19 days and counting...

Having bust my shoulder (again) on Saturday evening (and been seduced by the sun during the day) I did a total of NO training at the weekend, which really wasn't very clever!

I cycle at least 5 miles every day going to and from work, and did 10miles yesterday - going to see the lovely Richard McMinn - my chiropractor, who I wanted to kiss after he fixed my shoulder (meaning I got my first good night's sleep in ages!)

Found out that Meridian TV don't have space to cover the ride, which is a real shame, as I though it was a dead cert, but never mind - their loss...

Very sad to find out on the weekend that Tash won't be able to come on the ride with us :o( - she took medical advice having had lots of problems with her hip and we're all very sad to see her go. Jumping straight in to take her place is Mr Andy Marshall - who is probably fitter than the rest of us put together and also has 'the knowledge' in terms of what we're going to need to eat and drink to keep ourselves going!

As you may have gathered - we're not the sportiest bunch of people on the planet, oh no, not in any way - we are all however enthusiastic and optimistic and I am sure that will power and mutual encouragement will see us through. Realistically, it is our energy levels that will make it or break it - which means making sure that we're ingesting enough calories, regularly enough to keep us at our pedals.

Bex and Tash have done some research on this, and I've been doing some reading myself; as well as talking to professional sports people and there really is nothing to stop us as long as we're sensible! Hip hip Hooray!

On a different note - been reading several stories about cyclists in the local rag and on the BBC website - was very interested to hear that it is perfectly legal for cyclists to ride side by side (in twos that is - not taking up the whole road!). A cyclist recently got sent to prison for colliding with a pedestrian while cycling on a pavement, which also involved his driving licence being suspended - I knew that this was possible, but had never heard an instance of it.

I really hate it when other cyclists cycle irresponsably - I'm no angel...I've been known to skip the odd red light - although in fairness, not without having a thorough check first and I HAVE (shock horror) cycled down the pavement, although, again, not when there are lots of pedestrians about...I got stopped by a police officer for doing this once - I wish they'd patrol the cycle lanes and stop pedestrians wandering aimlessly in and out - it's dangerous for cyclist and pedestrian! If you really want to hear me rant about this - bring it up with me in person...

I should really get over my cycle-lane-rage before we start this trip!!

My Mum's Story

My Mum, Jane just sent me an email of encouragement - she is living proof of recovery from severe nerve damage!

For those who are sceptical of the treatment Oscar is undertaking at The Mind Clinic I would like to tell you a bit of my own story:

Four and a half years ago I had an accident in Spain; I tripped and fell onto the side of a trailer, dislocated and fractured my left shoulder, severely bruising my upper arm and in the process received a Brachial Plexus injury – this is nerve damage in the shoulder which caused me to completely lose the use of my left arm/hand, my wrist hung from the end of my arm with five swollen sausage like fingers at the end. The Brachial Plexus injury was not spotted whilst I was in Spain as after treatment for the dislocation my arm was put in a sling and was told to keep it there for some time. It was not until latter on I realised I could not move my fingers and went to the local A & E on my return to the UK 3 days later and was subsequently referred to see an orthopaedic surgeon.

In the meantime friends rallied round to help; I was taking a variety of homeopathic remedies – Arnica* – Symphytum* – Ruta Grav* - and Hypericum*, and started receiving regular massage and Reiki healing.

The orthopaedic registrar I initially saw was not very helpful/experienced and said I would have to wait months for tests and sent me away with no physiotherapy and not a lot of hope; however fortunately when I returned to A & E again a few days later (because I was so troubled about the state of my hand which was by now ‘clawing’) the consultant at A & E was so concerned about my hand/arm, and appalled at the treatment I had received he sent me back to see the consultant with a letter saying he must see me and not his registrar. On seeing the consultant I was immediately booked in for tests the following morning at Hurstwood Park Neurological Centre, referred to the Institute of Neurology, UCL National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery in London, and sent for physiotherapy and eventually hydrotherapy.

After having all sorts of tests to my nerves and muscles at Hurstwood Park and the Institute of Neurology the prognosis was not good, however about 6 months later, and a lot of hard work mentally and physically, I saw a small twitch in my thumb and very gradually over the last 4 years I have regained nearly full use of my arm, wrist and hand. I have had to think my arm and hand to work again by sending the right messages to encourage the crushed and damaged nerves to start regenerating. I exercised my hand constantly using my right hand to bend and turn my fingers, wrist and elbow.

It is most important to fully participate and take responsibility for your own recovery – no one else can really make you better! Consultants, therapists, homeopaths. Chiropractors etc. all have their place in aiding my recovery; but I believe unless you put the work in yourself and accept as true that you will get better it is unlikely you will recover to the best you of your ability. When my hydrotheraphist said she could no longer help me, I would have to do the rest ‘on land’, she also told me that when we first meet she thought my arm would not recover as the damage was so severe and that I would end up with a flail arm – she said ‘…your determination has made this happen..’

I still have a slightly wasted looking left hand, my fingers do not feel quite ‘normal’ and my touch is affected because the Ulnar nerve has not fully recovered though I can now use, move and bend my fingers almost normally and do the vast majority of things that I want to do. I still exercise my hand daily using a squeegee ball and grip master and attend Aqua Rehabilitation classes 1-3 times a week.

I have recently been discharged by my consultant at Institute of Neurology and told that I have made a ‘miraculous’ recovery; however the consultants and doctors I have spoken to give no credence to the alternative methods of treatment I have used alongside the conventional methods they have prescribed. I feel very strongly that the homeopathy, massage, other healing methods and my attitude of mind have greatly complimented the methods used in my treatment by the NHS. I do not think I would have made such excellent recovery by using conventional methods alone.

It greatly saddens me that most of the neurologists, orthopaedic surgeons and physiotherapists I have seen do not accept that using complimentary/alternative forms of healing has led in great part to my ‘miraculous’ recovery.

*Arnica – used for the treatment of bruising, swelling and shock

*Symthytum – amongst it’s common names: Knitbone and Boneset an excellent first aid remedy for broken bones

* Ruta Grav – also used for the treatment of bruising particularly to the covering of the bone (the periosteum)

*Hypericum – used mainly for treating nerve damage caused by injury and shock