Coastrider; An Unexpected Journey....

A good friend often says that `Life Is Not A Dress Rehearsal`...
A saying that is so true and the winter of 2018/19 would prove this to be the case for myself...

I was diagnosed last year with what can be described as a mild condition of MS,
Relapsing Remitting MS is the most common form of MS that many people have here in Scotland and learn to accept and live with it, with help and treatments available to continue a regular life and not have an impact on their lifestyle...
And it is a condition i admit i have tried to ignore about and to carry on with life as usual - that is to say, until i have another Relapse will i worry about it, which again could not be for up to 9 years again or maybe will never happen ever again...

However something happened i could not ignore last Autumn...

One of the MRI Scans picked up something that led to another CT scan that diagnosed a kidney tumour...

Being diagnosed with a stage 1 growing cancer (as later the tumour was confirmed to be after removal) was at first devastating until i got my head around it and went on the positive to deal with the upcoming Op and recovery time.
I never thought having cancer would happen to myself and so it was a shock,
Support from NHS specialists was superb and i would soon be in for an Op to remove the tumour i referred to as my `Hitchhiker` which was successful  in also saving the kidney, and i was home for Xmas, so all went good..

Many people diagnosed with cancer talk about going on a journey,
Something i have now done and having been given the all clear mid February i know now what people talk about.
My partner M is someone also on that Journey having had surgery and for herself her  journey continues. My diagnosis had been given the green light 99% after a short 6 weeks with just yearly scans now for the next 5 years

So to be positive  (My cup is always half full) i could say being diagnosed with a mild condition of MS possibly saved my life - there!,  get that on a T shirt!,

Seriously though it`s easy to have a laugh about it but i did not really realise how big an operation and short but painful experience it would be,  and i cannot fault the NHS staff for their caring work in the  (only) 4 days i was in hospital,  but the stems and pipes wired into me i would not wish on anyone, or more so the removal of them and the dressings, it was painful, really painful....

Back home from Hospital and staying at my mums for a week  before finally back home to my own home and infection free everything went well, and i was soon out walking daily and after 4 weeks the Doc gave me the ok to drive again,
Being fit and healthy makes a big difference to recovery time from Major Ops,
I met the surgeon at my 6 week appointment who operated on me and he was impressed with my recovery, i nearly broke his arm shaking his hand thanking him i was so grateful!...
These folk deserve medals...

Here is a pic of the Op scar after 4 weeks, that beats a tattoo!  looks like a shark bite!

When things like this happen you find out who your real friends are, and i have been blown away by the support of some friends who have been great, along with my mum and my family and the amazing M,  i have never felt so close to someone before as M,
And M`s dog Jake! who has been great company as i recovered!

This winter has been really dry and settled with many days of sunshine so was great for getting out walking on the coast,  i was out daily walking 3-5 miles, often with family, friends, M, or Jake Dog for company...

I never had daytime tv on when in the house - just mind numbing dribble, I listened to Radio 6 music and read books, tided up, painted a bit, and some tinkering in the man cave,
Always positive and busy with the aim of getting healthier and fitter again and back on track...

This winters weather of many dry days of high pressure clear cold crisp days were an inspiration to get out and about on foot...

Jake, a faithful wee friend was always ready to go!

A frozen Peffer estuary,  one of many fine days out walking on the coast...

At 6 weeks when the Doc gave me the all clear on my Op he told me to get out on my bike cycling and exercise. At first it was a bit nervous after such a big Op but confidence soon returned and i could feel the improvement in health and fitness rapidly as cycling always is a great way to gently stretch muscles in the back, waist and legs...

My first wee peddle with M on her horse Johnny and i felt alive and was buzzing despite just a mile or so!...

The Future;
Having a break from working i really enjoyed the break from routine and have had a lot of time to think about a lot of things. What i am doing - what i want to do.  I know i want to continue living in East Lothian and enjoy my cycling here with my bikes i have built for around here.  `There`s no place like home`...
Something else was not right though, and i had realised how unhappy i was in my job.
It had not turned out to be what i thought it would be so decided to do something about it.
CV redone, and i was offered and accepted a Green keeping position at a prestigious Golf Course with superb working conditions, team and machinery, and i am really looking forward to the future doing what i am trained and skilled at, and with working hours that will suit me more; early start - early finish = more cycling time!
 
And i will be enjoying another bike this summer, during recovery a frame set arrived from HQ - the new Surly Pugsley, something to plan for and spec, source a few parts then build up  and get ready for the coming summer, but will post this up in the next blog post...

More soon...