Like all good ideas going to Norway by Rib was one of those "a few glasses too much" suggestions, yet a few months later and Daniel W had purchased a 7.5m seaworthy R.I.B, bringing up the Rib from Southampton to Orkney via myself in Suffolk, the mad Norway plan was finalised.
A couple of months later at the beginning of December I went to the doctor with an uncomfortable lump on my testicle. 
Cancer, one of those "never happen to me" illnesses and now it was the inescapable truth, some words have the ability to make your whole world seem different... this was definitely one of them. So began months of fear, surgery, testing, scans and chemo. The chemo cocktail of poisonous drugs was nothing like the umbrella'd, lime sliced, sugar rimmed cocktails I had consumed in the past, and the hangover that followed was something nothing could have prepared me for. 
There are few moments I could list as being life changing, finding out that I had cancer and receiving chemo are definitely up there, chemo isn't really a descriptive enough word, its something I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy, its the kind of thing that Id be outraged to watch an animal receive. It is hell.
Watching the pain on my families and friends faces was torture, there is very little comfort in seeing the people you love hurting, understanding through my own hurt was difficult. It would be easy in times like this to feel lost, to want to give in, but i received a massive boost from my neighbour and friend John, who is owner of Maritime Transport. John helped to refocus my thoughts by offering sponsorship for our Arctic trip. I was pushed in to seeing the future that I still had I had a new reason to battle on. 
And so with the support of family and friends in July 2014 I will be part of the team leaving Papay in Orkney travelling towards Norway and beyond the Arctic Circle in a 7.5m Rib, an amazing never done before adventure.

We have chosen to raise money for Woolverstone Wish who are looking to refurbish the chemotherapy ward at the Ipswich Hospital. I personally was cared for there and the support from staff was overwhelming and humbling.  Cancer may have changed my life but I can now look to a bright future. For the staff in the Woolverstone ward who help battle  cancer of all degrees on a daily basis words do not come close to the appreciation and respect I have for them. Please give generously to this very worthy cause.

Daniel

To find out more about our story please look at 

www.papayarcticadventure.blogspot.co.uk

The following information from the http://everyman-campaign.org/ sets out the steps in self examination

You should carry out these easy steps regularly. A thorough examination may be easier after a warm bath or shower as the scrotal skin relaxes.

 Most lumps found on the testicles are benign but any changes in size, shape or weight should be checked by your GP.

 Support the scrotum in the palm of your hand and become familiar with the size and weight of each testicle.

 Examine each testicle by rolling it between your fingers and thumb. Gently feel for lumps, swellings, or changes in firmness.

 Each testicle has an epididymis at the top which carries sperm to the penis. Don’t panic if you feel this - it’s normal.

 Regular self examination will help you become more aware of the normal feel and size of your testicles so that any abnormalities can be spotted early on.