I just want to thank you.

Tags

bank, cancer, cells, chemotheropy, holiday, hope, LEP, stem, stories, transplant

Oh yes for sure, I am fully aware that I am not perfect. That the man that is Fonz is imperfect and has flaws. Never the less you have read my blogs, maybe even you have found them helpful. Maybe you have shared them. What ever you have done, you have helped me and spurred me on to carry on with my 365 blogs in 365 days. 

Here are the actual number of posts so far via a screen shot

A massive task that maybe even I thought was not possible. Yet here we are 375 days on. Over 700 of you now follow me, many of you have commented and shown me commitment in reading what my murmurings have been. I want to thank each and everyone of you for your part in encouraging me to carry on. 

Here is the post and the names I put up back then.

Thought I would put up some thank yous  

Firstly to my wife Andie Blackwell for being my rock and constant source of strength.

Debbie Beardsworth for the DVDs you sent.

Janette McCreery Reynolds for the listening books all the way from the usa

Becca Parkes for the gifts you sent to my wife. ( sadly passed )

Tea Veenstra and Saskia Woudstra for the card from Holland

 Karl Boardman s children Rhys and Kyle for my good wishes card and also to Karl for looking after my house and car whilst I have been here.

Lisa Wood Daryll and Ian for your good wishes via mail.

Anne-Marie Balfour Eric and children Elsie and Rhona for your lovely presents.

Faith my dog for letting grandma do your faith diaries. 

Ken Blackwell for looking after Faith with my mum.

Jeremy Blackwell for lending me those uplifting books.

Kim Blackwell for supporting my wife often, and talking to her when driving home from hospital to keep her awake.

Zac Blackwell my nephew for lending me my PS3 games.

Joshua Winn for fundraising and your relentlace support. 

Mandy Shanks for your continued support in prayer.

Alison Wilson Johnny Wilson and Molly and boys for your constant support and love at this time for us both.

Beverley Winn for your messages of support.

Carmella Hollington Vale for your continued support.

 Cath Parker and John Chapman for your support and love for us both in this.

Chris Dale,and Lisa Dale ben jack and Alfie for your fun and laughter at times of need. And the picture you put on CS and the special video you made.
Dan Vernon and Helen vernon Rueben and Ethan.

Daniel Alexander Clyburn for being there constantly.

Dave Hollington for your encouragement.

My friend Deanna Harwood Perich who skype do and encouraged us many times during the rough rough moments.

Eileen Salmon for your funny messages daily that have kept my spirits up. ( sadly passed ) 

Ian Ian John Fisher for reminding me of good times we had along with Marie Anna Emily and Ava.

Jan benbow for supporting my wife.

Kirsty Redford for being there for me always and comforting me.

Lakshmi Sharma

Lilian Candy and Pete.

Mags Whitehouse for being there in the small hours to encourage me.

Mel braban for instigigating fund raising event in North Wales

Michelle and Calum for messaging ur sister.

Natalie Burney and MITCH and family for being there even though facing very tough times.

Paul Benson and Jane for your constant love and concideration.

Pauline Phil Lloyd for your encouragement and updates as to your own story here.

Ron Blackwell and Rosalie Blackwell for your constant support.

Sue Winstanley

Alexandra Villemaire in Canada for your reassurance and love.

Thank you to Amanda parfitt

Angela Jack for encouraging me and Andie

Anne Marie slater

Bernadette major

Beth obrien

Bullet tooth tony

Carleene waddicar

Carole Ann Richards you have been a tower of strength

Chantelle Bolton and girls for cheering me up.

Cherlyn Mcsharry and mike and family

Chris Calvert for all your distractions

Chris Oneil and Rachel Robinson

Colin Colin Browne Debbie Browne ur always there.

Colltte mchugh

Dani Makovecz

Daz Manley your a great encouragement

Debbie Debbie Sumner your amazing and I thank you

Dee Taylor

Denise fortune

Diane boocock

Doris livesey

Dorothy Bailey

Eileen Almond my dear friend

Ellen Leigh for your love and sharing your story

Elliott Summerfield

Emily waddicar

Gail Hardman for all your messages and support from you and your boys

Gareth Cartwright rhiannon and family I know this has been tough for you.

Gillian wells you have been here from the start.

Hitesh Ghedia you know.

Ian greenwood for keeping an eye on things

James Clinton Smith for daily encouragement, relentlessly 

James D Peace-Mankiewicz we will have lunch 1 day friend. ( sadly passed )

Janine Taylor and Paul Taylor and family for all your support

Jason Julie Kenningley Mark Kenningley Luke Kenningley and family’s 

Jean ‘Mili’ Thraves you have been a great addition to the group.

