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Post by yamark on Feb 1, 2019 14:44:01 GMT 1
In mid March 2018, Paul (one of my sons) and I travelled up to Peterborough for the top 10 photo shoot for of special build of the year. A great experience. Shortly after this Paul, David and I flew to Alderney in the Channel Isles (David and Paul are twins). The reason for this is that in early 2017 my dad died and I now own both his properties which need considerable work.
I've been in construction most of my life; David and Paul work for my bathroom installation company - were all very hands on, so 6 weeks were allocated for the work to be completed. Three weeks into the work, on Friday 20th April, in the evening I had a call from Sue that I will never forget. She was in hospital after having a seizure on Wednesday (she went to work Wednesday, Thursday and as her work noticed she was missing words was sent home Friday. From home my youngest son, Steve arranged a cab to take her to hospital (Steve was at work).
Sue had a head CT scan late Friday afternoon and was told she had "a black mass" in her head. When Sue told me the news, I knew it would not be good. I used to be an optician, and about 25% of the training is anatomy including brain tumours. I flew back on the first available flight, Sunday morning to Southampton. Steve picked me up and we went straight to Hillingdon hospital.
Monday, Sue had a full body CT and a head MRI. Sue had a major seizure that evening. I managed to get to see the head MRI on Tuesday morning after chatting to the consultant. I knew Sue had a grade 3 or 4 brain tumour immediately (3 and 4 are malignant). The white margins are the give away. The tumour was very deep, near the mid brain close to her motor nerves in her left temporal lobe, around 30mm in diameter. It was behind the optic nerve junction (called the Chiasma) and next to the optic tract.
At this point, I wished that I had forgotten all my anatomy training, but alas, I hadn't and I knew the horror of what awaited the love of my life.
On the 10th May Sue had the biopsy at Charing cross (the op was cancelled, after being admitted a week earlier due to a lack of beds). The results were given to us a week later. Sue has a Glioblastaoma Multiform - the worst brain tumour you can have. Not survivable. Without treatment she would live for 12 to 16 weeks.
Just over a week later (May 19/20) I was at the MCN festival at Peterborough with the 550 triple in the final. As most of you know I won the competition, but the problem was I had no time to develop or iron out any problems with the triple and Practical Sportsbikes were due to road test it 5 days later on Friday 25th!
Dusty to the rescue, he came over to mine and we had a couple of runs up the road. The bike had a coolant leak from a weld on the middle cylinder, but not very serious. Dusty also helped on the Friday, using his van to transport the bike to a photogenic location. The bike ran well. The editor Jim Moore and photographer Jason were superb, and I think without Dusty's help the article would have half the content. Dusty just sorted everything as I still struggled to comprehend Suzannes fate. I would also like to thank Alex (donkeychomp) for his regular messages of concern for Sue.
I had a favour to ask of Jim (editor). I asked if Suzanne could have her photo in the triple article. He said no problem and Sue's picture is on the last page of the article in the thanks section. Jim also sent me a beautiful framed photo of Sue and myself. Jim is a class act.
Since May, Sue has had Radiotherapy and Chemo (six weeks solid). She is doing as well as can be expected. We have been married for 31 years, and have 4 children- Sarah, David, Paul and Steve (aged 28-23) Sarah lives in Australia and has come back to help look after mum.
Some photo's of Sue, so you can see the stunning wife that I will be losing
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Taken a couple of years ago with the twins
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Mark
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Post by Yogi on Feb 1, 2019 15:18:19 GMT 1
There’s no words I can say mate I’m stunned and gutted for yous
My thoughts and prayers are with You,Suzanne and your family
No justice in this world
Atb Matt
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Post by mellow on Feb 1, 2019 15:25:02 GMT 1
I don't know what to say either. I personally don't know you or your family, but after reading that i feel really sad for you and your family. Life truly does suck
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Post by philmill on Feb 1, 2019 15:28:32 GMT 1
My thoughts are with you both, I can't imagine what it must be like, or could I say anything to help.
Phil
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Post by bezzer on Feb 1, 2019 16:12:25 GMT 1
Mark, I have written this over and over, and still can’t find the words to convey how terribly sorry I am for you all, in what is a hellish situation.
