In what seems like a long time ago I was in a fairly sticky situation. Having been diagnosed with a rare incurable cancer, I felt isolated, alone and desperate. I started posting from the start on STW as a way of recording my experiences – to this day I have never read the thread back; I don’t have the courage, truth be told. But one day, early into the process, a lady emailed me with a story about her husband – a man who had been struck down by the same cancer, sarcoma – with an offer of friendship, advice and hope.
That lady was Trudi.
I could go into extensive detail about the friendship that has evolved from that initial contact. I could tell you how important they have been to my wife and I. How during the fear and terror, they offered a hope for a future. How J taught me that it was okay to be scared, but not to let the fear rule your life. In my dark days of chemo, having been given a short time to live, the thought of his support, his heroic success at getting back on the bike and his ‘will-do’ attitude were the principal reasons for getting back on a bike and riding. If a hill was too steep, I would goad myself with visions of a man with one arm succeeding, and it would always spur me on.
J was my hero, genuinely. He taught me about courage in the face of impossible odds, and how that could be used to encourage other people in a similar position to fight and survive. I don’t think I would be here today if it hadn’t been for him and his wonderful, magnificent wife.
If you see me at a race this year wearing a Team Bullheart jersey, stop me and ask me about Julian Materna, one of the original members of our shonky bunch. I will gladly regale stories about a magnificent friend who helped save my life, and I will probably weep whilst doing so, but I make no apologies for that, and feel no shame in doing so.
I love you J. Thanks for helping light my way.
