Last year was quite a ride! I turned 40 and as part of a pledge to myself to 'take life by the proverbials' I pedalled 90km in the inaugural Tour de 4 along with Sir Chris Hoy and a community of thousands of incredible people bought together by the worst circumstance. But this wasn't a sombre occasion, far from it, it was a show of togetherness, of defiance and a demonstration that a Stage 4 diagnosis doesn't define the limits of what is possible. Yes, at times, we might have lost our hair, been subject to 'that look' and spent many hours lying in hospital beds staring at the ceiling looking frail and poorly but we can also pedal up 'The Tak-Ma-Doon', a steep 5km climb, with smiles on our faces! And guess what ... I loved it so much, I'm planning on doing it again!!!!

I was diagnosed with High-Grade Pseudomyxoma Peritonei in March 2019. It's a a rare appendix cancer affecting just 1 or 2 people in every million. It originates in the appendix and if the appendix bursts before it is detected (as it did in my case), cancerous cells spread around the peritoneal cavity producing mucin, a jelly-like substance. Over time, as the disease progresses, pressure builds and the disease may harden on and around abdominal organs which restricts their ability to function properly. It is largely diagnosed in the later stages as patients may have little or no symptoms until it has spread widely. Prognosis is therefore often poor.

That year, I had 8 rounds of chemotherapy and 2 major operations including 'The Mother of All Surgeries' a complex 12-hour operation during which surgeons removed 10+ of my abdominal organs. Unfortunately, it wasn't long before the disease returned and was deemed incurable. Since then, I have had more surgery to remove tumours, one the size of a melon, a clinical trial and procedures to alleviate small bowel obstructions. One tumour has also broken through my abdominal muscle and now protrudes under my skin.

Since the last Tour, the tumour at the top of my abdomen has grown, is now causing quite a bit of pain and is expected to create further complications in the next 6-12 months. Surgeons may decide that further surgery to remove this tumour is necessary, despite the risks of worsening my situation. Another alternative in the future may be a multi-visceral transplant, a complex procedure whereby surgeons in Oxford would replace a number of organs including my small bowel, stomach, pancreas and abdominal wall.

There are no guarantees that I'll be able to ride in September but at this time (early June) I remain relatively well and am putting everything into training hard and giving myself the best chance to be there on the start line.

For me, the Tour represents so much of what is important in life, a celebration of what the body can achieve despite the odds and an opportunity to give hope to others facing difficult times. It is a challenge that I have to prepare for, a focus for my energy, a distraction from the mundane 'stage 4 patient life' and a way of improving my cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength which is vital in order to cope with whatever comes next. It also gives me an opportunity to support a charity that I care greatly about and have supported me from 'day 1'.

Pseudomyxoma Survivor is a small, UK-based charity that help patients and caregivers affected by appendix cancer and other peritoneal malignancies. They provide emotional support and practical advice on all aspects of this rare disease, fund research projects and offer small Family Grants for patients affected by financial strains.

In the 2025 edition of the Tour, you helped me raise around £10,000 which funded Pseudomyxoma Survivors' Family Grants for an entire year!!!! This year, myself and a small army of friends, including Amanda who rode with me last year, will once again be supporting Pseudomyxoma Survivor and flying the flag for rare diseases.

I understand that many of us are 'feeling the pinch' now more than ever and also that so many of you were incredibly generous last year but I'd be so grateful if anyone feels able to support me once again, be it a donation and/or to share my page.

Thank you so much, Bex xx