In the present, enjoy every moment you have with your lovely wife, and I sincerely hope you can take comfort from the legacy of your time together with Sue - your children, who sound an amazing bunch, and who I’m certain will need your support as much as you theirs.
Sorry if this sounds ‘cliché’, but as I said I’m struggling to come up with the right words. You’re one of life’s good guys mate, and as we know there is no justice sometimes, but just want you to know that I’m thinking of you all, and I think I can speak for the wider LC community and say they are too.
Stay strong buddy. Iain.
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Post by sbscnor on Feb 1, 2019 16:16:47 GMT 1
Hang in there and stay strong enjoy the time you have together, I am currently going through a similar situations with a very good friend of 40 years.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2019 16:39:12 GMT 1
I have no words only my best wishes and deepest sympathy to you and your family
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Post by abar121 on Feb 1, 2019 16:50:04 GMT 1
A heart warming story. Best wishes to you and your wife.
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Post by Mr Kipling on Feb 1, 2019 16:59:08 GMT 1
I too cannot think of the right words to put but wish you all the very best.....
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2019 17:11:58 GMT 1
My thoughts with you and your family, I can only echo the above sentiments.
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Post by headcoats on Feb 1, 2019 17:19:08 GMT 1
Heart breaking and to see you all so happy in the pics really brings home what a horrible disease it is :-(
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Post by aid22 on Feb 1, 2019 18:23:14 GMT 1
I feel so sorry for you and your family after reading your post. It's times like this that everyone should realise how fragile we really are. 31 years of marriage with four children is testament to what you and your wife have and nothing can take that away. And hopefully with the strength and determination you both have, your marriage will go on and on. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Aid.
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Post by 4l04ever on Feb 1, 2019 18:39:58 GMT 1
Make the most of your time together.
My wife, also Sue, was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2017, but it was luckily caught very early and had everything sorted straight away through my works private medical cover. It was caught before any symptoms were evident. A lot of cancers do not give any warning symptoms until it is too late :-( A biker friend passed away last year with cancer on his lungs, which he had no symptoms until it was too late again. The after treatment causes lots of issues too, so you have to work around it as good as you can.
Just do all the things you both always wanted to do.
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Post by panzermatt on Feb 1, 2019 18:55:13 GMT 1
jesus thats very sad. lost for words mate.
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Post by dusty350 on Feb 1, 2019 19:38:18 GMT 1
I'm lucky enough to know Mark, and regard him as one of my best friends. The first time I properly met Sue was the day I popped over to help Mark get the bike running. This was obviously quite soon after her diagnosis. She was/is a ray of sunshine - warm, funny and very welcoming, and very understanding of Mark's love of bikes. She carried on as though nothing was wrong, and laughed and joked with her friends that were visiting. Stoic doesn't even begin to describe it. We met again on the day of the photoshoot at Marks house, and although she was experiencing problems, she carried on like nothing was wrong. She certainly wasn't giving in to this awful disease. Jim Moore is an absolute star, and so happy to include Sue in the pics. I took one myself too; 20180525_103418 by dusty miller, on Flickr Mark has been next to Sue through every step of this journey. The trips across London for treatment at Charing Cross - 5 days a week for 6 weeks. The talks with the Doctors. The hours of research on the internet, searching for hope. Holding the house together, and a business that has seen him spend more and more time at home as Sue's condition deteriorates. Mark is her primary carer, now doing everything for her. Administering drugs, working out dosages, getting up to her in the night, and a hundred other things that most of us hope we will never have to experience. And he doesn't moan, or gripe, and from day 1, he knew where this awful cancer would ultimately take them. His devotion to Sue is an example to us all, and I know she couldn't wish for a more devoted and loving husband. Mark has made the decision that Sue will stay at home, surrounded by her loving family, and even though each day gets harder, he provides a level of care and attention that no one else could ever achieve. I've been lucky enough to know some pretty brave people in my life, and mate, you are up there with the best of them. Mark, I salute you. Best wishes Dusty
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Post by veg on Feb 1, 2019 19:55:59 GMT 1
Mark I have just read this post and I am genuinely incredibly touched by the post and the very obvious love you share with each other, being surrounded by family by those that have given her the greatest pleasure the greatest memories and no doubt the greatest love is a wonderful thing for you both. May you both know strength when needed and patience and love , treasure every moment together and fill each other’s hearts with love. Take care for you both and for your children mark. Tim
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Post by LC_BOTT on Feb 1, 2019 19:57:04 GMT 1
Nicely said Dusty, I can only pass on my best wishes to both of you. Very sad situation to be in.
