I thought I’d better quickly write a blog as I’ve just gone live on my Virginmoneygiving page and I mentioned my blog on it. I thought if people think ‘oh I’ll give the blog a look’ and then see that I’m a lazy cow who hardly writes that often, they may equate that also to my running and decide not to sponsor me, as they can’t imagine me getting my fat lazy arse over the line. But no that’s not me. I can write and run and will be proving it as the months progress. Photo above is proof that I do get sweaty and run and I am now up to 9 miles! Feeling like those buns of steel are coming along nicely and I’ve lost nearly half a stone! The only unfortunate thing is that I must have actually put a fair bit of weight on over the summer as nothing actually feels loose yet, more that my jeans are no longer acting a s a tourniquet. But hey ho it’s all going in the right direction.

So my eye check up was yesterday and I’m feeling pretty relaxed as I’ve decided not to have the hideous injections.  I was calm and open minded as I went into my appointment,  as I had managed to quieten the voice in my head that was screaming “there’s no way you’re letting anyone poke a needle in your eye!” Luckily for me a couple of  weeks ago I felt my sight had improved. I was walking with a friend in Bushy park, which has lots of red deer, many which are rutting at the moment and although I couldn’t quite tell if the large stag looking in our direction was charging us or standing still, at least I could see it! (It was standing still.)

Anyway, at my eye check up my feelings were proved right as my eye test did show improvement, the fluid had again disappeared of its own accord. Now there is still a little bit left and I was offered the avastin injections for this, but with my eye and my position of my tumour, the ischaemia is spreading to remove all sight. The injections don’t help this, they help the oedema. My consultant thought maybe the injections could work for two years until the ischaemia took over, but it is like asking how long is a piece of string? She explained the side effects are pretty low, the main one being a risk of infection and some people see floaters. I have no problems with my eye at present and I can’t be bothered to go through the aggro of having injections monthly for such a short term benefit. I was secretly pleased she didn’t say “Oh Ruth we are looking at perfect vision for the next ten years!” Then I would have had to give them a try or admit I’m a chicken.

Anyway what proved somewhat amusing to my husband (not me) was she was very interested in what I have been doing differently recently? What could have caused this spontaneous improvement? I answered “nothing has changed.” whilst thinking, just lucky I guess. Helpful hubby on the other hand decided to put it all down to my running. “Yes” She agreed, “It may have had an effect.” This is where Mr J roared with laughter at his own humour “Oh Rufus, you were looking forward to taking off your trainers in April! Now you won’t be able to unless you want injections in your eye!” Ha bloody ha! I wanted to poke him in the eye with an injection. But now I have another motivation for running the marathon on those cold January training days, firstly raising money for Ocumeluk, secondly obtaining the body of a supermodel, thirdly keeping mentally sane and finally keeping the dreaded eye injection away! Sounds all good to me. They may not all be in the correct order, don’t judge me, I mean who would  prefer a body of a supermodel over mental stability?  But umm, I’ll just leave it in that order for now.

If you would like to sponsor me you can follow this link

http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/ruthjohnston73

Not actually sure that link works but if you google virginmoneygiving and search Ruth Johnston -running for eye cancer, it should pop up.

Thank you all. I’m off for a lovely curry and bubbles tonight, guilt free, as now I am such an amazing athlete I can eat what I please. Cheers!!

Ruth xxx