Jean Anderson your journey and Billy’s has inspired me.

Jean alty

Jenny hopwood

Jo Jo Paxton

Joel

John Almond you have been a great source of strength

Judith broad bentm

Judith Taylor inspitational person.

Julia Prince x

Julia Wadsworth here for me even though she is having a hard time.

Julie Watson

Julie wood welcome

Karen Charteris

Kathleen Hyams a star

Kayla green

Kieth McIntosh 

Kelly Baxter

Kelly rushton

Klara burton

Les smalley

Linda smalley

Liz peters my dear friend and family

Lorraine Haslett u know.

Louise Hyams

Lyndy

Malaya Arnold

Mandy shanks

Margret Margaret Park xx

Prestwich pharmacy

Marie ash worth

Marius Hantig Adriana my special friends xx

Matanda

Matthew Cross

Michelle hodgeon

Rita hodgeon sadly passed but told her story to us.

Mj Sherman

Nichola kenny a special person
Nicola fortune

Patsy wileman

Pauline birkbeck

Peter bones Wilson a life long friend

Sammie Roberts 

Sanjay Ghedia

Shandee Cabral

Sharron mccrery

Sharron Perry

Shaun Ferguson

Shelley Elizabeth

Simon Naylor Kay and family, becoming true friends.

Sue Daniels

Susan robinson

Tajreen mowla

Tim button

Tin foil tie wrap

Towhida Rahman

Tracey Ann Essex, thanks for your continued support on the benidorm seriously group.

Trisha Houghton

Veronica Bailey

Wendy and rob Cartwright, for your love and friendship over the past 23 years

Wendy case Edwards another fighter in Australia.

Youandi Woudstra an amazing person, and outlook.

These are people that supported us while we were in hospital.

There are many more people in our lives now that we’re not bk then. But I wanted to revisit that post, the people that were there back then. The differance you make in people’s lives. I want to encourage you to say the encouraging words you need to say. Because with out you someone may not get the words they need that day. What you say and do can and will make so much of a differance. All you have to do is agree to do it yourself.
Don’t not encourage the person you are compelled to do today, today will be the past tomorrow. But it will also be a new today and a new start and chance to help someone. 

But Will you?

Thanks to all of you that have been there for us, the new friends we have made since this article was written. Thank you.

Fonz

http://www.fonzandcancer.com

Follow me on Twitter

@fonzmark

Email – fonzicloud@icloud.com

Our support group on our FB

Cancer stories (people helping people through experience) 

It’s a group where people’s experiences are used to encourage others. 

Everything you read are based on my own experience and my own opinions. I express them here to encourage you. Please share with others, if it meant something to you it will to someone else. All images are from a Google search. Or my own.

Copyright © 2016

Upper class.

Tags

cancer, Cancerstories, holiday, hope, Richard, upper class, Virgin

Upper class. 
So what’s this all about, seems when you travel on Virgin you can choose which class you want to travel in. Economy, premium economy, or upper class. I was watching all the people going to the upper class desk, I wondered why they were going to be in upper class. They seemed no different to me or my wife, so what was it? Did they pay to go there, my wife said it costs an arm and a leg to get on upper class. No way I was doing that, but I can’t stand it not having the best. Which upper class obviously is, the very best.

  
As we discussed it seemed it was actually the UPPER deck of the plane. Normal some might say. But not me, although I knew there were planes with an upper deck it was amazing to see people going up the stairs to their seat or (BED) wow a bed in the sky how cool is that really. A 10 hour flight on a bed, just sounds expensive to me, I guess a real treat to. I guess that would have been ace to have gotten a bed esp as we were not only celebrating beating cancer twice, but also our 5th wedding anniversary that we would be celebrating also. But I was not about to get a mortgage out to do that. Economy is not that bad. You have your legs out in front of you crossed. Shoes off, a TV with lots of films to watch. Games should you wish and the staff are very friendly.

  
It’s funny though how all the stewardesses made us both feel like we were in upper class, it was like every passenger was to them special. I for one felt special and I know others around me did to. So I didn’t need to pay the princely sum to go in Upper class. We were made to feel that by the girls and steward that served us. One of the girls even shared with me her experience of cancer, which made me feel an overwhelming feeling of compassion towards her, you just don’t know who your audience is do you. But guys if you read this, thank you for making our Virgin experience so special. 