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Post by panzermatt on Feb 1, 2019 22:00:25 GMT 1
May i be so bold, as to say your wife is gorgeous.
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Post by kostas on Feb 1, 2019 22:21:44 GMT 1
I wish you all find the strength to get thru this Mark. Such a heartbreaking story.. I admire your and your wife’s strength.
Kostas.
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Feb 1, 2019 22:44:07 GMT 1
Omg like others who have read this post, who have never had the pleasure of meeting Mark nor his lovely wife Suzanne, I just wish you both as well as possible and send you both lots of love. I'm amazed about your obvious dedication to each other. Enjoy every day, I'm sure you do, and we should too. Bikes are just a bonus. Try to stay strong for the family, and I look forward to a post in 10 years telling us she is giving you grief about having too many bikes. xxxxx
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Post by doohanno1 on Feb 1, 2019 23:13:04 GMT 1
Obviously reading this brings a lump to your throat. It simply is not fair. I wish you , Sue and family all the best in this very difficult time
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Post by donkeychomp on Feb 1, 2019 23:20:47 GMT 1
I found out about this quite a while ago when I went to see Mark to pick up the little RD engine. We laughed and joked, inspected the 550LC and all seemed perfectly normal. Suse buzzed by a very bubbly girl and waved to us as she was off out shopping...then Mark told me. We were both close to tears and even now I am struggling to hold things together. It's just an unbelievably cruel thing to happen to a woman so full of life, so much energy, so kind. Mark, as you know, my thoughts are constantly with you both and of course all the family too. Hope she can enjoy her birthday surrounded by all her friends and kin.
Alex
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Post by JonW on Feb 1, 2019 23:35:58 GMT 1
Gutted to hear this Mark, the world can be nasty sometimes. I know you will make the most of the time you have left, and I expect like many of us here I will have you and your family in my thoughts.
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Post by oldbritguy on Feb 2, 2019 0:09:35 GMT 1
Echoing what everyone else is saying here Mark as it is difficult to find words after reading your heartbreaking story.
Thoughts are with you all at this most difficult of times.
Stay strong team!
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Post by steve h on Feb 2, 2019 1:53:01 GMT 1
Its a horrible thing for loved ones to be confronted with. I was diagnosed a couple of years ago, the strain it puts on the people close to you is huge. But.. having family around you who love you to bits is priceless! Cant offer any advice Mark, cept to stay strong for her.
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Post by cbm on Feb 2, 2019 4:09:33 GMT 1
Oh mate , on the few occasions we've managed to meet up over the summer and shoot the sh1t you said she was very unwell but never anymore than that. I had no idea and consequently have a clue how to respond/reply to your post. All I'll say for now is that you know I'm only 15mins away and my house/garage door will always be open and the kettle on anytime if feel the need for some time away from the real world mate. Happy to meet for food/beer in the Manor if you fancy it, whatever mate, you've got my number.
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Post by Dangerous on Feb 2, 2019 8:42:33 GMT 1
Tear in the eye reading this, my thoughts are with you and your family mark. Be strong.😢
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Post by 1966baz on Feb 2, 2019 10:18:03 GMT 1
Although I havn't met you Mark, I just want to say something. Enjoy every moment together and stay strong. Life is so unfair , there is no logic to so many things .My thoughts are going out to you and your family. Best wishes , Nick.
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Post by rigga on Feb 2, 2019 10:29:14 GMT 1
Can't really offer anything, but thinking of you and Suzanne at this point. Awful situation for you all.
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Post by Norbo on Feb 2, 2019 11:07:17 GMT 1
I have no words to describe how sorry i am to reed this. Enjoy every moment you have together.
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