Nottingham Ho!

It seems occasionally the NHS creates a system that actually works. NHS Book and Choose is one of those things that makes sense AND more importantly...works! I was referred by my GP to Nottingham, the appointment, web ref and password all came through which allowed me to swap my date (due to work) with no bother at all! Wow!
So on the 7 December my wife and I nipped over to Nottingham City Hospital. I was pretty much wound up over all this... so many what ifs in my head. I'd spoken to my counsellor at length about it all and "it's natural to be so anxious after your last ordeal"... Great. That helped. Thanks luv! "but it is a different hospital. A hospital you have confidence in." True but what if...
She was right. But I was still unsure. I know I need to have this op. I know this hospital looked after Scarlett brilliantly when she had her operations [for scoliosis] so what's my problem. Kinda obvious really isn't it!
Anyway, we got there- late- eventually found outpatients and got whizzed straight in (probably because we were late!)
"Would you mind if a couple of our students examine you first? They've got their finals this afternoon."
"Bring it on. Yes that's fine!!"
The poor sods... like lambs to the slaughter
"So Mr Crow, can you give us a little of your history as to why you are here today."
"You want the short or long version?"
"Erm, long please."
So they got it. With both barrels. By the time I'd finished they had the usual expression I've grown accustomed to... jaw on the floor, not saying much.
So they had a prod and a poke and they umm'd and ahh'd made a bit of smalltalk (must have been taught to do that at Uni!) and went off to write it up.
Next, we got a visit from the Consultant's Registrar(?) who had a read of the notes supplied by the students (can you believe they didn't have my noted from Lincoln!) and asked a few more questions, then decided Mr Ubhi needed definitely to see me.

Let's check him out...

Mr Charanjeit Singh Ubhi

Consultant Surgeon

• Sub-specialties:Gallbladder surgery, Hernia inguinal, Laparoscopy, Thyroid Surgery
• GMC membership number:2386450
• Date of registration:01 Aug 1977
• Grade of clinical excellence award:Level 9 What is this?
• Email:c.ubhi@nuh.nhs.uk

I am a trained General Surgeon undertaking gastrointestinal, endocrine and laparoscopic surgery. Due to clinical demands, in the last few years the majority of my in-patient activity has been in thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal surgery. I maintain my general interests with day case surgery performing laparoscopic and open procedures with cholecystectomy. inguinal and incisional hernia procedures forming the major components. I have an active role in training junior staff in surgery and Higher Surgical Training. I have a much wider remit for training in my role as Regional Specialty Adviser.

Hmm, not bad... looks like he should understand all the sh*t I've been through. Good bedside manner and gave direct answers with no skirting around the issue. I'm going to need open surgery due to the previous surgeries in that area for him to repair the hernia. This might not remove all the pain I have in that area but it will certainly repair the hernia (other pains could be caused by surgical adhesions but he was only to repair the hernia)- this is a less serious operation in the respect that it's 'surface' and they do not go right in through the peritoneum, only dealing with the muscle wall. Well that's how I understood it!
Effects? Well, probably an overnight stay, then home (I've been here before- or not, if you get me!) and TOTAL REST- not even driving, lifting a thing- for 2 weeks followed by a SLOW integration back into work and general shenanigans.... so it's pretty much like having a cesarian. Well that's work buggered up for a month- possibly two! Great  -_-
Next we went off for pre-op... questionnaire, blood pressure, general Q&A with another nurse who was nice and quite helpful- always a bonus!
Oh, forgot to say, OI asked Mr Ubhi about cans and can'ts and his answer was "I never stop my patients doing anything before surgery. Be sensible and listen to your body. If it hurts, stop." JESUS! Specialist subject, the bleedin obvious or what!
So, dear reader you again will witness the shittiness of this Government and how self employed people are looked after. Well, they're not. It's that simple. Anyone else would be on sick pay. Me? Nowt... maybe claim some benefit after a ridiculous questionnaire but I've been here before and got nothing. Think we might have to explore the CAB this time.
So, where am I with all this at the moment... well, I'm wearing compression tops. These ones are great and they do help.

• Am I in pain? Yes but not all the time. 
• Can I do gym? No- it's too much and too much strain. 
• Can I cycle? Yes, I'm doing flat routes when the weather allows or on the turbo. 
• Can I run? Well, surprisingly, yes. I did the Santa run, expecting to walk and actually managed to run the course...comfortably! It's only 3.5km but considering I'd not run since the London 10k in July so I was happy with that (legs not so happy now!!)

Third time lucky?

