Almost 12 months to the day that I started feeling mysteriously unwell, I write this post to say I am taking on the London Triathlon (Olympic distance) on 6th August 2023.

In early July last year, I had been sweating profusely and constantly from parts of the body I didn’t realise I had sweat glands, feeling severe fatigue and other symptoms not fit for descriptions on LinkedIn. Having initially thought it was something innocuous that would pass, the 2-week mark was when I actually decided to get this checked out.

After several tests, in September I got my diagnosis as having Crohn’s Disease. Not something you are born with or something transmissible, but something anyone can get at any time if the balance of bacteria in your digestive system tips that way – albeit people can be born more susceptible to it – but that’s what science tells us currently.

After more blood tests than I have blood, a great deal of support and understanding from my employer and colleagues; so many unpronounceable medications that would win any scrabble game; and what feels an unrepayable debt of support I received from my girlfriend, family and friends; by early April I felt consistently well for the first time in 9 months – all thanks to a medication that did not exist until 2003.

My attitude coming out of this is forever changed, I decided that I am going to do all the things that I threatened to do “one day (maybe)”. So in May 2023 I ran my first half marathon in 4 years, This weekend I am climbing Ben Nevis and in August will be the small matter of my first ever Triathlon – in the biggest triathlon currently run in any city centre in the world.

When reflecting on this time, you realise there are so many people of all ages less fortunate than yourself - even when I was lying in bed sweating having been to the bathroom 5 times in the past hour - hence this appeal for any donations you can make to Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Acorns Children's Hospice Trust is a registered charity, offering a network of palliative care and support to life-limited and life-threatened children and their families in the UK. It’s a great cause, as you can see, any donation (no matter how small) would be greatly appreciated.

Link JustGiving - 

https://lnkd.in/erWbuPvu

FYI Olympic Distance:

1500m swim (in the Thames)

40km bike

10km run

Images are Feb 19th 2023 and 5th July 2023.