What's wrong with me?!
Discussion
Easternlight said:
Just a quick question Ross, How come the condition of your vocal chords affect your running but not cycling?
I would have thought they were equally strenuous excercise.
Good question. There are a couple of reasons.... The first being that where cycling is a little less strenuous than running on the breathing system and where my heart and lungs are strong cycling almost always tires my legs more than the breathing.... So I'm never really breathing as heavily cycling as running. I would have thought they were equally strenuous excercise.
Secondly, they suspect that the whole-body up and down movements in running is playing a role causing some minor reflux into my oesophagus (because the nerves supplying the bits preventing that aren't working very well) and that will be contributing to the problem as well....apparently this movement will also change how things work in my throat more now those never aren't working.
It can affect me when cycling but I REALLY have to be going for it for it to make a difference.
I'm not 100% clear why, but it would appear it's quite complicated as to why.
Anyway..... 57 miles on the bike today over a purposefully hilly route. As a rolling week that's 201 miles.....! Time for some recovery soon! Though that figure will drop as I did 62 miles last Saturday and tomorrow will only be around 20.
Thanks for that Ross. Doesn't sound like your going to have too much trouble in July going by the miles you're doing!
I thought I was doing well having done 260 this month! 15 miles round trip to work, mind you I have got nearly 30 years on you
(That my excuse and I'm sticking to it)
We won't mention the brain surgery !!!
I thought I was doing well having done 260 this month! 15 miles round trip to work, mind you I have got nearly 30 years on you
(That my excuse and I'm sticking to it)
We won't mention the brain surgery !!!
E65Ross said:
But hey.... In really enjoying being out on the bike a lot and I'm so grateful and glad I can do that! Work is going well, and things are SO much more rosy and peachy than 6 months ago!
Aren't they just!My apologies for being blunt mate but I'd genuinely struggle to think of anyone I've ever met with your fortitude.
I'm going to be away when you do your bike ride, what's the app I need to follow it?
br d said:
E65Ross said:
But hey.... In really enjoying being out on the bike a lot and I'm so grateful and glad I can do that! Work is going well, and things are SO much more rosy and peachy than 6 months ago!
Aren't they just!My apologies for being blunt mate but I'd genuinely struggle to think of anyone I've ever met with your fortitude.
I'm going to be away when you do your bike ride, what's the app I need to follow it?
I'm not entirely sure how the life tracking works so it will be hit and miss! Basically I have to link my Garmin GPS computer to my phone, it sends the signal to the phone which uploads it online as it's happening. I need an email address for those interested in tracking live. How well this will work I'm not sure, as a lot of the ride will be in places with poor signal (so the phone will struggle to upload online). Either way, I'll definitely be able to upload the whole ride once completed and back home....along with a few pics etc.
For those who are interested in the live track, send me a PM with your email address and I'll try my best to get this set up. This is something that can only be done on the day....so it will be hit and miss whether I can get it working but I shall try!
Thanks chaps
£6k is done...£5980 on the just giving page and I know there's more than £20 in the tin at work
) awesome!!£86.10 in the collection tin at work just added that to the total. Just posted another update to my just giving page, so some of you will be getting an email I'm sure.
Once again, I cannot get over the amount. Absolutely smitten!!
I got a letter from Southampton General today and thought "uh oh....what now!" but it was a letter from Vas asking me to fill out a questionnaire about him....was he polite, did he explain things well etc etc and gave him top marks....also wrote out about 1/3-1/2 a page explaining how I'm getting on and a big thank you to him and, obviously, Mr Grundy as well.
I can't thank you all enough chaps. I've said it many times before but this thread has been a remarkable "place". I've met a couple of amazing people on here through it, and you've all provided me with the support I needed through my not-so-good period and helped pull me through. And you've all pulled together in helping me raise a quite frankly absurd amount of cash for an extremely grateful charity
You are all fantastic and have made me very happy
just added that to the total. Just posted another update to my just giving page, so some of you will be getting an email I'm sure.Once again, I cannot get over the amount. Absolutely smitten!!
I got a letter from Southampton General today and thought "uh oh....what now!" but it was a letter from Vas asking me to fill out a questionnaire about him....was he polite, did he explain things well etc etc and gave him top marks....also wrote out about 1/3-1/2 a page explaining how I'm getting on and a big thank you to him and, obviously, Mr Grundy as well.