I think not!
Allow me to explain...
So, 2 years ago we had THE op. No need to go over old ground. You, reader, know what happened or if you don't, look further back in the blog. What's happened since... well, 2 bouts of counselling and, last week not only did I begin a new session of counselling (or 'Nut Club' as a friend of mine coined it!) but I also had another fekking operation! Luckily this one was not related to the previous one:
[at the dentist a few months ago]
"Ah Phil, you seem to have a blocked saliva gland. Oh, seems to be a stone in there. I'll get you referred to the Max Fax dept at the Hospital."
"Oh, erm, okay!?"
[a few weeks later at Lincoln Hospital]
"Ah yes Mr Crow, we'll give you a general anaesthetic and whip that out no problem."
"No you won't!"
"Erm, what?!"
"Can you do it with a local?"
"I guess so."
"Right, that's okay then."
So last week, I went in (PROPER shitting myself!) and within 10 mins, it was over. Blimey, that's all good then!
So the score stands at 3 to the counselling and 2 to the operations.

About the same time as I got referred back to Nut Club, I asked the GP about my stomach as it had been giving me some gip.
"So Doctor, do I have a hernia?"
"Oh no, it all looks fine to me."
"Phew!"

Still in some pain- worse than then I decide to go back to the GP's to ask again thinking, this time it's possibly post surgical adhesions: it is actually quite painful when I'm stood up ad walking. Helen says go and see Dr Barber as he knows my case history.

"Dr Barber, what the hell is going on with my stomach?"
"Let's have a look- Oooo it is a bit misshapen... lie down... Oh, now it's gone.... yes that's what we call an incisional hernia. I'd recommend you get that seen to as it'll not go away and will be painful."
"Can I go to a different hospital... like, er, NOT Lincoln!"
"Oh yes, don't blame you, that'll be fine. I'll draft a letter."

So, dear reader, that is where it's at now. Am I happy...ER NO! But it'll be sorted and hopefully sorted properly. Looks like it'll be a few months wait which sounds painful but there is light at the end of the tunnel. I hope this isn't going to limit my cycling or spin. Got a feeling it'll take the fun out of running until it's sorted. I hope my work won't suffer more from this. It's bad enough with my mental state that my work has suffered, but with Nut Club and with this, now, up and coming procedure, I HAVE to be optimistic that it'll be third time lucky with both.

Gran Fondo Di Roma Part 2

Bags packed, bikes packed, all weighed as we have 23kgs each and we are set. Off to Heathrow to get the early flight to Rome!
We arrive mid morning in a damp and dreary capital city... this isn't how it's supposed to be in Rome- where's the sun!?
We collect our bikes and head off to get a taxi- plenty of them here- like flies round sh*t wanting a fare. "I have good taxi- where you want to be? yes, I know that well €80"
"HOW MUCH!? Jon, tell him to ____ off!" We'd seen signs in the airport saying taxi to Rome should be about €40.... well maybe that's each? "Ok, Ok, let's go"
Great hotel, not in the centre- about 3km out but great price and facilities. Our room was pretty big too- needed to be as we turned it into a workshop to get the bikes ready! MIND THE WHITE SHEETS WITH THAT CHAIN!

So, with the bikes built, we headed off to the Circo Massimo and a very damp event village. Now languages are not my forté but I'll give it a go and struggle/mime my way through any communications but registration was an absolute bun fight. No shelter for people registering and all trying to get to a desk to speak to someone. Meanwhile, Jon and I- looking very confused try in a very British way to attract some attention eventually find someone whose English is marginally better than our Italian. This is the point where we find if our race licenses are any good.... and it's all fine. They have a good look at the license- pass it round and a few shrugs and nods, we're signed in- no problem! Phew. We collect our race chip and jersey, have a look at the damp displays and head off for food and shelter. Walking through this area of Rome is bizarre. It's kind of like Pompeii but still in use. So you get a mixture of, say 80AD buildings with 20th Century buildings tacked on or built round. The Colosseum is a classic example: it's surrounded by offices, restaurants and roads!

I have no idea what this archway is (I'll look it up and add a link) but it is STUNNING. And it's right next to the Colosseum. The detail is incredible and, guessing this is about 2000 years old, amazing for it's age.

Back to the hotel, dinner and an early night. We checked our weather apps to see what was in store for us on race day: in varying degrees, they all said....rain! Bugger. Was hoping dry at least. Oh well, no choice I guess, just take it easy on the descents. Also, within the race pack, total time allowed to complete had been changed from 7 hours to 6.30 hours which we felt was borderline for us doing the long course. We'll see on the day!

shot with my iPhone on the new 'panorma' setting- fantastic and good size files!

