***STOP PRESS - TORN A LIGAMENT IN MY KNEE WHILE MOUNTAIN BIKING IN JUNE AND IN A FULL LEG BRACE UNTIL MID-AUGUST - NOW IN A RACE AGAINST TIME TO BE FIT ENOUGH TO MAKE THE START LINE ON THE 7TH***

My story:

On 16 January 2018 I was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer, aged 53. It had spread to my liver and lungs. Not a good day.

If I am brutally honest, in that moment I did not think I would see the following Christmas, let alone my 60th birthday. But here I am, writing this on the eve of my 60th, over 7 years after THAT day.

My consultant advised me that the journey that I was about to embark on would be a roller coaster. How right he was, not just for me but also my family.

To cut a (very) long story short, having had bowel surgery, liver surgery, three lung surgeries, four rounds of radio frequency ablation to my lungs, four rounds of stereotactic ablation to my lungs and liver, and a combined one and a half years of chemotherapy, my scans are currently showing no active disease. I am so grateful. My next scan is due the week after the Tour de 4 bike ride. Fingers crossed for that!

I am only here because of a fantastically skilled medical team. A big thank you for all them. And a special thank you to my thoracic surgeon for not writing me off in the dark days when my scans were not looking good.

My colorectal surgeon told me at the beginning of the journey that regular exercise can lead to better outcomes. I took up that advice. I was out on my bike as soon as I could between each surgery and ablation treatment. Exercising during chemo was tough, but I did what I could. I am convinced that it made a difference.

When Sir Chris Hoy announced that he was planning the Tour de 4 (https://www.tourde4.com) with the intention of getting as many people as possible living with Stage 4 cancer together to show that it is possible to live well and lead a happy life alongside such a devastating diagnosis, I just knew I had to take part. Hopefully together we can raise both awareness and much needed funds to support some great charities.

Even though I am a regular biker, the Tour de 4 will still be a challenge, particularly the elevation gain and some of the gradients on the red route. I have always been a rubbish climber, but these days I have the perfect excuse after having my lungs thoroughly sliced and diced by my surgeon.

Thank you for reading this. Your support, no matter how small, can help make a difference.

Best wishes,

Mark