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The James Herriott Way Walk fund-raising event was successfully completed from Friday 18th - Sunday 20th September by the Flowserve team together with
further support from Syngenta's Stewart Stephen. Although often challenged, the mainly out-of-shape team took the task head-on through hills, valleys and river crossings, remaining up-beat throughout. Morning's were the most difficult offering limited joint movement combined with blisters and injury resulted in the team looking like walk-in extra's from a Zombie movie. Overall an fantastic fund-raising event.A note from Alastair: Where do I start, as getting a bit emotional every time I tried to reply, what your doing is absolutely excellent and after spending so much time within the Freeman Cancer hospital where the Bobby Robson department is situated, take it from me every penny counts. As I am through there on a daily basis, and unfortunately due to medication I need to be driven there. Therefore I have purposely I have asked each of my family and friends to take me through purely to let them see what I see, and open up the world which we never see until someone close to us has the illness. I am on my sixth and final week of treatment, just finished my last chemotherapy day today and what a long day that is starting from home at 08.00 and returning just after 18.00
I was told that the 4-5th week the treatment starts to hit home, however I have marched on until late on the fifth week, where it started to hit me like a rocket, unable to swallow at all (yes I know the jokes will be flying now) so using a tube to feed and input medication inc water etc. Ulcers in the mouth and tongue area which can be only won over by using lidocaine which is what is injected when you have dentist work. Unfortunately lost all taste and unable to talk very well, therefore apologies to anyone that has rang, as I just can't speak on the phone due to the swallowing and ulcers. The treatment mainly the radio therapy hits you, hurts you then comes back and hits you some more, soreness around the skin area on the neck is quite bad and inside the throat area is the same. Even though the radio therapy stops this coming Friday, the suggestion is that the radiation continues to hit you for a week or two after, however I think mind over matter will take over and I am sure I will start to recover once the treatment stops. Lost a fair amount of weight 9kg up to now, which is being frowned upon at the Freeman as weight assists recovery, but hey I had plenty in reserve so my thoughts are that I couldn't run a marathon before but might be able after loosing the weight so that tells me I will be fitter. (well thats my thoughts anyway) Again I appreciate in a massive way everything you and friends/colleagues and if possible please let them know how valuable their time, effort and contributions are. Due to my situation at the moment where travelling is somewhat of a hardship, this was proved today travelling to Newcastle having to stop twice, I won't be able to meet everyone whilst carrying out the walk, but I would appreciate it if someone would forward some photos.
- As you are probably aware, Alastair was recently diagnosed with Cancer and is currently undergoing six week / every day Radio/Chemo therapy treatment at the Bobby Robson unit at the Freeman Hospital. Friends & Colleagues of Alastair have decided to organise a fund raising event in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
It is our intention to complete the Herriot Way 4 day walk in the Dales within 2.5 days. Although only approximately 50 miles, the terrain is extremely challenging. The plan is to start late on Friday 17th finish on Sunday 19th September 09.
We are targetting £1000 and hope you can support our event with a contribution either large or small (or both !). Any supportive messages for Alastair are also welcome. If you would like to participate in the walk please contact Nicola Wakefield.
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