Recap:
After dealing with Resection of the Bowel for Sigmoid Cancer in November 2017, followed by 6 months of Chemotherapy from February ā July 2018, then a Colostomy Reversal in June 2019, the Cancer returned by October 2019 ā Metastasised to the Liver and Abdomen. I was given the Terminal Diagnosis on December 16th 2019.
This was my 4th Cancer diagnosis following Stage 4 Testicular in 2002 (Metastasised to the Lungs and Abdomen) and Prostate in 2012 (Robotic Radical Prostatectomy). I hope this goes some way to explain why I have decided to say no to anymore more treatment ā I have had enough now! Anyway, I was advised by various NHS Staff to make a āWish Listā, while my brother and sister said to name anything that I wanted to do, and they would do their best to make it happen. I told everyone that I have done everything!
For a start, Iāve seen all the good bands ā Itās hard to explain what it was like seeing a band back in the 70ās, compared to now. Black Sabbath, Status Quo, Queen in the Southampton Gaumont Theatre in ā76. AC/DC in the Top Rank Bingo Hall in Reading, Judas Priest in the Brunel Rooms in Swindon. Hawkwind at the Stonehenge Free Festival ā crikey, they came on at about 2am! Witnessing the birth of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal on the London Club Scene, and then that leading onto the whole Thrash Metal movement. I even saw Metallica in the Lyceum Ballroom just off the Strand in ā84, and also Slayerās first ever U.K. gig in the Marquee, Wardour Street ā now that was game changer!
Anyway, I donāt do holidays abroad, but I did consider flying to Vancouver to blag my way into Kona H.Q. and see if I could hang out with them for a day. I had after all watched that endearing video with Dr. Dew showing some German visitors around 381 Railway Street, and one with Paddy White at 2455 Salashan Loop, Ferndale. I could then fly on out to Hawaii and take some pictures of local places that have been used for various Kona models. However, I thought it would be expecting a bit much of them, as they are probably busy inventing and selling new bikes, rather than having time to reminisce with a Kona fanatic over some bikes that they made 25 years ago.
So I decided that I could probably get a motorbike again ā I passed my motorbike test in the 70ās and have owned a few. This was just before my 2nd lot of Chemotherapy treatment for this particular Cancer, which would last for 6 months; Jan - June 2020. My brother and sister were understandably concerned for my safety, but I though what the heck, what I have got to loose.
I did a refresher course on the former Greenham Common Air Base, and then bought that Silver Machine ā see what I did thereā¦. a 14 year old ZX6R, to see how I got on. I only paid Ā£2,995 for it so it didnāt really matter too much if I couldnāt manage to ride it, and I could just sell it again. Somehow between Chemotherapy cycles, I manged to get out on it, and felt confidant and comfortable. I started hanging out a bit more at Greenham Kawasaki, and they, errā¦. encouraged me to try a newer model, which lead onto me trading in the 2006 model for the 2017 that I now have.
Hi Pip, can you find away around the bike problem? Support rider in a car who can swap on should you get tired on the road. I assume needing to randomly stop with fatigue is your concern.
Lost a friend a few years back who we would take out in his own car for spirited drives once he wasnāt able.
Appreciate a bike is a much more complicated problem and risk.
Stay Strong
Chris
Thanks Chris, that is a good call and it was kind of you to help your friend out like that. Last year when I still considering riding to my sisterās place in Malvern (100 miles from here), I was offered some support to collect me if I couldnāt manage the entire journey. Iām not sure now if it will be doable for me this year, but if I feel up to it I can call on the same offer again.
Pip