting it and keep that positive outlook you have. Congrats on the engagement and keep us posted on your progress.

Take care Mark and Meg

The Skips x

you're one day closer to remission, steady as it goes, good luck

My mother is an ex-Macmillan nurse,I have followed the thread and being impressed by your bravery, I forwarded the thread to her and she told me that your attitude to your condition was typical of the sort of person who beats this. Good luck.

been following this from the start and trying to come up with the right words, still can't, so i will just say good luck and kick it!

Hey Mark, Your one tough cookie keep it up and many congratulations on the engagement
All the best to you two, let us know if we can be of any more use on the tinterwebs 🙂