Update 06/08/16:

I wanted to provide an update on where I am, or actually,
where Amy is just now, and thank everyone for their kind and generous donations so far.

Amy is home after a marathon operation taking 13 hours in
all. No-one knew before the operation what would happen but she had to have a full hysterectomy, her appendix removed (the root of all evil apparently – as this is where the cancer started!), her gall bladder, spleen, the fatty layers which protect her organs (no roller coaster rides now as her remaining organs won’t be protected) and the right side of her bowel. Basically the cancer was everywhere. Then they finally put a stoma in place.

In Amy’s words ‘All in a day’s work – Amazing people!... the care in ITU and back on the ward was exceptional.The staff would do absolutely anything for you, more than they'd be expected I'm sure and always with a smile on their faces. And it wasn't just the nurses and doctors, the dieticians, physios, cleaners and tea ladies all went above and beyond their job descriptions and were all so pleasant and caring.’

Amy spent the rest of the day after she was awoken in ITU
and then spent 1 day in the High Dependency Unit before going back to a
Critical Care Bay, for people who need a little bit more looking after.

She has had a battle over the past weeks – probably too much
pain and discomfort to really comprehend but she finally got home last Friday to be with her family and sleep in her own bed again after 3 weeks in hospital. It has made all the difference - I can't imagine not able to see my kids for fear that they would be too upset by my condition. These little things I take for granted!

And what about the future? Amy left hospital on 21 tablets
and having to inject herself daily. She is still battling with getting the
right balance of food, drink and medication. Still battling fatigue and trying to beat the pain. She is awaiting Chemotherapy. She will have to take penicillin for the rest of her life and always have an emergency antibiotic to hand if she starts to feel in the slightest bit unwell. She will have to carry a couple of emergency medical cards everywhere she goes. But the doctors who operated on her say they got all the cancer and for that she is thankful. She is looking forward to getting stronger and being able to do more.

Amy tells me that the communication between the Royal Hampstead Hospital and her GP and other professionals in the Borders has been
exceptional – which has meant that she feels more confident about her ability to cope with the future moving forward.

I want to apologize if this is too much detail but Amy is happy for me to share in the hope that it raises awareness of what people go through when they have Pseudomyxoma. With any form of cancer, it’s not just about diagnosis and treatment of the cancer, it’s about the long journey through recovery – the physical and emotional consequences for people and their families. We don’t talk about this enough.

So this gives some perspective to my efforts to run a marathon in September. Not long now and too little training done. I know Jill
has been training hard and is feeling good about the run! I attempted 14 miles last  weekend only to abandon in what felt like too much pain at 12 miles. Supremely chastened by Amy’s experience I will try again this weekend and will cover that distance even if walking is the only option.

Thanks again for your generous support and thanks for reading.

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Update June 2016: 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Jill and I have entered the Lochness Marathon to run 26.5 miles for our friend Amy Blake, recently diagnosed with Pseudomyxoma, a very rare form of cancer which usually starts in the appendix.

At the end of this month Amy will be undergoing surgery to try to remove the cancer which has been growing in her abdomen. The surgery could take up to 12 hours and she will be in intensive care for days, if not weeks afterwards. Amy is a young mum of three young kids and she has always really impressed me with her 'just take it as it comes and enjoy it' approach to life. Even with cancer she is making the most of things, remaining positive. Her example is an inspiration.

Amy ran the Loch Ness Marathon as her first marathon - in a pretty amazing time of 3 hours and 45 minutes. I'll never get near that - but I hope to run this marathon to raise money for her chosen Charity, the Pseudomyxoma Research Fund at the Hampshire Hospitals Charity - the hospital who will be treating Amy, and who specialize in treating this rare form of cancer.

The challenge for us will be to complete this marathon - whether walking or running it won't matter - the aim will be to finish, and to do it with a smile!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.