  
This plane is like a hotel in the sky, no doubt. Flying scares me, it scares me more because you have no control. I enliken it to isolation, where I had no control at all, I also had to imagine I was in a different place to get through it at times. Even able to smell the salt of the sea as the waves came crashing down. We are amazing people, (if we want to be) 

  
I remember the smell of bacon, sea, and sausages on the beach at 5 am with my mum and dad. That’s not upper class but it’s a great memory, I am not to sure why the passengers pay so much to be seen as upper class however. One thing is for sure no matter how high the plane goes they are always a little higher. So maybe not so much upper class as higher up. But one thing is for sure upper class must be a pleasant way to travel. Apparently you don’t need to que at the carousel either.
It did not matter how much they paid, we were made to feel great. For that I have to say. Thanks Virgin, and Richard Branson for making it happen.
All the best
Mark n Andie 
http://www.fonzandcancer.com
Follow me on Twitter
@fonzmark
Everything you read are based on my own experience and my own opinions. I express them here to encourage you. Please share with others, if it meant something to you it will to someone else.

Day 3 without Fonz

Tags

cancer, carful, flood, heavy, holiday, monsoon, rain, thankful, transplant

sometimes you have to wonder why some things happen, that Maybe you are being looked after from on high. 3 days ago I was on holiday with my friends enjoying the sun and laughter. Now I knew I was like a baby with hardly any defence when I went, it was kinda obvious looking back that I would get unwell. On day 2 I could feel myself feeling bad and just knew I had to go. I booked myself on a flight and went home arriving at Manchester at 1.30am Monday morning. What was to happen next was the type of thing you see in movies not to your every day person.
  
Firstly let me explain, when you have a bone marrow transplant like I did 124 days ago. Your body is stripped of everything in your defence system. It needs to build up an immune system like a baby has to when it’s born. You make sure your hands are washed and sanatized, eat fruit and have a balanced diet. Everything you do has to be clean. Obviously getting on a plane puts you at risk with all those peoples air mixing together like a cocktail. At the end of 24 hrs I was starting to feel unwell which scared me, I had a pain in my chest and knew I needed to be near my doctor. That’s why I came home.

  
The first day I was not there was just normal, the boys taking the mick etc is only to be expected. But day two effectively day 4 of the holiday was to change dramatically. It rained and rained only just stopped in the last few hours, although more rain is forecast. They are making the best of it I do know that, but the hotel food hall was swamped. The sand was being dragged off the beach into the sea such was the power of the water. The man hole covers were being lifted, and I don’t need to tell you what would have been in that water as it was coming up out of the drains. 

  
For me being there in those conditions was a Nono, amazing don’t you think that I went home. Amazing that I could and did. I have a cold which is on my chest a little but that’s all. I am so Thankful that I am not there now and quite obviously have someone looking after me more powerful than I. I pray that you will look after my friends and bring them home safe. Those lads will have a great time together and I know they will make the best of it. We all get disappointments in life, but on this occasion my disappointment is actually a blessing in disguise. 

  
The sun is shining here at home and I am happy to be home, I am obviously concerned for my friends and can’t wait to see them home safe and sound. I am at present in bed unwell eating lots of fruit, paracetamol as required and plenty of water. It’s even sunny here, I will be happier though when the pictures they are posting become sunny pictures. I guess they will have to get a pool side sun lounger though. 

  
I hope your having a good day, and that there are no beach swamps where you are.

Mark

http://www.fonzandcancer.com
Follow me on Twitter
@fonzmark
Everything you read are based on my own experience and my own opinions. I express them here to encourage you. Please share with others, if it meant something to you it will to someone else.

PSG and ME.

Tags

belief, holiday, hope, love, memories, moments, motivation, thoughtfully, your

Morning, I am just remembering a holiday we went on, it was a holiday in Morocco staying at a hotel called “the mazagan” I would say it’s one of the nicest hotels on the planet, with a 7 mile beach, beds on the beach they called ( a little house ) the food amazing, service was exsqusit, and the class of people was one I did not recognise. Never had I or my family growing up seen anything of this kind.. It was a huge treat as my wife had wanted to go somewhere else. But found this place on offer.

  
The hotel was amazing, with an F1 style go-kart track archery, and a football training pitch for PSG  non of all that mattered to me all I wanted was for my wife to relax. For her to completely forget reality. She used a hammock, whilst I watched the F1 British Grand Prix, she was sent water and mohitos. Me and my wife are great together we allow each other to be who we are. Nothing fake, just us. Being who we are, rather than trying to please. It’s better to be real I think.

