Day 99 has been really weird from start to finish and seen 5 miles walked, a recognition, some blood, urine with a dog in good health, a celebration, 2.3 miles run, two seizures, a lizard and a trip to Stirling with a very clear message.
As soon as I woke this morning I knew something was up. Once up washed and dressed I sat at my desk and took my anti-seizure pills as usual but took them with a certain haste because I could feel a seizure building. Somebody had left the door open to the hive of bees in my head so they had escaped and were busying themselves under my skin on my head but as I sat at my desk waiting for the pills to close the door, the bees instead became more agitated. I was growing uncomfortable so set about preparing for a walk. This was the only way I was going to clear my head. Dog poo bags, lead, wooly hat, head torch, gloves. Route selected I was off to do the 3 mile long version of the Commonty walk. A good couple of climbs to get the body working so off I went. Success. It swept away the bees back in to the hive. I was back to normal. As I walked, sloshing through the rocky mud of the avenue of trees by head torch I tried to understand what might have caused it. Nothing. I made Poached sea bass for us all last night with a ginger, chilli, garlic, spring onion, lime juice, Coriander and Soy sauce marinade then coupled it with Basmati Rice cooked in Coconut Milk as well as steamed Asparagus, Bok Choi and sugar snap peas. It was delicious. The children loved it too and it should not be triggering a seizure on waking. I put it down to a misfire in the brain this morning. That was all. All that thought of food though made me hungry. Walk done it was time for breakfast, get the children fed and off to school then I had to call the vet.
Georgie, since I felt I ought to retire her, at 13 as she struggled more and more with hills and distances, has slowly declined. Although I still walk her twice a day she does spend significant proportions of the day on her own so isn’t getting the continual mental and physical stimulus she was used to. She seemed just a little quiet. A little stooped in her body language and was drinking more water than normal. Then to make matters worse she has become incontinent. She would lie on the floor then get up and skulk off head bowed, Tail between her legs and sure enough. There on the floor would be a wet patch. Poor Georgie. She wasn’t doing it on purpose but her body language showed how awful she felt each time. I had never had to deal with this before and could see the toll it was taking on Georgie so with a rather concerning mental image of Georgie waddling along with a nappy on I took her to the vet. I was there 2 hours as Alistair gave Georgie a very thorough examination ruling out nearly every possibility. Then it was time to take bloods to check her kidney and liver function. This was the biggest area of concern that I had and I wasn’t allowed to be with her to have her blood taken so she disappeared into what looked like the Theatre. Alistair must have found something serious. I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t help. Hold her. I was asked to take a seat and wait. I started to think through what I was going to tell the children if she didn’t come out of that room. I waited, waited and waited then out came Alistair with Georgie tail wagging and looking happy. Then the fun started. We needed a urine sample!! Somehow we needed to get Georgie to pee into a kidney bowl. Clearly Alistair had done this before and after a quick plan of action we went outside to catch a wee. Georgie will not do her business when on the lead. Something I trained into her when she was young because it meant that I could take her anywhere and where she couldn’t or shouldn’t do the loo all I had to do was put her lead on. However I had also trained her to do her business ahead of me as it made walking her so much easier when it comes to picking up after her. Recently, in her old age, she had become quite neurotic about it. Not a problem. Alistair knew of a particular plant pot that all the dogs like to scent. It was in a safe area so we could let her off and if I stand alongside but back from the plant pot she can have a sniff and keeping her eye on me stoop to do a pee while Alistair lurking behind her can whoosh in with the kidney bowl and catch it. A genius plan from an experienced vet. I don’t know who was more surprised. Me or Georgie but it worked a treat!! More waiting and while I waited a lady came in to the vets to book an appointment then as she turned to leave stopped and said hello David. I can’t remember the exact name she used but when I looked up and said hello she looked at me quizzically. ‘I am so sorry,’ she said. ‘I thought you were David Walton’ or whatever the name was ‘but you’re not, yet I know you, but I don’t know you.’ I introduced myself with a smile and suggested that she might recognise or have recognised my face from the Bridge Magazine article about the Beat the Beast Challenge. ‘Oh I’ve heard of that’ she said, but no, that isn’t it. It’s from somewhere else but I can’t place it.’ She appeared slightly shaken by her not being able to place me and wanting to go, almost run away, but I couldn’t let her go without a recommendation to pour a glass of wine or a mug of tea and watch a video! Then I am sure that she would understand. I hope that she does come to find me. Then Alistair called me back in for the results. It was amazing what they could tell. One or two of the readings were a little high but as expected for her age. She was well!! We moved to a more kidney sympathetic medicine for her joints and a set of pills for her incontinence. She was just fine. On the way home I thought that I would celebrate with a decaf mocha and a Malteser slice from the buttercup cafe. There was time before going for a run before nipping into Stirling to take my computer back in to computer division as it had started freezing again which made writing every post a real test of patience and endurance. I enjoyed the Mocha and Malteser slice immensely but feel that, as my neighbour Pat has so clearly warned me, that I am going to have to take chocolate off the menu. It is almost as if this disease is mocking me because of what happened next.