As you can see, the sun came out and the rain stayed away. Slight technical problem at the start: Jon's bike had been bashed in transit on the plane and his rear derailleur adjuster had been bust (so much for the tough bike box he'd hire!) so we got one of the many mechanics to sort him out. We were set!

Once we set off we had a sort of 'procession' stage which was 7 km around Rome and the Colusseum- plenty of pavé to ride on which played havoc with people's cameras! Once we'd completed this amazing loop, we were out on the road. Fantastic course and all closed roads. 5000 cyclists is quite a sight! We stuck with the 60 mile route (though with hind sight, we could have completed the 95 miles) - the climbing was wonderful, the roads were fast as were the descents. I lost Jon which I kind of expected as we were all in the same jersey. Some people had ribbon attached to their helmets- good idea and one to remember!!

One image that was mildly amusing was an ambulance with sires and lights coming toward us and the passenger paramedic was smoking out of the window!! 

Short film showing some of the day...Run VT!

Time for this one was 3hrs 34min. Back to the race village for some pasta, bikes back to the hotel then off into town for some proper food...and wine!!

The following day we had some free time before we had to be back at the airport so we did the tourist think... Vatican, Trevi Fountain etc and with the weather still holding (it was supposed to be rain and lightening this day!) we even went looking for a bike shop! well, that was why we were there!! 

Finally we set off for the airport. We'd book a taxi at the hotel. Got to Fiumicino and was charged.....€40- totally ripped off by the previous taxi but we know for the future! Ciao x

Pain and Disfigurement

Recently I've been getting a load of pain where I was operated on.... Not gonna blow this out of context- it comes and goes- and is a max pain of 4/10 so it's more 'a pain' than a proper pain if you get me. However, with all this cycling I seem to have changed shape a bit- for the better...BUT the scar tissue under my skin from the operations is starting to bulge and, to me, is starting to get unsightly. Not happy about this new revelation and I don't know what to do- I think a trip to the Docs is in order purely for reassurance that nothing is turning into a hernia. I certainly do not want any more surgery. maybe I just need to know it's ok and 'normal' and not gonna turn into something nasty. Hmmm....

I distinctly remember being told in hospital that the scar tissue would disperse over 12 months... well it's 2 years now and I feel like John Merrick!

UPDATE:
So, I went to the docs. Initially my main reason/concern was all of the above. However, things change pretty quick in the head of Phil Crow and to say I've hit a low would be an understatement. I feel at my lowest point, I feel undervalued, paranoid and so alone. I daren't talk to anyone about what happened and what I went through because I feel like I'm boring them and they don't want to hear it...again. I'm struggling with work: do I want to work- not really; do I enjoy work- yes, I guess so; do I need to work- unfortunately, yes. There has never been a time I could process everything that happened. I came out of hospital, got fit again, started work because I had to.... never a time where I could sit and do nothing and I think this is having an effect now. It's so frustrating that just when you think you're on top of it all, it comes back and knocks you for six. I'm so tired of it all.
Anyway, thought I'd drop this on the Doc- 6 questions on a bit of paper is how I'm diagnosed and, yes, I'm referred.... Again, that'll be another 6-8 weeks until anything is done. FFS!
Meanwhile, my physical shape- apparently everything is okay- no hernia- plenty of scar tissue but that's normal (HA!) The pain could be cause by intestine stuck to my abdomen wall when the operation happened as everything gets stuck together after an operation but it's nothing to worry about (easy to say when it's not you!) so that was that. In the mean time, I'm sat here with a massive sense of loss, worry, foreboding and general panic. Yesterday I cried too much. I want this to stop.

Cat & Fiddle

The Cat & Fiddle is a pub overlooking the Peak district near Leek. For today, it is a 55 mile 'club' ride beginning in darkest Burslem at Brian Rouke Cycle shop. Allegedly Sean Kelly was riding (and Jonathan Tiernan-Locke had tweeted he too was riding) though there was so many people out for this one, not a chance of spotting them. For myself and Jon, this was to be our final longish training ride before Italy next week.
We left Lincoln about 0545 arriving in a very foggy Burslem at 8 ish meeting up with my old college mate Al whom I'd 'persuaded' to come along and haul his ass around this course.... well, he needed the exercise :-)

