So last week I completed the 3rd of 6 rounds of chemo so half way there and heading down the slope… and just in time for my birthday how lovely! What more can a boy ask for? lol
It was Wednesday 19th April and back to the LOC on Harley Street for more of that rat poision I have so learned to accept as the good evil. Fabiana was my nurse again which makes all the difference. I seem to attract the Portuguese mafia when there, Fabiana, GiGi and another dude whose name I didn’t catch. Jo popped in for a cheeky hug too. Nathan and I brought them some chocolates too, Jo said you do realise we don’t wait to have them, we open them right now lol! Get in there girl! Hayley W popped in to visit us that morning too and it was lovely to catch up with her. People are awesome.

It was a relatively pain free experience once again, around 4 hours of my time and off home we went. Now I am just waiting on the the appointment for my PET scan to see if we have this fucker in remission. I am confident that the treatment is working, have confidence in my doctors and my nurses. All prayers welcome. The next day my handsome fiance and I set off for Cardiff for a few days of recovery in the country. You always feel a bit crap for the next few days and you just can’t really describe how it feels in words sometimes. That night all we craved was a big fat Dominos pizza fest. I swear fattie boom booms we are. On the sofa, Bentley there too and total bliss.
Friday was a chill day and Nathan needed to do a few blow jobs (drys I mean lol) down the salon for his mum and Monica. I tagged along as always enjoy watching him glam up the ladies. Nathan’s mum Vanessa is so lovely and looks amazing all the time. Lovely to see Monica as well, was the first time we actually had time to chat properly. She and her daughters are following my journey via the blog. I am always so touched that people you hardly know are interested in my story, well Nathan and my story.

On Saturday we had an appointment to visit a wedding venue in Chepstow in the afternoon but first we met up with the lovely Frankie at the Anchor in Tintern (dog friendly place of course!) It was a lush day, sun was shining and we could eat outside and have Bentley with us. I didn’t have my hat on so I actually caught the sun a bit, well more than a bit actually, being almost bald it’s an easy one haha! It’s always so lovely to meet up with Frankie, she is the most loving person you will ever meet. Love you Frankie β€

We then headed back towards Chepstow to visit a venue we have had our hearts set on when looking at the website. We drove up the tree-lined drive and it was breathtaking. We arrived just a bit early to be greeted by a lovely lady and her little dog, Blanche (Blanchie) haha. Well phew we thought, they must be dog friendly as this is one of our strict conditions for our special day. A tour through the house (mansion more like lol) and all of the rooms and what can I say, just so awesome, everything you would want in a wedding venue. The adjacent barn where the reception would be is huge, open, bright and airy. We would have the run of the entire place and no restrictions on corkage, caterers etc. Out onto the terrace we headed for a drink (no prosecco available unfortunately or we could have stayed for ages) and to talk shop, numbers, dates. As if by magic it just seemed like we had found ‘the’ perfect place. Decisions, decisions. One night, 2 nights or the whole weekend. Without giving away too much we have decided to make a meal of it! lol.
Nathan was really quiet on the way back from the venue and I was a bit worried but I think it was just the excitement of the day. Once home I emailed the venue and they sent the T&C’s back and there was a sticking point, only assistance dogs allowed…wait a second…I emailed back and said we would only consider booking if Bentley could attend…few minutes later email arrives with amended contract and yes her mum had told her all about Bentley! And of course he is allowed. That night we decided to head out to dinner and celebrate at Cote Brasserie down the Bay and dinner really was on them. We ate like pigs and the Β£80 voucher they sent us as an apology for the last experience almost covered our entire feed bill! Bonus! We do eat well together.