  
There was food there from all over the world, including a sushi bar. The standard of food was great, nothing to complain about at all.. One night we had been watching a World Cup football match in the main bar by the casino. There were a few guys in football tops there who I ended up, chatting to in broken English. We were in the bar for a while till 1 am my wife had since gone to bed a hour prior. I made jokes, and generally did silly stuff for fun with them. The lads either late teens or early twenties were in stitches laughing. I had no idea why. It was not till some time later, like a couple of weeks ago. That I realised who PSG were. I didn’t think they were anyone special, just people that communicated laughter with. I am not a big football fan at all, but don’t mind watching  a good game. Although many other sports would get a look in first. Basically anything with an engine.

  
 We saw them again the next day, as they walked past on the way to the training pitch. I was calling out and waving and they were waving and smiling back. It’s amazing though that they just treated me normally. I think that they were all very surprised that I did not want anything from them. For me the reality of being kind to people is what I love. Maybe if had known (which my wife did) I would have made an effort to get an autograph or two. 

  
So what’s the point in today’s blog, well today was just about remembering because I can. Because I am alive, a survivor of cancer and a winner in life where the odds were stacked heavily against me. Be the best you there is, because what’s the point in second best.

  
Have a great day

Mark

http://www.fonzandcancer.com
Follow me on Twitter
@fonzmark
Everything you read are based on my own experience and my own opinions. I express them here to encourage you. Please share with others, if it meant something to you it will to someone else.

Create memories.

Tags

belief, create, faith, family, friendship, fun, fun in the sun, gift, happiness, holiday, hope, life, lovel life, memories, memory, precious gift, sun, travel

Good morning. How are you today? Today is a great day, it’s Thursday but it’s also an opportunity to choose to step outside of your comfort zone. Every day we live is an opportunity to challenge ourselves, to become more equipped humans. To be more knowledgeable, to share love with people you may never have. To learn more skills that you may never have learnt before. It’s up to us to be excited about the future, or to just let it drift past without us even noticing. I hear so many times, well it’s because.

  
 It’s really gets on my nerves how people would rather make an excuse as opposed to taking action. I mean take my brother for instance, he just does it. No excuse not to, just reasons to do. We should all take something from that. DO IT as opposed to reasons not to do it.

  
We have to choose to do or not to do everyday, your future is in your hands no one else has control of it. You were given a life to live. A world to live on, make the most of it enjoy every morning. It’s so nice out there when the sun shines, although clouded by pain in my life. It’s to be appreciated, loved and enjoyed. If you have a sweet tooth, then cake to your mouth is like a wonderful view on a summers day to your eyes.

  
I know stepping outside of your comfort zone is hard, to do something that you have never done before. But it feels so good that you have stepped out and created that memory, memories stay with you. They stay for a long time, and you can keep enjoying them time after time. If however you have not created the memory you think of, you will only ever imagine what it’s like. 

  
Don’t imagine, remember.

Mark

Picc line Removed.

Tags

aim, belief, bone marrow, breast, cancer, cars, chemo, chemotheropy, cure, desire, determination, doctor, facebook, family, fonz, football, games, given, goal, GOD, grateful, happy, healed, holiday, hospital, lost, love, mobility, motivation, nurse, painful, prayer, real, reality, rescued, sales, skin, strength, taken, tennis, transplant, treatment, ward, world

chemotheropy with a picc line is a great way to have it administered. It’s a small tube placed in your arm into a vien going to a main archery near your heart. Mine was 35 cm long. I had mine fitted in January to have my ICE chemo. It’s a real pain having it as it protrudes from your body and it’s uncomfortable sometimes. That line became my friend, because with it in there are no more injections to take your blood. 

Well today was the day I had to say goodbye to that friend, but it also signified that I would not be having treatment at southport anymore. It was a little emotional saying Thankyou to all my day care nurses at southport oncology. But somehow a relief that we had completed the journey with no hick ups. This will take me to a small space in royal Liverpool hospital for 4 weeks where I will have to have my transplant. I can see light at the end of the tunnel now. That day I dream of is coming nearer.

You can find details of my journey on 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1595998743956536/
A 7 year fight all because of a lump. Still I stand, time to dig in once again next week and see off this Cancer once and for all.. 

 

Fonz

http://www.fonzandcancer.com

Follow me on Twitter

@fonzmark

Email – fonzicloud@icloud.com

Our support group on our FB

Cancer stories (people helping people through experience) 

It’s a group where people’s experiences are used to encourage others. 

Everything you read are based on my own experience and my own opinions. I express them here to encourage you. Please share with others, if it meant something to you it will to someone else. All images are from a Google search. Or my own.

Copyright © 2016