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WHY I'M RAISING MONEY FOR CANCER RESERCH.

2005 was a fantastic year, working hard for 70+ hours a week, on the upward ladder, also playing hard in non work time, a lovely girl, what could go wrong?  I'd thought for some time things weren't right but typical male didn't want to visit my Dr.  Eventually I did and very shortly, a Wednesday I saw the consultant, had scan - testicular cancer, back on Friday for pre-op tests, Wednesday - 13th - had the testicle removed.  Cheltenham for 14 weeks intense chemo.  Mid November - Good News, markers down to under 5.  But, following an MRI called back - problem with spine, biopsy showed tumours on spine, consultant worried as not seen before in 25 years, also tumour in abdomen - that really fills you with confidence.

Jan 06 to Bristol for biopsy - not good, it showed spinal tumours + spine curving, March an op to remove 2 of the tumours near base of spine, metal box would replace and a metal ladder to support spine, then about 8 weeks later have the abdominal one removed - got blind drunk that night.  All went ahead as planned, both ops at Bristol. The pain after spinal op bad but after abdominal op pain like I'd never known before - kept the ward awake all night, morphine didn't help.  Now I have scars down back and front - this looks like a zip!  Wonderful staff at Bristol, 2 fantastic consultants.

My wonderful friends and the residents of Ledbury banded together and did some fundraising to send me for a holiday, people were so kind, many cards, lots of prayers said for me.  More than enough money raised so could also donate to Dr's surgery and others who had helped.

I've seen some wonderful consultants and Dr's at Hereford - Cheltenham - Frenchay - Bristol Royal, my own Dr's - Macmillan nurses, almost all of the people who've been involved, from the cleaners to the highest consultants have been truly amazing, my treatment has cost a huge amount of money, I was told the expected outcome - I would not survive but - I've proved them wrong, many people have fought for me, helped me and are still helping me.  I heard couple of weeks ago that my testicular cancer is cured, it was strange to hear that, after expecting the worst now I can expect the best - well almost, I'll always have problems due the spinal cancer but my family, my friends, my colleagues continue to help me, raise my spirits if I get down and celebrate my highs.

So you can see why I want to raise as much money as possible, if I can be cured then more money for more research will help others to be as lucky.  I say to you all - if you think you have a problem, or someone you know thinks they have - see the Dr, far better than ignoring it.

Michael Jarrett