So excited to be planning our special day together not to mention the rest of our lives. It’s just a really strange time with me going through this journey of mine and it still bothers me until I know for sure that I can beat this shit for good. Not being a downer or anything but there is no option, it has to be survival of the fittest. Because we have plans to make.
Yesterday we decided to pop in to St Nicholas and visit my future in laws, Vanessa, Bryn and Nathan’s brother Matthew as his son Iestyn too. We wanted to share the news with them and make sure they were on board so to speak. Needless to say they too were excited and had loads of questions from stag nights to flowers to what colour dress with Vanessa be wearing….it seems red was the one that came to mind, duly noted for the other ladies lol. Do I have to buy a new suit Bryn asked. Nothing like wedding planning to enlighten a conversation! Hilarious.
We brought along a lovely bottle of bubbles that was given to us by Bernie and Tony for our engagement and we wanted to share this with them. Its local champers from Bolney and its absolutely delicious. Let me set the scene, Vanessa doesn’t drink very much or very often so after the 3rd and 4th bottle of prosecco and champers were opened, it was bye bye Vanessa. Note to ourselves next time bring plenty of nibbles and bread to absord the alcohol. I was driving so I was not really on the sauce. It was a lush afternoon in the sunshine on the terrace with Bentley destroying balls and running around with sticks in their massive garden. We need to visit more often I said to Nathan, it really was a great day out. All the boys taking the piss out of Vanessa, they are soo π bad.

Had hundreds of messages for my birthday on FB and its always great to read through them all. Lovely cards and gifts from some special friends ranging from fragrance, beautiful flowers and afternoon tea for 2 at Aqua Shard β€ FT catch up with Mandie, Thora, Cynthia, Karen and loads of messages from so many of you. I really thank all of you for your kind words, messages, thoughts and prayers. I am humbled at the outpouring of love and support, now and always.
Tomorrow it’s back to work but first the gym, got to try and work off these steriods and try and fit some workouts in while I feel good and strong enough. Thanks for reading and love to all X

Mark I am so excited for you !!! we are so happy for you and Nathan. So much to organise it will be perfect of course.πΈπΎππ You are doing brilliant and still look amazing !!! Saying lots of prayers for you to beat this thing lots of love and respect for you from us both xxxππ
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Ah Pammy thanks we are so pleased to have found a place we know is perfect and everyone else will β€ too! Not bad for a 51 year old boy, hanging in there! Prayers accepted and love to you both XXX Mark
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Mark, We love reading your blog. You, Nathan and Bentley always manage to do so much every weekend. We looked up the wedding venue online and it is absolutely stunning. You both have so much to look forward to. We are so very happy and excited for you. It was lovely to see on Friday. You are doing amazingly well and looking so good too. The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love and you certainly have lots of both. Lots of love, Mon, Reg and the girls xx
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Thanks for your lovely words they really mean so much to me and us. We try to do as much as we can every weekend as that is when we can be together. We make every moment count. Xxx Mark
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Yay!!! How exciting you’ve found the most fabulous wedding venue π©πΎπ you deserve nothing less. I’m loving your big Smiles in these pics. You are truly an amazing guy Mark, to keep so upbeat and busy with everything you’re going through. Although I know Nathan plays a huge part in this, your rock, soulmate and best friend. I know he means the absolute world to you, I’m so glad you have each other π
On another note, 51? Are you sure? I don’t believe that π³ Happy belated birthday to you ππ π π Sending you big hugs π€ xx
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Hey Donna, yes it’s the most amazing place for our special day…well weekend at this point π I am not sure I could be the way I am without Nathan in my life. You just know when you find the one. Yep 51! It just creeps up on you and boom! Thanks for the birthday wishes and huge hugs right back at you XX
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OMYG! you have found a venue! Fantastic … must check it out on line!
May I ask what date has been set? π ….
I CANNOT wait to meet Vanessa and have a drink or two, three or maybe a few more! She sounds like an amazing and fun lady!
It is just wonderful to know that you have Nathan, Bentley and your future in-laws, Vanessa and Bryn in your life! What an amazing little family you have around you π A real comfort for one that is so far away and not there to hug you and tell you how awesome you are!!!! in persona that is!! LOL!
Also, I think I may have to start a collection fund for “More Balls for Bentley Boy” … he goes through them like lollies!
Keep strong my friend and don’t forget .. You Rock!
Love and hugs to you from my mummy and I ..xxxxxx Great to see her piccie here on the blog! she is super cool this lady and I cannot wait for you to meet her π
With loads of love, hugs and kisses
Yours KJ
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Hey my gorgeous KJ yes we did find a venue and its awesome. The date is May 11, 2019 so plenty of notice π I’m counting on you to be there too! You and the in laws will get on like a house on fire!
I think you are right about Bentley, he just goes through them like lollies! Hilarious! He will be the ring bearer of course so he is a VIP!
You and your mum rock KJ and I look forward to meeting her one day too! Love you loads XXX Mark
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