I can't thank you all enough chaps. I've said it many times before but this thread has been a remarkable "place". I've met a couple of amazing people on here through it, and you've all provided me with the support I needed through my not-so-good period and helped pull me through. And you've all pulled together in helping me raise a quite frankly absurd amount of cash for an extremely grateful charity
You are all fantastic and have made me very happy
rovermorris999 said:
All we've done (apart from the generous chap with the nice car, whatever it was) is a few words and throw a few quid your way. You are the one with the balls and I doff my hat to you. I hope I have your attitude if anything happens to me.
Well.... It means a lot more toe than just a few quid and a fee words, is all I can say really Both Geoff and br d have donated large amounts of money and came to visit me.... Both with McLarens
days I won't ever forget! You've all helped me raise that amount of money, no matter what the sum is. It's not just the figure that gets put down.... It's the fact that some donation is a sign of your support. That's what has been so fantastic! I will be seeing Geoff again next week, actually, and hopefully will see brand d again before summer is over of I'm fortunate enough!
Cheers
Edited by E65Ross on Monday 29th June 22:39
TheAngryDog said:
Hey Ross, glad to learn you're still on the up.
Added some money to the donation, they'll be signing up for life at this rate
Many thanks! I look forward to telling people that it's a neighbours loud dog that has donated when they ask who the he'll is the angry dog? Added some money to the donation, they'll be signing up for life at this rate
Had another speech and language therapy appointment today, but it was more speech/tongue stuff rather than vocal cord stuff.
Appointment was around 50-60mins and was just having a chat and going through various exercises. Quite a young woman doing it, was surprised to have such a young patient as she said most of her cases are stroke victims and thus older.
She seemed happy in the sense I can be easily understood (as I think Geoff will attest to after our chat yesterday!) but just struggle with certain pronunciations etc.
I have another hospital appointment with her in 2 weeks time. Then 27th July for my eyes. Going to beg and plead and see if they can speed up the driving thing.
In other news..... Cycling.... My legs are beat. I was absolutely broken today cycling in and I've seemingly timed it perfectly to have a recovery week.... Bike is now in for a full service and getting plenty of new components so won't get that back until Friday, cycle home gently 20 miles.... I'm away visiting my brother in London the weekend so no cycling there so just another gentle 20 miles Monday and perhaps Wednesday as well before getting back to hard work for another few weeks before having probably 2 days off before "the big day"
Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine as much as possible!
Ross
Appointment was around 50-60mins and was just having a chat and going through various exercises. Quite a young woman doing it, was surprised to have such a young patient as she said most of her cases are stroke victims and thus older.
She seemed happy in the sense I can be easily understood (as I think Geoff will attest to after our chat yesterday!) but just struggle with certain pronunciations etc.
I have another hospital appointment with her in 2 weeks time. Then 27th July for my eyes. Going to beg and plead and see if they can speed up the driving thing.
In other news..... Cycling.... My legs are beat. I was absolutely broken today cycling in and I've seemingly timed it perfectly to have a recovery week.... Bike is now in for a full service and getting plenty of new components so won't get that back until Friday, cycle home gently 20 miles.... I'm away visiting my brother in London the weekend so no cycling there so just another gentle 20 miles Monday and perhaps Wednesday as well before getting back to hard work for another few weeks before having probably 2 days off before "the big day"
Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine as much as possible!
Ross
I am seeing Ross next week so will report back to everyone on how he is REALLY doing. What I will tell you is Ross has so much strength and determination frankly it amazes me. What he has achieved in months takes some people years and that is what a lot of you guys don't understand. Ross had major surgery and he isn't out the woods yet by a long way.
So with the bike ride coming up I would ask you....find the link on this thread to his JUSTGIVING page...and PLEASE donate even a Fiver....he has got a F*****G long bike ride and needs our support.
So with the bike ride coming up I would ask you....find the link on this thread to his JUSTGIVING page...and PLEASE donate even a Fiver....he has got a F*****G long bike ride and needs our support.
[quote=E65Ross]
I've just set up a page on just giving and my chosen charity is one that Mr Grundy has worked with, brain tumour support.
