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

Any word?

Just wondering how's it going man?

I'm sat at the computer during a free period, so thought an update might be in order…

Meg and I travelled up to Guy's hospital on Saturday afternoon, and it was a rather muted affair. I think that I'm getting weary from all of the ups and downs of this process, and it can be pretty hard to stay upbeat 100% of the time. It turned out that we were later than expected by the staff on the cardio-thoracic ward who weren't best pleased, but a mix up with the specialist was to blame and we were forgiven.

A number of nurses came around and took samples, bloods, swabs, details etc, and after signing several consent forms we went to Nandos (classy eh?)for tea. I walked Meg to London Bridge station, watched her get on the train, and walked back to the hospital. I'd taken my netbook with me and signed on to STW, looking at the many different messages of support from you all.

My op was scheduled for the morning, and all went well. My specialist explained that she'd got all the mass that she could out, so that'll be whipped off for biopsy and we'll hopefully have some results by the end of the week. The heart is a much bigger issue. Regardless, they're going to have to open me up to both see and remove whatever is showing up on the PET scan. So open-heart surgery it is then! I'll admit I'm not looking forward to it, but the scar will look fookin' amazing!

I had three MRI's yesterday to further investigate the lytic lesions on my pelvis/spine. It was the second time I've been for testing without Meg, and I find the experiences frightening and lonely. All was going swimmingly until about three minutes in to the first 30min burst, when the CD I had chosen started to skip, resulting in two different but painfully similar 'whumping' noises in the earphones!

Meg and I are getting married on the 31st of October in Somerset; now I know that some folk might see this as a poignant gesture of love in the face of death, but in actual fact Meg has an issue with me having a bald head in the wedding photo's and has accelerated our projected date by a few light-years…I would love to be able to afford to invite each and every one of you to the wedding, but I can't and I'm genuinely sad about this. Without all of your best wishes, support and love I would have crumbled very quickly in the face of all of this.

I will however be having a reverse 'stag-do' when I'm better next year; probably in Yorkshire, definitely with all of you, and proudly displaying scars on a body that you all helped to save. I give you my word.

M x

will however be having a reverse 'stag-do' when I'm better next year; probably in Yorkshire, definitely with all of you, and proudly displaying scars on a body that you all helped to save. I give you my word.

You'll have a pint of Black Sheep in your hand and some miles in your legs before you know it fella!

Hang in there 😀

Looking forward to the stag do.

Remember… "Chicks dig scars" (if not bald heads!)

Good lad! keep your pecker up – I can understand the loneliness of hospital tests without the other half there. That mental strength that you have displayed so far is the key, small steps 'get through this test THEN think about the next one'. All the best fella and I look forward to the 'do' next year – who knows I may have a new kidney by then too, double celebration! (without taking anything away from yours of course!)

Congrats to you both for 31st Oct – my birthday so I won't forget!

Hats off to you Mark and aren't women brilliant at being 'practical' with wedding photos!

I think this thread puts into perspective the 'problems' we all face in life – there's a lot of good Karma heading your way right now

best wishes
Tank

Not read the whole post by I think I get the gist of this, hope all turns out well. Good Luck.

Have been following this thread without saying anything yet, mainly because others have said it far more eloquently. But reading again, I just want to say that I feel humbled by your attitude to this.

Good luck for the 31st, I hope you have a great day. Can you let us know what the timetable is, because even if (understandably) you can't invite us all, I'd like to raise a glass to you both and wish you well in absentia.

Sounds like you're getting to grips with it all. It's going to be impossible to be upbeat 100% of the time. 99% is easily good enough 😉 I can appreciate that slogging down to Guys for treatment isn't much fun. Any chance you could combine it with something fun to look forward to? Art Gallery or Museum visit, gig, bike shop, that kind of thing?

All the best,

Rich

Followed thread for ages not saying much, don't feel I can add much. But boy you are an inspiration and puts silly things in my life into perspective. Have a brilliant wedding and make sure you post us all some pics afterwards. My thoughts are with both of you at this difficult time, have some of my positive energy and thoughts to add to your own.

You are an inspiration, both of you. xx

Looking forward to the ride already and hope you have a great day on the 31st.

Certainly makes dog-eggs in bags at the side of the trail seem like something to smile about. Keep up the positive outlook, but buy some new CDs!

Can we be the first tandem team to sign up for the 'reverse stag-do' please?

So impressed with how you're both tackling this. Sandy's father was a long-term diabetic and in his later years lost his eyesight, stomach, and both legs. He still went skiing, sailing & rock climbing. Takes a huge amount of guts & determination to keep going in such circumstances, and an incredibly strong partner by your side. Sounds like you have both.

With metta,
Rob & Sandy

Just got onto this thread as i'm sat at home having had a large biopsy myself this morning, i'm a teacher too so i'm not complaining about the time off work! I was diagnosed with skin cancer last month and while i appreciate it is no where near as full on as your case it's been a difficult time for me and my family.

You sound very positive and i know you'll beat this and be back on the bike before long, looking forward to a long and happy marriage.

Simon

All the best to you too Simon.