Mocha and Malteser slice demolished I took Georgie out for a short walk in the Ponds to ease the frustration for her that she can’t come for a run with me. She did her business and I had a good chat with Tony who I was so pleased to hear was well after a nasty virus. I was feeling good so went home and changed. It was lovely and warm for this time of year so t-shirt and shorts was the order of the day. Trainers on and off I went, warming up gently in to a run as I headed for the Wood of Doune. As I headed up the road a number of cars flashed their lights at me waving as they passed. It was again as if they recognised me although, as I stooped to peer in the windows as they passed, with one exception, I knew not who they were but I waved back and smiled too. It was great to feel supported like that. It used to happen very occasionally when a friend passed in the village but this morning in the vets and then this line of passing cars from wherever was most unusual. What had changed I wondered. I wasn’t naked. My laces were done up. I didn’t have the dog with me. I wasn’t wearing a chicken suit. Nothing behind me what was it? It was as if, like the lady in the vet, that they all thought I was somebody else! Very odd but on I went diving in to the wood of Doune.
I was warming up nicely as I hit the muddy tracks my rhythmic breathing leaving great trails of water vapour behind me like a steam train. I was enjoying myself, feeling comfortable. Then as I turned the corner I hit the trail if pine roots one has to navigate on the path. They were slippery so I was watching this ladder of roots very closely under my feet and as I did so I had a sudden and very strong déjà vu that clearly led to something nasty and sent shivers up my spine. Then as I tried to run on, my mouth and lips felt very dry, so I flicked my tongue out and round my mouth, round my lips, flick, flick , flick and then very quickly I started to feel these enormous scales of reptilian skin being plated to my back like plates of armour. More and more these scales fell onto my head and back bowing me down lower and lower under their enormous solid weight until I found myself scurrying like a lizard along this ladder of roots on all fours. I hit the turn for the slippery downhill to the river and found myself like a lizard on hot sand hands in the air for balance as I skittered down the slope knees spread wide apart with what felt like my tail whipping across behind me as I skittered towards the plank over the ditch. I heard my claws on the plank as I crossed and as I turned the corner started to get those awful pungent tastes and smells commensurate with a seizure. It was as if each time I flicked my reptilian tongue I could taste and smell my lizard self. I was astute enough to know that I was nearing the main road so slowed up the gentle slope. As I got to the road I was shaken but starting to feel more normal. As I stood waiting to cross though the traffic was slowing and staring at me as it passed. No waving. Just staring. Perhaps I hadn’t shaken off all of my lizard scales. It maybe that my tail hadn’t fallen off. I twisted to look for my tail behind me, first left then right but couldn’t see any sign of it. Traffic clear I crossed the road, turned up the hill then right along the river towards the castle then left up the hill towards the school then up bank street. Across the rickety wooden bridge over the draigon burn and then should have popped out on Bank street and out onto Balkerach Street close to the turning for home but somehow I seemed to Morph West two blocks and popped out on Graham Street heading up to Main Street some hundred metres or so further West than I should have been. I was completely flummoxed and slowed a while to try and gather my bearings. I could make no sense of what appeared to have just happened. There was no need for it to have happened and was physically impossible. I shook such a notion out of my head and jogged the final leg for home. My timing after turning into a Lizard, and somehow morphing through buildings to lengthen the route was still much slower than before. Milk chocolate was now firmly off the menu. This is no fun!!
Back home 3 over arm pull-ups, 14 press ups, 14 sit ups, some stretching, a shower, changed, veggie pick and mix bag made and I was off to catch the bus to Stirling.
Bus caught and computer handed in to Computer Division in Stirling with no dramas. A pleasant welcome from the shop owner Hazam but that was pretty much it. I grabbed a bite to supplement my veggie pick and mix bag then headed to catch the 1457 bus back home forgetting entirely that on school days that bus leaves at 1440. Silly me but then I think I missed that bus for a reason. I sat in the bus shelter and started to write today’s post on my phone while the events were fresh in my memory. Not that I was going to forget any if it!!
Later I went to wait for the 1557 and as I did so spotted an older lady using a shopping trolley as a stroller and looking a little lost. I asked if I could help her. She was the most delightful lady but was struggling to speak clearly with slightly disfigured lips. She was looking for the bus to Dollar. I found out that it was the No23 and went from my stop No 7. I showed her to a bench seat to wait and then sat next to her. She asked if I was a farmer because apparently I dressed like one. I presumed that it was because I had my warm tweed jacket on but also mud on my shoes from my short walk with Georgie after the vets but had to reply No but how much I respected the profession and had often thought about it myself. Then she asked what I did do but I struggled to understand her. She explained that she had had a stroke which had affected her mouth and her memory but was very animated and a delight to talk to. I told her about the challenge thinking it might provide some encouragement for her continued healing but then I received the message. ‘What is the disease you are fighting?’ She asked. ‘A brain tumour I replied’ and then she looked at me with sorrow in her eyes and said with a big sigh, ‘My brother had had a brain tumour but never made it. Didn’t last very long.’ My heart bled for her sadness and then as I started to realise what she had just told me she grabbed my arm, looked me in the eye with her misty eyes and exclaimed ‘but that was 40 years ago. A lot has changed. I know it’s not perfect yet but you must fight. Archie you must fight!! Never give up fighting’. Her bus arrived so I thanked her and assured her that I was fighting. As she boarded the bus I suddenly realised that she called me Archie. How did she know my name? I hadn’t even the opportunity to ask for hers. Then I remembered that I had handed her a flyer to tuck in her pocket when I first started to tell her about the challenge. She must have skim read it before tucking it away. Either way the message, delivered in such a passionate way was very clear.
