The start of the idea

I first started thinking about doing something because of my sister Louise's illness last summer when my wife and stepdaughter did the Race for Life. 5km may not seem a long way but for Cheryl who hadn't run since her school days (and on the day it was 34c in Cambridge) it was a massive achievement and one which made me hugely proud. Here's them crossing the line (they are the two with the hands in the air). The day was hugely emotional for me with 10,000 women running for Cancer research and many emotive messages on display, Cheryl's is here.



I have to confess I shed a few tears when Cheryl and Bekah were out in the countryside while nursing a cold beer (pure consolation of course). I think it was at that point that I decided I had to undertake some sort of challenge and since then I have considered many options without being able to decide on exactly what I would like to do. Finally I went for something that would be a challenge physically but also be rewarding and hugely enjoyable and that is to walk the Cleveland way.



A bit about my sister. Just over 3 years ago Louise was diagnosed with breast Cancer. She immediately underwent a programme of chemotherapy, and then had a mastectomy and radiotherapy. It didn’t work and subsequently she was diagnosed with secondaries. Louise now acknowledges that she will not be cured but we continue to hope it can be controlled. I have been down to visit Lou these last few days and built her a patio as her birthday present. The fact that Louise recognises that she will no longer be able to tend her garden as she used to is indicative of the stage she is at but the conservatory and patio will at least enable her to see the outside world and on better days be outside (thank you global warming). Here's us with our respective dogs on the newly laid patio... no comments please on the development of my pregnancy.

Louise's latest batch of chemotherapy has not worked and her liver is now being affected by the cancer. Consequently having tried in the words of her consultant "all the good drugs" Lou will have to suffer chemo drugs with the greater side effects. This starts on Wednesday for the next eighteen weeks in six three week cycles. We hope it will arrest the growth but its going to be yet another tough time for Louise and Andy. Here's hoping.