Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. And please note that I'm not cycling to Geneva, as I was the only person who enrolled on it! Instead I am running in the Reading Half Marathon on Sunday, 21st March 2010.
On October 4th 2008 I suffered my first seizure and spent a week in hospital. I have since been diagnosed as having a cavernoma in the front left lobe of my brain. This is a fairly rare condition. The cavernoma is a blackberry-like formation which seeps blood into the surrounding tissue. As this is gradually absorbed it leaves traces of iron, known as haemosiderin, which cause the seizures.
You can find more information about cavernomas at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavernous_hemangioma. It helps if more people know about the condition.
I suffered a 28-hour memory loss with my first episode. I had a second seizure on February 6th 2008 which led to a week in UCH London and a memory of loss of about 8 hours. I have had much support through my experiences from the Cavernoma Alliance which has given me a great deal of information about my condition, and organises a wonderful free annual conferences and local support groups throughout the country. I should like to give some help back in recognition of this.
Luckily I am pretty fit and cycle and run a lot, which has helped me. As I am no longer allowed to drive cycling has allowed me to continue my work for the WEA, covering long distances throughout the county... Running has become my addiction. My consultant encourages me to keep fit and slim, and I'm not arguing with him!
So please dig deep and donate now.