The event I have chosen is a South Downs bike ride of 72 miles called the Mega Meon.
https://www.justgiving.com/Ross-Fripp
I've just set up a page on just giving and my chosen charity is one that Mr Grundy has worked with, brain tumour support.
The event I have chosen is a South Downs bike ride of 72 miles called the Mega Meon.
https://www.justgiving.com/Ross-Fripp
Thank you Geoff! It will be a fantastic day out, I can't wait!
Something amazing has happened..... I thought "what have I got to lose?" and added one of my surgeons on Facebook and sent him a message saying thanks again, explained how well I'm doing, that I hope he is also well etc etc and got 2 messages back late last night. I was really touched by this..... I just found it incredible!
Hi Ross, it is an absolute great pleasure hearing from you. We were all delighted when we had the report of your scan. This is a great result. It has been a privilege for us looking after you and you did well because you are so brave and you also have great parents who stood on your side when things were tough. You all did so well! I would not worry so much about the vocal cord. Time is on your side. I was told that several patients have sent their completed questionnaires. I have not seen yours yet, but you usually spoil us with your generous comments. But seriously feedback from patients like you is very important. You had a massive operation you went through a tough period and you made it to recovery . We are determined to improve on everything we do, so we do need to learn from our patients and this is why feedback is so important for us.
On another note.... We were invited with Paul to write a chapter for a famous neurosurgical book...The Oxford Textbook of Neurosurgery. The chapter we were asked to write is on intraventricular tumours. If we had your consent we would be interested adding scans (preoperative and postoperative scans) on this chapter. There will be nothing on these pictures to identify you. We take confidentiality very seriously. The usual dilemma with these tumours is (as you experienced recently), whether to take the tumour out completely and risk to have temporary (most of the times) deficit, or leave residual tumour behind (patient goes home the next day but the tumour will grow back). The wise strategy , especially for young people like you, is to take the tumour out. Is a difficult call that one needs to make while the operation is taking place. Your case is therefore a great example. If you are happy to contribute to our little chapter, please let me know and I will send you the relevant consent form. BUT please do not feel you have to say yes on this. If you say NO, you do not have to explain why and nobody will be disappointed. We all thing very highly of you anyway. Sorry for the late answer to your message, I am not good with facebook, and I live most of my life in an operating theatre. Please pass on my warm regards to your great parents. If you come to the hospital for any reason, please pass by for quick chat. It was great catching up. With best wishes. Vas
Something amazing has happened..... I thought "what have I got to lose?" and added one of my surgeons on Facebook and sent him a message saying thanks again, explained how well I'm doing, that I hope he is also well etc etc and got 2 messages back late last night. I was really touched by this..... I just found it incredible!
Hi Ross, it is an absolute great pleasure hearing from you. We were all delighted when we had the report of your scan. This is a great result. It has been a privilege for us looking after you and you did well because you are so brave and you also have great parents who stood on your side when things were tough. You all did so well! I would not worry so much about the vocal cord. Time is on your side. I was told that several patients have sent their completed questionnaires. I have not seen yours yet, but you usually spoil us with your generous comments
. But seriously feedback from patients like you is very important. You had a massive operation you went through a tough period and you made it to recovery . We are determined to improve on everything we do, so we do need to learn from our patients and this is why feedback is so important for us.On another note.... We were invited with Paul to write a chapter for a famous neurosurgical book...The Oxford Textbook of Neurosurgery. The chapter we were asked to write is on intraventricular tumours. If we had your consent we would be interested adding scans (preoperative and postoperative scans) on this chapter. There will be nothing on these pictures to identify you. We take confidentiality very seriously. The usual dilemma with these tumours is (as you experienced recently), whether to take the tumour out completely and risk to have temporary (most of the times) deficit, or leave residual tumour behind (patient goes home the next day but the tumour will grow back). The wise strategy , especially for young people like you, is to take the tumour out. Is a difficult call that one needs to make while the operation is taking place. Your case is therefore a great example. If you are happy to contribute to our little chapter, please let me know and I will send you the relevant consent form. BUT please do not feel you have to say yes on this. If you say NO, you do not have to explain why and nobody will be disappointed. We all thing very highly of you anyway. Sorry for the late answer to your message, I am not good with facebook, and I live most of my life in an operating theatre
. Please pass on my warm regards to your great parents. If you come to the hospital for any reason, please pass by for quick chat. It was great catching up. With best wishes. VasWhere I was told yesterday to come back for another hospital appointment Wednesday 15th I've had to get a receptionist at work to reschedule some appointments. Apparently 1 patient kicked up a right fuss and said that it was the 2nd time they'd been rescheduled and it's not acceptable.
