#bloodwise

Ride London 2019

Ride London 2019 Done!

Better late then never but here is my post relating to this years Prudential Ride London which took place on August 4th. I chose to raise funds again this year for the marvellous people at Bloodwise and it was a privilege again to ride in their colours. The ride this year could not have been more different than 2018 in many ways. Firstly, in terms of my preparation and training, I exceeded my training miles this year over 2018 by…

Read More

Ride London 2018 Done

So, after countless sunny days, many training rides in the heat… it only tipped it down on the day, more or less all day.  It almost but didn’t break my spirit on the day… all I had to do was think back 12 months ago and remind myself that I followed the event from hospital bed, probably receiving blood transfusions that day also.  Crossing the finish line was special.. but not as special as the roar from the support team…

Read More

Prudential Ride London 2018 Bloodwise

Time to officially announce our second fundraiser for Bloodwise.  I am riding the Prudential Ride London 2018 on July 29.  This will be my second time riding this fabulous event.  Last year, I followed the action from my bed in Barnet Hospital when I was in for my first spell with infections related to my Hairy Cell Leukaemia.  I followed the action using the official ride app, where I’d configured it to follow my father-in-law, Julian, Tom, my brother-in-law and…

Read More

Bloodwise Tea with the Girls

On bank holiday May 7th MrsQ hosted the first of our fundraisers for Bloodwise “Tea with the Girls! (Not just for Girls).  On what turned out to be the hottest day in London this year so far, we setup the garden with as many tables and chairs as we could find. On the Menu we had:- Carrot Cake – Hummingbird Bakery Rich Chocolate Cake Rhubarb and Custard Cupcakes (with our own homegrown Rhubarb) Raspberry and Coconut Cheesecake (Vegan, gluten and dairy…

Read More

In Remission from Hairy Cell Leukaemia

On Monday 8th January 2018, 176 days after diagnosis, I was declared in remission from Hairy Cell Leukaemia by my consultant. It is quite difficult do describe my emotions on hearing and absorbing those words. Relieved, grateful, thankful .. a time for celebration, well, not quite, it didn’t feel that way. Being mindful as we’ve learned during this process that 1400 (approx) people on daily basis are diagnosed with one of the 130 varieties of blood cancer, celebration of remission…

Read More
Mijas Costa Andalucia Spain

One Hundred Days with Hairy Cell Leukaemia

One Hundred days ago I was diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukaemia.  100 days… one .. hundred … days… Looking back, at times it seems surreal, almost like flashbacks from a novel I’ve read, film, documentary I’ve seen.. but no.. it was all real. The first 20 days or so were the “worst”.  Reading about experiences of others my “worst” seems insignificant to the suffering of others with “other” blood cancers,  remember we’ve learned that there are 137 types, and HCL…

Read More

Hairy Cell Leukaemia Recovery Week 5

The week started as usual with my trip to the clinic for blood test.  The good news this week was that my neutrophils were up to 1.33 so improving significantly each week.  This was enough for me to decide that I was well enough to work from the office every day, travelling in at lunch time and returning home after rush hour. I’ve also started back practising trumpet on my pTrumpet to get chops back in shape.  With 3 concerts…

Read More

Hairy Cell Leukaemia Recovery Week 4

At last a pretty uneventful week.  Felt more fit and healthy than I have for many weeks.  Monday’s blood tests show that Neutrophils are up to 0.73 which is really good.  I have resumed daily yoga practice (a short 10 minute routine as I build up my strength) and trumpet practice on my pTrumpet. On Friday, I made an escape and went into the office for our monthly review meeting.  It was great to get out and catch up with…

Read More

Hairy Cell Leukaemia Recovery Week 3

A short report this week (… and there was much rejoicing…)  Sunday was pretty chilled, a relaxing breakfast and morning in our sun trap back garden.  Health wise, feeling good after a restful few days after being discharged from hospital.  Nothing much exciting to do as I was “focused on chilling” in preparation for returning to work on Monday.  We did dip into the Royal Marsden Cookbook to make evening meal on Sunday, this time Angela Hartnett’s  Pea and Pancetta…

Read More

Hairy Cell Leukaemia Recovery Week 1 and 2

I had intended for this to be a weekly blog detailing my recovery, but the unpredictability of being neutropenic put play to that.  There is a very fine line between, “I’m doing grand…” and “Eh, temp is up.. time to go to A&E” – 1.5 degrees Celsius. Friday 4th August Waking up in my own bed for the first time in over a week, without having nurses wake you to attach you to a drip, without nurses lying through their…

Read More