Hello Mark, Glad to hear things are progressing, and also that you have set a date for your wedding – congratulations to you both. Just wanted to say – open heart surgery is not so bad. The anticipation for me was so much worse than the reality. You'll be up and about within a couple of days, albeit with an elephant sat on your chest for a little while. Wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery. Rona

Like a few folk i guess, I've considered myself a noob to the forum and followed the thread not knowing what to contribute, however this struck a cord..

but the scar will look fookin' amazing!

My dad was a sick kid and had liver and kidney surgery – left a scar at the front and back – he told me (and i believed absolutely) that it was where a German guard had bayonetted him as he escaped from a POW camp during the war. Only AFTER i got to do maths/history at school did i work out the discrepancy between the end of the war and his birthdate of 1948!!

Im sure you can come up with a tall tale to make best use of the evidence left!

Good luck, and stay positive

Mike

It's good to hear from you Mark.
J says if any of his London days fall in with your hospital days, he'll come and visit, maybe buy you lunch if you feel like it?

I like Meg's reasoning for the wedding being sooner rather than later. Good lass.
Although to be fair, you may look much better as a baldie than you expect, and there's hours of fun to be had using sellotape to 'wax' patterns into your hair once it starts to go. 😉 And then there's the silly hat parade.
Another plus is that you don't have to put up with months and months of wedding planning!

Are girls going to be allowed at the reverse stag do? I hope so because I really want to buy you guys a beer!

And Simon, happy vibes coming your way too. Heal fast and heal well. 🙂 Don't belittle your situation, it is tough to deal with. There's no comparing here, tough is tough!

Oy!!! What's wrong with bald heads? 😥

Good luck fella. Everythings crossed for you.

I hope so because I really want to buy you guys a beer!

.(420 posts) (243 voices)

one hell of a round 🙂

You're a way stronger man than me, that's for sure! I'd say chin up but you're doing a mighty fine job of that already!

Good luck and congrats on the wedding!

Smudger – much as I'd love to buy you ALL a beer, I kind of meant Mark and Meg. But you knew that really, didn't you? 😉

Trudi – I'll let you know when I'm due to go in. It'd be lovely to meet up with J whilst I'm incapacitated!

And you guys would be suprised; before Meg and I got together, I wet-shaved my head for nearly six years! I KNOW how good I look with a bald head, its just her indoors that worries…

Simon - Trudi's right; it doesn't matter what form illness takes, it's all shite and scary. Solidarity brothers (and sisters)!

You are an amazingly strong guy! Good luck and for course congratulations to the both of you.

x

Can I add my good wishes along with every body else on here , your a total inspiration to everybody cheers mate.

Thanks folks,

Mark i'll keep a keen eye on your progress and as i'm in Sheffield keep us posted about the Yorkshire stag do!

You'll beat it.

Never mind "a" stag do, I reckon you'll be going on tour next summer !

Another one that's read from the beginning but there hasn't been anything extra to add that's not already been written.

Your posts are inspirational and really put perspective to what's important.

All the best for the 31st and keep us posted on the reverse stag do and your progress beating this thing head-on

Mark, all the best – havent had much to add to the many wishes.

Keep fighting it, Mark.
Stag do in Yorkshire? I'll be there…………………….and so will you, buddy!!

I was having a right old whinge earlier today before I read your update – as everyone else says it's put my life into perspective. I'm in london quite a bit, so more than happy to bring you a ST and some grapes if you're in while I'm in. Again been reading since the beginning – totally inspired by your courage.

I'm in for a stag do ride in some proper hills!

Like a lot of folks I've had friends and family that have had the big C, and have seen it go both ways. So all the best to you (both) and good luck. And have a great wedding too. I'll be buying you a drink should I ever be lucky enough to meet you.

Man, I read this thread when it was a day old and haven't been on here much lately. Can someone kindly fill me in with a brief summary on what has happened as I dont have time to read over 400 entries?

Good luck petesgaff!!

Spongebob, in summary……
Mark has a top woman called Meg, who is shortly to become his wife. As we can't all fit at the wedding, next summer when he's beaten the big C the entire STW massive is meeting in Yorkshire for the largest riding/beer drinking session the world has ever seen.

Have I missed anything?
Rob

no, that about sums it up

All the best Mark & Meg. I can't add to what has already been written, so I won't try.

but if you want a band at your stag do, let me know

Meg may have a dislike for grooms with bald heads and that's fair, but far beyond any such thoughts she clearly loves you beyond measure, and you her. I envy you this, and wish you good luck and the best of health for the future. :o) stay strong and overcome.

I can only echo everything that has already been said here.

Now about this wedding, i'm might be doing a Halloween ride on the 31st and that's in Somerset, so please do tell where you're going, you may then get a few STW guests, albeit dressed up as ghouls and nasties…..You could even bring your bike and slip off out for ride with us….

See you there Sharki 😉

I have a ginger scouse/afro wig you could borrow if baldness is a problem?
Mebee then Meg would see the benefit of the Kojak look?

Stag do in Yorkshire! Excellent choice. Will be there to buy you a drink (though if everyone does that, it'll be a fierce hangover…mebee we need to club together for a STW wedding present instead???).

CHB
Leeds.

mebee we need to club together for a STW wedding present instead???).

I'm in for that.

Thanks for taking the time to post the update, I'm sure you have more than enough on your plate without feeling you have to keep us in the loop, but it's really appreciated.

Great news about the wedding, will definitely be toasting you from Berks.

As others have said, I'm sure you'll be back on the bike before you know it.