New territory

Mum is recovering well from her op. No other tumours were found in the area removed - what a relief! More from the oncologist on Thursday to discuss the next step, which will probably be radiation therapy and then another full scan in a couple of months.

On the training front headed out on a new route yesterday. Put together a route using the map to extend an old favourite in a bid to put in a "longer" ride. Well, what a bizzare experience that was. Headed into Lanarkshire which really felt like the back of beyond. The countryside was beautiful in a wild rugged sense but was marred by fly-tipping (and seriously rough roads in places). On my travels a saw a double mattress, sofa, fridge and many many tyres all lying in the ditches. On top of that I had a mad farm dog going for my wheels, happened on a prison in the middle of the countryside and this was all before I got to Shotts.

Now Shotts was the most bizzare experience. I got really lost as I think most of the road signs had been stolen. I didn't really want to stop and check the map as didn't feel 100% safe. When I did find the road out of town , there was an ambulance, paramedics, police and a bunch of nosy neighbours (watching from a safe distance) at a not so nice looking house. Needless to say I wasn't stopping there for a spot of lunch in the sun!

All in all managed 3+ hours training. Topped that off with another 1.5 hours today and feel surprisingly good. Now the roast is on, cider is chilling the fridge and Mark is making rhubarb crumble.

The latest update on Mum's battle (& my training)

Three months ago Mum had a large tumour removed from her scalp, which turned out to be a melanoma (agressive form of skin cancer). She also had her lymph nodes removed to prevent the bastard disease from spreading. The surrounding tissue was tested and there was no sign of the cancer spreading. After all full body scan no sign of cancer anywhere else. What a relief!

On Friday 13 March 2009 Mum had another small melanoma removed, close to the sight of the original cancer. She now faces the prospect of radiation therapy to blast any other cancerous cells that could be lurking in the area. As far as we are concerned that is the last of it. NO MORE CANCER!!!

In a bid to vent some frustation and repay the suppor that I have had back in the UK, I am riding Etape Caledonia in May. It is 81 miles around some beautiful Perthshire countryside, past Loch Rannoch & Schehalion. http://www.etapecaledonia.co.uk/

Well training began in earnest this weekend. Saturday was just a run to build up stamina. Sunday I headed out with Mark for a steady but hilly 25 mile ride. My fatal mistake...to let Mark lead the way home. He took us over some 15-20% gradient climbs. The legs were screaming on the last two climbs but I just though of Mum and dug deep. Felt fantastic afterwards and enjoyed the cups of tea and shortbread after. Feeling invincible today and as I had the day off decided to head to Glentress for a spot of mountain biking. Well did I feel the effects of yesterday's ride as soon as the gradient got even the slightest incline. Still I managed a good 1.5 hours riding which literally finished me off. Have just enjoyed a well deserve cuppa, chocolate and a long soak in the bath.