 Registration was easy and we headed off pretty much straight away. The first 20 miles was main road out of the urban areas into the main climb. So many traffic lights and roadworks (with traffic lights) to get through- it began to split us up so we had to keep regrouping. By the bottom of the climb, we'd lost Al though I think he had not trained as much as us (that's what happens when you become a dad for the first time- lovely little lad too!). I might also add at this point, ice was forming on us due to the wind chill. Great. As we began to climb, though, we broke through the fog into beautiful clear skies. This really is a reason to cycle. (It turns out we were über lucky with the weather: last year it pi**ed down and the previous year, 40mph winds were blowing cyclist over! gulp!!) The climb across to the Cat & Fiddle was stunning, just stunning. I've not enjoyed such views since last years Swiss ride. It's moments like this that make me so happy and full of life. I had also realised at this point I was riding quite well for me. It's a long gradual climb- no idea what gradient and it goes on for a while- totally suited to me and definitely the way to get up this hill, rather than Mow Cop! At the top, I waited for Jon at a cafe: the Cat & Fiddle was another half mile away. We regrouped and moved on to the Cat, had a drink and energy bar and carried on.

The roads were in great shape and the descent was fast. Lovely!
We descended down into Leek (and more roadworks) A59 - A53 taking us through Dunwood and Norton Green with some short sharp climbs. Staffordshire is full of these short steep sharp climbs- alot of people don't like them as they seem to keep coming and coming.
Arriving back at Rourkey's and signing off, I completed in 3hrs 30m taking out my stop. Jon was another 20 mins, while Al was still 9 miles behind us (I had him tagged on an app on my phone, so we simply 'watched' him come in!)

gerrof yer bike and have a picture taken!

that's better!

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS LESSON No. ONE

HOW NOT TO DO IT

Let's do a little extra piece here... there is a photographer in attendance at this event... Codsall Photographic. You can Google them, easy enough to find. I'm giving them no other publicity than that. They shot from one point on the ride... not the best viewpoint for an image and with THE worst advertising to flog their pictures... it took me AGES to find them. What's the point?! What is the point of shooting all this if you are not advertising where the pictures can be viewed- might as well have stayed in bed mate! 

Well, I now know why they have kept advertising quiet. The prices! WHAT A RIP OFF. Print prices are verging on bad but their digital file download...£16 per image! JESUS! This guy would make more money by dropping this to a fiver per download. At least he'd make a load of sales. It's an event picture, not a fekking wedding!

THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT!

Sportograf who shot the GF Roma charge €5.99 for one download and these are really good photos. Position of photographers is carefully chosen and there's an army of them PLUS if you buy all your images (and there were at least 10 of me) you can have the lot PLUS 45 'impressions' of the whole GF for €19.99. Now that is how to sell event pictures. Let's face it, no one else wants them. Better to sell more cheaply and get return business than price high and sell hardly any.

Gran Fondo Di Roma part 1

With about 10 days to go until it's time for the Gran Fondo di Roma, Jon- the guy I'll be riding with- planted a little seed of doubt into my head....

"do we need medical certs?"

"I dunno... do we?"

And if you check out their rules and regs, it's really not very clear-


Open to all adult male and female riders with a 2012 valid FCI (Federazione Ciclistica Italiana – Italian Cycling Federation), UDACE license and foreign riders in possession of a valid national 2012 license.

The event is also open to all cycling tourists between 15 - 18 years and over 64 who are entitled only for the classic course, 99 km.

For the non licensed there will be the possibility to buy a one day FCI license, for Euro 15,00, valid for a global responsibility and personal insurance for the whole event. This license can be handed out only after having showed a valid medical certification for agonistic races (for the 154 km Route) or a medical certification of good health (for the Classic Route 99 km).

and

Signature
With the online sending of the enrolment form, the participant declares being in possession of the medical certificate according to the Italian D.M.V. 18/02/1982, of the license, of private accident insurance, general third party liability insurance. Furthermore the participant declares having read and unconditionally accepted the above mentioned instructions and declares to accepting them in each point. The participant authorizes the use of his images and datas according to the Italian privacy law no. 196 of 2003

so there you have it. I rang British Cycling who were not very helpful as each event [abroad] can vary and also vary in classification as an event or competition. In the UK, a sportive (or GranFondo) is classed as a non competitive event. Doesn't really clarify anything does it!

So, to comply with the rules what have we done? Well, upped our BC membership to Silver so we at least have a provisional race licence; been to the GP and got a medical certificate signed and stamped (a word of warning here- book an appointment with your GP and ask him/her. Do not hand the form in to the receptionist as you will possibly be charged. My GP signed this without charge as I spoke direct to him); emailed the event organisers for clarification on exactly what we need to bring from the UK and if a BC prov licence is acceptable.

We probably won't need any of this and will sail through the sign in procedure. When I cycled in events in Switzerland and America, I wasn't asked to show anything. I kind of expect the same to happen here. The only reason we are more cautious is that Jon, last year, came off his bike on an event, so he's a little bit more cautious. Fair enough, and we aint getting any younger! hahaha!

