Reviewing the weeks since my last blog entry, the post-transplant terrain became trickier. Photopheresis for GVHD (Graft Versus Host Disease) and all the meds were continuing; however, I developed a DVT in my left calf, exacerbating the leg swelling already present due to steroids. A low blood count required several... Continue reading

19-Mar-19 Exactly 3 years to the day after running the first of all the NI parkruns for LLNI, and nearly 2 years after NHL relapse and my donor stem cell transplant in Dec 2017, the post-transplant measures keeping me alive are legion: Anti-rejection drug, anti-virals, anti-fungals, antibiotics and assorted other... Continue reading

Navigating the first year after donor stem cell transplant, it is helpful to set target milestones, always mindful of energy constraints & infection risk The challenging transplant process felt like tunnelling deep underground. Milestones helped me know that I was making progress through the tunnel, out the other side and have increasingly given life some direction in navigating the post-transplant terrain which brings its own significant challenges. Continue reading

Post-transplant, it was great to finally get home at the end of April after twenty weeks; twelve in St James’s Hospital Dublin, and a further eight weeks in Belfast City Hospital. In the initial five weeks since getting home, the direction of travel had been onwards and upwards, albeit slowly.... Continue reading

Today is Day 100 post transplant, a recognised milestone in donor stem cell transplant. Here in hospital, the doctors confirmed this morning that, using the tractor metaphor of a BT colleague, I am still 'between the hedges' ! This donor stem cell process was always going to be tough for... Continue reading

Today across the UK, after 9 weeks' training, BT people ran a parkrun as part of a Couch-to-5K programme and in support of Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI's research into blood cancer. Facebook photo album from Belfast's Victoria parkrun is at http://bit.ly/2i690Xp (no Facebook account required to view) Congratulations to all... Continue reading

(I visited BT colleagues on Friday before chemo in Belfast this coming week, recovery during November and then a donor stem cell transplant in St James’ Hospital, Dublin. Colleagues asked for access to my notes, and specifically various resources mentioned. My crib notes, fleshed out for this post, follow.) Health... Continue reading

This blog reproduces an interview in the January 2017 edition of The Methodist Newsletter with Anne Hailes. Anne blogs regularly on life, media & NI culture here. When I read Anne's piece before it went to press, it was a delightful surprise to discover that Anne actually knows the man... Continue reading

A milestone today for the #TimPageFitForLife project... BT colleagues presented the amount raised through 2016 - £3800 - to the LLNI team's Professor Ken Mills, Joanne Badger and LLNI's recently announced new Chairman Richard Buchanan. Then, the BFSEC organising committee kindly held a raffle this evening, raising a further £793... Continue reading

100 prospective stem cell donors. From the start, this was a #TimPageFitForLife life-saving project objective. We made solid progress in March, with 62 people registering as potential donors with DKMS UK via sign-up sessions, first, at the BT Belfast BFSEC Social Committee Bake Sale and, then second, at Victoria parkrun.... Continue reading

So, the day arrived - 24th September 2016. Driving to the 22nd of Northern Ireland's 22 current parkruns (several new venues are in the pipeline) it was great to have both of our sons along for the morning, the first time we'd all been together on a Saturday morning for... Continue reading

"In the future, we'll see a lot more of these re-purposed drugs coming into the clinic." ~ Dr. Kyle Matchett This final #TimPageFitForLife interview is with Kyle Matchett. Dr, Matchett's work as Research Fellow at the Centre for Cancer Research & Cell Biology at Queens University Belfast is funded by... Continue reading

"Without your support we couldn't do our valuable research." ~ Professor Ken Mills This fifth #TimPageFitForLife interview is with Ken Mills. Professor Mills is Chair of Experimental Haematology with the Centre for Cancer Research & Cell Biology at Queens University Belfast. The QUB research portal gives details of Professor Mills'... Continue reading

"We should be preparing our bodies for what life throws at you." ~ Mike McAuley This third #TimPageFitForLife interview is with Michael McAuley. Michael graduated from the University of Ulster in Sports Coaching. A creative and effective entrepreneur, he is Owner of EXSTO Fitness & Fitness Trainer at EXSTO Gym.... Continue reading

The second #TimPageFitForLife interview is with Laura Croan, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Lymphoma, based in Belfast City Hospital. Laura's post is funded by Friends of the Cancer Centre, doing great work - caring for patients, providing various resources for the Cancer Centre and also funding research. I received help from... Continue reading

In this, the first #TimPageFitForLife video interview, I interview Dr. Mary Drake, Consultant Haematologist at Belfast City Hospital. Dr. Drake explains the main types of blood cancer - leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma - and describes progress in treatment. Dr. Drake speaks of the sense of community in Northern Ireland, and... Continue reading

With only Stormont to go, Larne parkun may prove to be the day with the bluest sky - a glorious drive up from Holywood, and a great day for the first Larne 10k event. I will aim to do this next year. Chris McGonagle gets the prize for furthest-travelled supporter.... Continue reading

"My feet are light, my legs are strong, I can keep this pace all day long!" ~ Rosy Ryan At Waterworks - the 2nd of my 22 parkruns for Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI - I met Rosy Ryan. Waterworks is a great open course. The day we were there, though,... Continue reading

The forecast was 'heavy rain', so we headed to Ballymena as prepared as possible. It seems the Ecos Centre is undergoing some renovation, but the surrounding parkland is absolutely worth a visit. Ecos has a friendly set of volunteers, with a well-organised setting up in progress as we arrived -... Continue reading

We headed up to Derry on the Friday, staying in the friendly White Horse Hotel. It was a beautiful evening, so before a good meal in Fitzroys we walked the course. On Saturday, we arrived at the busy starting point at 9, with time for some more photos as well... Continue reading

I'm running all of Northern Ireland's 22 parkruns for a local charity. With 18 venues run - 4 to go - it is a terrific experience! Each course has its own characteristics; all have a powerful sense of achievement, community and encouraging support. My 6th run was Enniskillen parkrun at... Continue reading

Heading to Falls parkrun, it was raining at home and, from the car, grey clouds hid the Belfast Hills. But the weather turned out kinder than expected. Great to have supporters Dennis & Elaine Mercer along again. Sarah Williamson had offered to pace-set, including a few walk breaks. Thanks to... Continue reading

I had been anticipating Colin Glen as one of the more hilly courses on my tour of NI's parkruns. With injury behind me, my physio recommended a conservative approach to running - "don't over-extend your stride" - both up- and down-hill. Colin Glen will always be a memorable run -... Continue reading

Friends Linda and Derek Bell decided some months ago to have a coffee morning in support of LLNI in their home. Yesterday, after the Colin Glen run, Ruth and I headed home to be join the community of neighbours in our street, Beechlands Park, and family and friends. The craic... Continue reading

Beacons of Hope A special day today at Cookstown, the 16th #TimPageFitForLife parkrun; Ruth and I encountered some very special people today. Ailis Corey has faced treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. This included an 'allogenic' stem cell transplant. In December 2013, I had an autologous transplant - my own stem cells... Continue reading