Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

It was an absolute shock to my friends, family and I when, in April 2012, I was diagnosed with advanced Bowel Cancer.  In the preceeding months I had noticed I was losing weight and some pain in my abdomen but I never thought, at just 30, it could have been Cancer.

Following some surgery (illieostomy - not fun!) and consultations at a local hospital I was referred to the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, London.  This decision would, in my opinion, have a fairly major impact in saving my life.

Over a period of 18 months I would undergo 6 surgical operations, 6 months of intravaneous chemotherapy and an intensive 6 week course of chemo-radiation (chemo combined with radiation).  During this period I also set about living as healthy and nutritious a life as I could with loads of advice from my girlfriend, family, friends and friends of friends.  My little guy Bailey (my dog) and I made sure that we were out every day walking which was a massive helped both mentally and physically..

On the 14th of February of 2013 I was informed that following a fairly major operation that I was free of any cancer and now in remission.

Unfortunately, my journey wasn't quite at an end as I would need to continue chemo treatment to ensure that all microscopic disease was killed off and was then diagnosed with a second Cancer in my Thyroid (neck).  Thankfully this form of cancer was quite treatable and, although being an annoyance, I was assured there should be no long term damage.

It's been a gruelling time for myself and those around me.  It is my intention to live life to the full going forward and completing these challenges is a big part of that.  To date, the challenges I am organising are below (although I hope to add to this):.

 

• The Marsden March (14 mile walk between two Marsden sites) - Sunday March 16th
• The Ridgeway (87 mile trail from North Wessex to Chilterns near Berkhamsted): March 21st - 23rd  2014
• Salkantay (& Inca Trail) Trek (5-7 day trek through the Andes to Machu Picchu) - May 21st - 29th 2014
• Windsor Half Marathon - 28th September 2014
• The Three Peaks (highest mountains in Wales, England and Scotland over 3 days): - October / November 2014

 

Since having my illieostomy removed I have now returned to playing football with the team I help run as well regularly running (may throw a race of some kind into this list of challenges).  Also, in December I got engaged to my girlfriend Rachel so this year is starting on a real high!

Through the course of the coming months I hope to update this page with my progress through the blog and maybe some pictures / video's.  I have a number of people joining me for the various adventures so I am hopefully we can raise a decent some for this amazing hospital in the heart of London.

Thanks to all for the support!

Cheers

Matti