Watch this space. If more information materialises, I'll report back!

BUT...

before then, there is the Cat and Fiddle to ride this Sunday!

Ride With Brad

"Come and join me on a challenging ride through the stunning Lancashire countryside and experience the roads and climbs I regularly train on.  This brand new event has been specially organised to help celebrate the launch of the Bradley Wiggins Foundation.  I look forward to welcoming you all and riding alongside many of you on what will be a special day for all the family."

Bradley Wiggins CBE

August 19th at 0430 I set off to do what it said on the tin and "Ride with Brad" With so much hype about Mr Wiggins after the Tour de France and the Olympics, I thought it best to be there in plenty of time to park and the route I'd signed up for was to set off at 0830.
There were 2 routes: 160km and 100km. Having seen the profiles PLUS knowing I had to be in a fit state to drive home again, I chose the shorter route. A decision well made. Just look for yourself...it's mad! But great fun!!

The event start and village was set in the village of Barnoldswick, Lancashire (very borderline Yorkshire!) and is a set of routes Wiggo uses to regularly train on.

Below are a couple of snaps before I set off in the 0830 group. At this point, the weather was improving and by the time we set off, the sun was out! Happy days!!

preparing for the ride

even Mrs W is riding- nice bike!!!

Wiggo sets off

Where do I begin with describing this ride? Well, to say it was tough would be an understatement. As you avid readers know, I'm not the most experienced rider, but I've done all sorts ...Wales ...Switzerland ...all sorts. The first 30 miles were fine. Good company, nice little bunch to shelter in, yes lumpy but nothing I wasn't used to. And then it happened. A wall appeared in front of me in the form of a ridiculously steep hill...well that's how it seemed. I'd managed Waddington Fell which was a timed climb. No idea what the gradient was but that was fine. Forty Acre Lane seems to be where I was walking. Let me google that and see if it tells me the gradient...It's mentioned with Longridge Fell -no mention of steepness, but trust me...it was!

Slight delay- baa!

Wiggo signing autographs at a feed station

Okay, back on the bike and away I go. As the morning progresses, the weather begins to turn. It's still warm but the rain creeps in. Remember, what else you get with lots of climbing? Lots of descents! And what happens when it rains? Slippy roads! Descents + slippy roads = not good for cyclists. Personally, I was letting rip at up to 40mph IF I could see ahead. The rain just made the descents more technical and riding the brakes just in case. I must congratulate everyone on this ride- I haven't heard of any bad accidents which is brilliant. Usually you get one or two (Step forward Jon and Gavin!) but all was well.

course profile

The last 10 miles of this ride were shocking for me. We climbed and climbed and climbed...until I didn't think it possible to climb any more. Relentless...totally relentless and, dear reader, yes, I had to walk some more. Yet another hill finished me off!

As I ride, all sorts of rubbish enters my head. On this occasion, I sort of dawned on me that up to 12-15% gradients, I'm okay with. Short sharp 17%+ I can just about managed but not much more. I'm way happier with loooong drawn out 5-10% steady climbing similar to the Dragon RideBUT I reckon there was another factor contributing to this... I'd hardly eaten and been up since 0400 and was getting by on water and gels! Hmmm, not good but I finished and the finish was great. In fact there were people everywhere cheering us all on (though I've a feeling they might have been waiting to get a glimpse of Mr Wiggins!) and as we all pulled toward the finish line there was lots of cheering. Great end to a tough ride. I crossed the line in 4hrs 35mins. Considering everything, I was okay with that PLUS I got back ahead of Wiggo PLUS I got a better time than Eurosport commentator David Harmon :)

more finishers

Once back and parked up, I collected my goodie bag (good haul, thanks Brad!!) and food (boy was I hungry!!) and had a wander around the race village. There was lots going on: Sky rides for kids, displays, stalls, raffle etc and, despite the rain, a good crowd had turned out. I even met Steven Burke, gold medal olympic team track pursuit rider! Bonus! Nice medal mate!!

Finally Wiggo appeared on the stage to draw the raffle and accept a presentation from Barnoldswick and a very embarrassing female town crier (the words "shut up" and "get on with it" were heard more than once. Well, we were getting piss-wet-through as it was, by now, hammering it down!)

The rain subsided (a bit) and finally we got to meet Brad. Photos, autographs and some banter are a massive crowd pleaser and it made the rain not matter. A lot of people had finally met their hero. A great way to end a great day.

Steve n me (no idea wtf I'm looking at! lol)