Back home another dog walk. Only 2 miles this time around the cricket pitch and then an attempt to work out what happened on the run. How I morphed a few hundred metres in the blink of an eye. Nothing. A complete mystery.
Then back home a little more post writing before cooking Apple and Sausage burgers made with onion and sage served on seeded wholemeal rolls with cheese and spinach, rocket and watercress salad as a little treat for when they got home off the late bus from after school hockey. I hadn’t made them before but cooked in coconut oil they were delicious and went down a treat. Winner!!
A weird day that finished well. My banned substances list is growing. Lactose, Caffeine and milk chocolate but there is still loads of good stuff I can eat and that doesn’t include crickets. I am not a real lizard!!
But what I am about to have is my 100th challengeday. I wonder if I will get a telegram from the queen!
The challenge in numbers in total since the start:
Days completed: 99
Total Miles Cycled: 527
Total Miles Walked: 506.0
Total Miles Run: 27.9
Total Miles Paddled: 7
Total Distance Cycled, Skied, Ran and Rowed in the gym: 8.4
Total Distance Swum: 500 metres
Total Miles covered under own steam.1076.8
Total Height Gained under own steam: 31,645 feet
Mountains Climbed: 5
Hills Climbed: 17
Days of Voluntary Activity: 5.5
Organ tunes learnt and performed: 5
Salmon Caught: 0!
Curling Matches played in: 4
Curling stones placed on the button (the centre of the target): 1
Weight Training Sessions: 8
Aerobic Circuit Sessions: 4
Press Ups: 202
Pull Ups: 51
Sit Ups: 202
People Met and Hands Shaken: 339
Pots of tea shared: 22
Prayers joined on the top of a hill: 2
Prayers joined in the street!: 3
Prayers joined in a Train Station: 1
Pills popped: 436
And most important of all – Money Raised as at Day 96 – £5,802.77.
Considering I started this challenge 20 weeks ago very quietly with no target beyond a fiver, thanks to the brilliant advice from a friend of mine, I am absolutely thrilled and again thank you all. So far that is £60.44 for each and every day that I have managed to find the will and energy to do something worthwhile and my goodness it has been worth it for my peace of mind, for my healing and for the five wonderful charities you are supporting through your generosity. Long may it continue. May I also ask however that if you are not sponsoring me to please consider it for as much or as little as you can afford. My rate of revenue raising has slowed from £70.00 a day to £60.00 a day so please sponsor me and encourage your friends to as well.
Thank you all for your incredible comments and support. Please continue to spread the word.
If you see me around do please give a cheery hello and shake my hand or toot your horn and give a cheery wave to show your support and encourage me on.
Thank you for joining me on my own personal journey and encouraging me to walk, cycle, climb, paddle, sport and do good deeds each day to ‘Beat the Beast’ while helping to improve the lives and life chances of so many more people through sponsorship. The Five Charities that I have selected to support are:
- Cancer Research UK – My Father Succumbed to Lung Cancer; a couple of friends are currently fighting cancer and I am fighting a brain tumour. Let’s Help to Beat Cancer Sooner.
- The Prince’s Trust – Inspiring and preparing disadvantaged Young Lives for success.
- British Red Cross – helping those in need around the UK and the world whoever and wherever they are.
- World Wide Fund for Nature – For a Living Planet and a Future Where People and Nature Thrive.
- Help for Heroes – Support for our Wounded and their Families.
To learn more about my story that brought me to this point, how I plan to ‘Beat the Beast’, what activities I plan to do within the challenge and why, please see my message on this page.
How to Sponsor Me
The Beat the Beast Challenge is self funding through my own contribution while keeping costs to a minimum with voluntary support and corporate sponsorship in kind. Therefore the entirety of every penny donated will go directly to the 5 charities listed above.
Please sponsor me by completing a standing order form either through your own personal internet banking or by completing a hard copy standing order form in your branch of your bank and then handing it in to the teller.
While I hope you will encourage me to keep going by sponsoring me for every day I survive and am able to find the cognitive and physical capability to complete a day’s task designed to improve my chances of ‘Beating the Beast’ or improving the lives of others, 5 days a week, four weeks a month, for as long as ever I can any One off Cash contributions will be most gratefully received and distributed in exactly the same manner to the five charities as the sponsorship.
Thank you for having enough faith in me to sponsor me.
Yours aye
Archie