In 2015 I was diagnosed with a Brain Tumour (Acoustic Neuroma) which changed my life forever.

I’m pleased to say my surgery six weeks later successfully removed all the tumour but I was left profoundly deaf in my right ear and had to relearn how to balance and walk again.

My recovery has been nothing short of remarkable and I owe a huge amount to the expert skull based team at Salford Royal and the British Acoustic Neuroma Association (BANA).

Although surgical outcomes continue to improve many patients don’t get the results I did. Some are left, unfortunately, with facial palsy, chronic pain and headaches, depression, fatigue, mobility, balance issues and struggle to come to terms with their hearing loss.

I have been an ambassador for BANA for over five years now and every other year I raise money for the society to help patients struggling with life after Acoustic Neuroma surgery.

Over the years I have submitted the Matterhorn, passed the fitness test for the SAS and traversed the Cuilin ridge in 24 hrs in the Isle of Skye.

This year I take on the enormous challenge of completing an Ironman distance Triathlon.

I have been training for the past ten months, sometimes completing 15 hrs a week to prepare.

On the day I will complete a 2 hr swim, 112 miles on the bike and finish with a marathon.

When I was diagnosed with the tumour I was just 6 weeks away from taking part in the Frankfurt Ironman and after my surgery in hospital I promised to myself that I would get back that level of fitness again. I was in my mid thirty’s then…I am in my mid forty’s now……so here goes!

Thank you very much for your donations as always and supporting me.

Big love,

Doug & family

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