Papa's 100 bike rides
Do you want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money in aid of Cancer Research UK and every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.
More information about Cancer Research UK: Cancer Research UK is the world's leading charity dedicated to research on the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer. Thanks to research, more people are surviving cancer than ever before.
As many of you may be aware my Dad, Frank was diagnosed with cancer in October 2018. Initially the doctors found a tumour in his thorax which led them to finding two more tumours, one in his right lung and one in his left kidney. Within a few weeks my dad had most of his lung removed. It was life changing for us as family. The leader of our clan was now the one who needed looking after, something that not one of us ever felt would happen. “Papa is invincible!”
Whilst healing and preparing for his next operation, dad was taken back into hospital numerous times, having to call 999 and to be ready to give him CPR is something myself and mum will never forget. Eventually, he was diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation, this made his heart beat abnormally fast which in turn made his breathing even more difficult, even without the missing lung and huge amounts of healing. During this last stay in hospital, the doctors had yet another setback for him. They found that his diaphragm had been ruptured and had moved up into the empty lung space making breathing a huge task. He was told that they could possibly operate again to reattach it. His reply “sign me up, I’m in your hands!”
In February 2019, still recovering my dad was back in hospital to have his kidney removed. The site where this dreadful disease had started its horrendous journey. He recovered at home with my mum looking after the tricky patient. It felt like huge relief. The doctors were confident that they had removed all the cancer and dad could begin to get ‘some kind of normal’ life back again. Dad went back into hospital in April to have his diaphragm reattached, unfortunately it didn’t work and has made it generally harder for dad to breath. Dad took this in his stride and just wanted to be able to get back on his bike! Which he managed at the end of May with his little buddy, Ted in tow.
We had a number of months with only scans to worry about, normal life had almost returned. Ted and Papa were up to their usual shenanigans, bike rides, sleepovers, swimming or a sneaky trip to Maccie D’s. “shhh, don’t tell Mummy!”
In February 2020, dad went to see his doctor, who had bad news. The cancer was terminal, it had spread to his other lung and he had numerous tumours throughout it. He was offered dual treatment, which he decided not to take as it would have a huge effect on the quality of his life. As a family we agreed that if he felt he was managing, we would hold off from treatment for as long as we could. By August dad was asked by his doctor “when is enough cancer enough?”
Dad started treatment at the beginning of September. He is currently just over halfway through his first cycle which consist of daily treatment at home and a hospital admission once every two weeks. As always, dad is going at it with his military attitude, regardless of how awful the side effects are or how poorly he is feeling.
Dad has been inspired by Sir Captain Tom Moore and his family’s ‘100 challenge!’ Starting on April 30th, my wonderful dad is intending to cycle around Rutland water 100 times over the following weeks to raise as much money as possible for Cancer research, who without; along with the amazing medical teams we don’t believe dad would be with us today. Ted, Matt and I hope to join him as often as we can and I’m sure he’d enjoy a buddy or two if anyone wants to tag along.
Please give what you can to support this wonderful husband, dad and papa on his charity bike ride in aid of Cancer Research.
Thank you,
Frank, Rita, Andrea, Matt and Teddy xxx
More information about Cancer Research UK: Cancer Research UK is the world's leading charity dedicated to research on the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer. Thanks to research, more people are surviving cancer than ever before.
As many of you may be aware my Dad, Frank was diagnosed with cancer in October 2018. Initially the doctors found a tumour in his thorax which led them to finding two more tumours, one in his right lung and one in his left kidney. Within a few weeks my dad had most of his lung removed. It was life changing for us as family. The leader of our clan was now the one who needed looking after, something that not one of us ever felt would happen. “Papa is invincible!”Whilst healing and preparing for his next operation, dad was taken back into hospital numerous times, having to call 999 and to be ready to give him CPR is something myself and mum will never forget. Eventually, he was diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation, this made his heart beat abnormally fast which in turn made his breathing even more difficult, even without the missing lung and huge amounts of healing. During this last stay in hospital, the doctors had yet another setback for him. They found that his diaphragm had been ruptured and had moved up into the empty lung space making breathing a huge task. He was told that they could possibly operate again to reattach it. His reply “sign me up, I’m in your hands!”
In February 2019, still recovering my dad was back in hospital to have his kidney removed. The site where this dreadful disease had started its horrendous journey. He recovered at home with my mum looking after the tricky patient. It felt like huge relief. The doctors were confident that they had removed all the cancer and dad could begin to get ‘some kind of normal’ life back again. Dad went back into hospital in April to have his diaphragm reattached, unfortunately it didn’t work and has made it generally harder for dad to breath. Dad took this in his stride and just wanted to be able to get back on his bike! Which he managed at the end of May with his little buddy, Ted in tow.
We had a number of months with only scans to worry about, normal life had almost returned. Ted and Papa were up to their usual shenanigans, bike rides, sleepovers, swimming or a sneaky trip to Maccie D’s. “shhh, don’t tell Mummy!”
In February 2020, dad went to see his doctor, who had bad news. The cancer was terminal, it had spread to his other lung and he had numerous tumours throughout it. He was offered dual treatment, which he decided not to take as it would have a huge effect on the quality of his life. As a family we agreed that if he felt he was managing, we would hold off from treatment for as long as we could. By August dad was asked by his doctor “when is enough cancer enough?”
Dad started treatment at the beginning of September. He is currently just over halfway through his first cycle which consist of daily treatment at home and a hospital admission once every two weeks. As always, dad is going at it with his military attitude, regardless of how awful the side effects are or how poorly he is feeling.
Dad has been inspired by Sir Captain Tom Moore and his family’s ‘100 challenge!’ Starting on April 30th, my wonderful dad is intending to cycle around Rutland water 100 times over the following weeks to raise as much money as possible for Cancer research, who without; along with the amazing medical teams we don’t believe dad would be with us today. Ted, Matt and I hope to join him as often as we can and I’m sure he’d enjoy a buddy or two if anyone wants to tag along.
Please give what you can to support this wonderful husband, dad and papa on his charity bike ride in aid of Cancer Research.
Thank you,
Frank, Rita, Andrea, Matt and Teddy xxx
Organizer
Andrea Chapman
Organizer
England
Cancer Research UK
Beneficiary