Put Me Back On My Bike..

.. were the reputed last words of Tom Simpson, British racing cyclist who died 40 years ago on Mount Ventoux. He was quite out of his mind of course, but you know how obsessive people can be about doing what they love.

I've just come back from Las Vegas where I spent a deliriously happy (for me, at least) few hours on stage and many hours meeting / talking to /at the fine accountants of the Principa Alliance. Utter bliss. Las Vegas the city did nothing for me at all, but the opportunity to get back presenting for the first time since March was irresistible. It went really well, so much so that I've been invited to go and repeat the performance for the Australian Principa conference in Brisbane next May. From Las Vegas to Bris Vegas, something to shoot at. I'm grateful to Ric and Kerry Payne who took a gamble on me to be there and let me "get back on my bike".

I was there with Paul Kennedy who did most of the presenting and kept checking on me that I wasn't overdoing things. Daniela was very supportive and understanding, although obviously apprehensive. As part of our ongoing celebration of our 20th year as O'Byrne and Kennedy, we took a 3 hour helicopter flight to the Grand Canyon; that WAS impressive! Also while in Las Vegas, we met up with our fellow fellows from the VeraSage Institute for a two day meeting - the first time we had all met up, even though we've been collaborating by email for ages. Very neat.

Medically, I've been outstandingly well for 3 weeks. Helped by the fact I've had a lay off from treatment, and that I received two units of blood before I went. I have said before how impressed I am with the medical team, nursing and doctoring. What I especially like is that they work to help me actually DO things, I'm not just a bundle of symptoms to lay there and take what treatment they prescribe. They've all been very conscious of my desire to talk at the Vegas conference and worked to get me there. They all share the view that they're treating me so I can live my life, so it seems only right that I should do so!

Usually when I start to feel well, that means it's soon time to go back in for four days of chemo. I had thought I might have had more of a layoff, but the experts said "it's working, let's keep going", so tomorrow, 31 Oct, I start the new regime which is hopefully less hard on my system. This regime has 8 sets - so that takes me through to the end of March 2008. I've had tests for my kidney and heart function yesterday and - wait for it - a CT scan tomorrow. Trying not to hope for too much from that, but can't help feel the others have been great psychological boosts. We travel hopefully. And travel is good for you!

Carpe all that you can, and when you find people who will back you, treasure them.

Paul