Discharged!

So - almost 5 years to the day from my diagnosis, I went to the hospital today and got my Discharge Letter! Of course there will still be 3-yearly colonoscopies but that's only what any person over 50 should have.

And yes - I feel suddenly lighter.

Too many people to thank individually for their help, love and support over the last 5 years but I must mention three:

Mr Bain - my amazing, bluff bright tender and talented surgeon.

Jo - my dear dear friend who has been with me through all of this.

and

My mum Jean who sadly didn't live to see today - but I know somewhere she's smiling..

xxx

A Life Less Ordinary

Day 342 - A Life Less Ordinary
Originally uploaded by Menage a Moi

On this day five years ago I was told I had bowel cancer. The following year was one of the most difficult of my life as I underwent surgery and chemo but it would have been impossible without the love and support of family and friends. And I know that not all of us who get the diagnosis make it.

Today I'm fit and healthy and looking forward - never back.

I had all sorts of ideas for the photo for today but in the end I just took a photo of a walk with Alfie near the Bike Centre in Swaledale where I spend so much of my time.

Because every day is somehow less ordinary...

Social Climber

Day 229 - Social Climber
Originally uploaded by Menage a Moi

Still doing well - keeping myself fit on the bike.

Just back from a week mountainbiking in the Pyrenees - this is me at the top of the Port de Bales hill climb - one of the ones they do in the Tour de France! :-)

Checking In

Day 185: Apres Moi le Deluge...
Originally uploaded by Menage a Moi

Still doing well - really into my mountain biking now. As you can see - the rain doesn't put me off!

Hemlock!

Day 30 - Hemlock!
Originally uploaded by Menage a Moi

Just checking in.

Still doing well - feeling a bit under the weather at the moment but that's just something fluey I think.

Really enjoying my Mountain Biking at the moment so I've just bought a rather lovely Cotic Hemlock, custom-built by the equally lovely people at Dales Bike Centre. ( Other photos here)

Here's to a great year of biking!