Thank you for taking the time to visit my fundraising page.

email-  michaelgander@btinternet.com

UPDATE –25/9/06

After all the waiting, the letter finally arrived, i am due to go in to hospital tomorrow morning at 10am, for various tests and monitoring, with surgery planned for Wednesday 27th (i assume !).

It's been a difficult 5 months, mentally. Coming to terms with a condition that i had never heard of but again, i feel fortunate that something can be done about it. i have learnt a lot about problems with the brain and there a lot of people far worse off than myself.

The support i have received has been a huge help, it means a great deal to me knowing that people are prepared to help in so many ways.

i am not so worried about the op (just mildly terrified !), as the surgeons carry out these operations daily, i am more concerned about the outcome and how i will be post op. But hopefully everyting will be ok eventually.

Besides i have a trek to do next year and a lot of fundraising events to set up before then.

Once back home i will be posting the address to a weblog, which i intend to keep updated.

Again, thanks for everyones support

Mike G

UPDATE –23/8/06

On the 21st Aug, a number of  colleagues and I had our heads shaved in order to raise awareness of Cavernous Angiomas and raise money for the Brain and Spine Foundation. The cuts were generously provided by Nicky, Kerry and Amy of "Headmasters", Wellington.

From top left

Simon, Justin, Surrinder, Me, Piggy, Curly, Dave and Braggy

Thank you to everyone involved

UPDATE –29/7/06

First of all I’d like to say a very big thank you to all those that have donated online.

I have been overwhelmed with the response to this page and by the offers from people willing to help out in various ways.

Well, the time has come to announce that after having had my hair long for years, it will be shaved off around the 23^rd of August (Actual date and time TBA)

I have arranged a head shaving and moustache growing event (I’m not really sure why I decided on the tache bit!!). A number of generous work colleagues have agreed to either grow a moustache until the end of August and/or have their heads shaved in order to raise awareness of Cavernous Angiomas.

I will replace the photo top left with a suitable pic to show off our new hair styles!!

Thanks again

INTRODUCTION -

 I have recently been diagnosed with a vascular malformation of the brain, and I’m awaiting surgery.

“Vascular malformations of the brain are abnormal arrangements of the blood vessels in your head. There are several types, each affecting a different part of this network of arteries, capillaries and veins.”

Although a terrifying shock, I feel fortunate in that my Cavernous Angioma (CA) can be considered for surgery (Not without serious risk). In some cases, CA’s are considered inoperable due to their location within the brain. 

I am also fortunate that, at the moment, this condition is not causing me too many problems. Others are not so lucky and have to live with various neurological deficiencies

 For further information -

http://www.brainandspine.org.uk/  

http://www.angiomaalliance.org.uk/

Before diagnosis I was unaware of the number of conditions that can affect the brain, and I’ve found the above 2 sites to be of great benefit both for education and reassurance

 Rather than dwelling on risks involved with my operation, I am focusing on the more positive side of this experience.