I must refrain from calling them, putting on my sarcastic voice and apologising profusely for having a brain tumour removed which has led to me requiring further care, on account that it means that they must have their back treated on a different day than was originally scheduled
I must refrain from calling them, putting on my sarcastic voice and apologising profusely for having a brain tumour removed which has led to me requiring further care, on account that it means that they must have their back treated on a different day than was originally scheduled
Tyre Tread said:
I'm sure next time you treat them their condition will require some additional (ahem) "realignment".
How dare you have time off to receive medical treatment. Just plain selfish.
We're all still in total admiration of your positive attitude and sheer determination.
How dare you have time off to receive medical treatment. Just plain selfish.
We're all still in total admiration of your positive attitude and sheer determination.
Thanks for the kind words! I've had my not-so-positive moments of course but on the whole I'd like to think I've been as positive as possible. Having my images in the chapter my surgeons are writing may also serve some benefit to someone else out there too, which can only be a good thing.
Geoff - one of your friends from the States has just put 100 dollars into my fundraising..... Please give them my thanks!! And of course, another thanks to you for telling them!
Cycling is going well, I'm getting busier at work, plenty of support from family and friends (and that includes you guys!), I'm feeling generally good.... Life is pretty good right now, plus those messages from Vas were awesome!
Edited by E65Ross on Thursday 2nd July 19:03
E65Ross said:
rovermorris999 said:
All we've done (apart from the generous chap with the nice car, whatever it was) is a few words and throw a few quid your way. You are the one with the balls and I doff my hat to you. I hope I have your attitude if anything happens to me.
Well.... It means a lot more toe than just a few quid and a fee words, is all I can say really Both Geoff and br d have donated large amounts of money and came to visit me.... Both with McLarens
days I won't ever forget! You've all helped me raise that amount of money, no matter what the sum is. It's not just the figure that gets put down.... It's the fact that some donation is a sign of your support. That's what has been so fantastic! I will be seeing Geoff again next week, actually, and hopefully will see brand d again before summer is over of I'm fortunate enough!
Cheers
I've said it before and Geoff has also expressed it with real eloquence, you have to meet Ross to fully appreciate what he's been through and how he's bounced back. And this isn't some "Oh this blokes been ill so I'd better be nice about him" bulls
t, he's a genuinely inspirational young guy, you come away realising that you rarely meet people like this.He's as brave as a Lion but is embarrassed to be told it, has an iron determination that leaves you wondering what to say without sounding like an awestruck child and a maturity and calm way beyond his years.
I've been fortunate enough to meet some amazing people in my life (and through Pistonheads) and Ross is right up there. Six months ago he was facing an unknown future with a condition that would cause most of us to curl up in a ball and whimper. He's not only come through it but has literally got on his bike and cheerfully defied all conventional expectations for a gentle recovery. Ross is not happy with just getting slowly better, he's out there kicking down fences.
Frankly, I can't even comprehend that kind of strength.
Donate if you can people, you won't find a better cause or a more worthy example.
Edited by br d on Thursday 2nd July 21:42
Extremely kind words br d! Many thanks
Just this morning got a message from Vas saying he'd be honoured to donate and so I've sent him the link so expect another donation to go in over the next few days. To have BOTH of my surgeons donate would be absolutely remarkable and would give me a real feeling of not just being an NHS number.... But a person.
In other news I collected the bike this morning from the bike shop and it's looking mega! Everything was stripped from the frame, cleaned up or replaced and it looks pretty much brand new, aside a few scratches here and there!
Have a great weekend everyone.
Just this morning got a message from Vas saying he'd be honoured to donate and so I've sent him the link so expect another donation to go in over the next few days. To have BOTH of my surgeons donate would be absolutely remarkable and would give me a real feeling of not just being an NHS number.... But a person.
In other news I collected the bike this morning from the bike shop and it's looking mega! Everything was stripped from the frame, cleaned up or replaced and it looks pretty much brand new, aside a few scratches here and there!
Have a great weekend everyone.
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