A message from Del
Hi all,
Once again thanks for your constant support. This update is slightly different from our usual ones which normally include extracts from the book.
Jerry and I are often asked how we go about writing Del’s Story (this is not its confirmed name yet so any suggestions are more than welcome:)
We currently have around 40,000 words written and we are aiming for around 60,000 and to be finished by August 25 2009. We have covered a lot of my life up until now and are beginning research to find out whatever we can about any suspected link between being a sportsperson and developing MND.
So here is how we do it……..
Firstly neither of us has ever written a book before so we are kind of making up it as we go along. It seems we are doing ok so far because the feedback (which we love to get, good or bad) has been pretty positive.
Two to three times a week Jerry comes to our house and we record ourselves having a chat about pre planned subjects. Tonight we are talking about my relationship and love for Emma, previously on Tuesday we discussed my football coaching career.
Other subjects which represent chapters of the book have included dealing with my diagnosis, my daily struggle with MND, my football career and happy events like my wedding, holidays abroad and time spent with my friends and family.
This has been the way we have gone about it for the past four months.
Once we have finished the taping session Jerry goes back home, listens to it and then writes it up. Then we go over it together and make sure it’s accurate and makes sense.
This isn’t as easy as it sounds because I have a memory like a concussed goldfish with a bad hangover and Jerry has such a short attention span he’s like a kid with ADD who has binged on Coca-Cola and candy floss.
Sometimes our sessions are difficult because of the nature of what we are discussing. I think though it’s made easier because we’ve know each other more than 25 years and we often have a laugh reminiscing about events and people from the past.
Slowly but surely we are getting there.
We are still looking for a publisher and will be increasing our publicity efforts as we get nearer to having the book completed.
Thanks for reading and make the most of now.
Love Del.
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Things to do before I die
Hi All,
Below is a message from Del and the latest extract from the book.
Cheers,
Jerry
Hi,
Firstly thanks for all of your continued support and love.
We have had a couple of week’s break from working on the book. During that time I’ve been to Las Vegas with Em and some family and friends.
I also organised a day out for two coach loads of friends and family to the Derby in Epsom on Saturday. It went fantastically well and I think everyone had a great time, especially if you judge it by the amount of alcohol we got through.
I’m doing ok and although my arms might be giving up on me my will to carry on certainly hasn’t.
I’m glad to be focussed again on the book. We have a lot to do if we are to reach our target completion date of August 25 but we are confident we can do it.
Thanks again,
Del
Here is an extract from the book which follows on from Del’s diagnosis and how he put together a wish list of things he wants to see and do.
“That first month was unbelievably tough. I’d wake up very stiff and had to really concentrate just to get out of bed. This panicked me. Had the disease already spread to my legs? No one knew how quickly the disease would spread. I was staring into a dark tunnel not having a clue where it led.
Out of the darkness came hope in the simple form of a few scribbled bullet points on a piece of scrap paper that made up a short but powerful list.
A friend visited me and Em a week or so after Em proposed and asked me about things I’ve always wanted to do. And so my dream list came to life. I guess it was like one of those ‘Things to do before you die’ lists with one massive incentive. I know I ‘m dying and it really is now or never.
The list was full of simple treats and once in a lifetime adventures. A couple were in place already. My stag do at the Grand National race meeting was already booked for the beginning of April. It was just a few of my closest friends and I having a good drink and watching two days of horse racing. Em and I were getting married on May 29 and this weekend with the lads could not have come at a better time.
I’ve always wanted to go with a load of family and friends to watch the Derby meeting at Epsom. Because Em and I only wanted a small intimate wedding this Derby day out was a fantastic way of sharing our joy with friends and family who couldn’t be at the reception. With that and the stag do at Aintree everything was falling into place.
I’ve always dreamed of travelling across America. Through the unbelievable generosity of someone I’ve never met and still to this day not know who he is this dream became a reality to.
Some of the things on the list were not as grand.
These included having a weekend on a barge. When Em and I lived in Berkhamstead we’d often take walks on warm days along the canal that went through that lovely town. We’d stop off along our way for a quick drink in a pub called The Boat which sits on the banks of the canal. I use to marvel at the barges. Especially when I often saw the occupants of a few of them anchor down and pop in for a pint. I’ll have some of that I thought.
I’ve always enjoyed darts and have always thought a great night out would be to watch the World Darts Finals. Probably Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor playing some other bloke. That was who the final normally featured.
Horse racing featured prominently in my list. I’ve always enjoyed racing and love horses. My condition permitting I’d love to ride a horse, so riding one also went on the list.
The list gave me things to look forward to and events to plan and occupy my mind. It gave me a reason to keep on going, to keep fighting and to stave off the dark thoughts.
Another dream was to wake up on Christmas morning on a beach, somewhere hot, beautiful and peaceful. Again it was through the generosity of others that this dream came to life.
Also I want to visit the Lake District as many friends who have visited that region have told me how beautiful and peaceful it is. "
Del’s List
(X signifies I’ve achieved it).
Grand National at Aintree X
Derby at Epsom X X
World Darts Final
Ryder Cup
Lake District
Hire a barge for a weekend
Wake up somewhere hot on Christmas X
Travel around Ireland
Ride a horse X
Go from coast to coast in America. X
Visit Alcatraz X
Picnic in Central Park, New York X
Play roulette in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas X
Niagra Falls X
Watch Chicago White Sox X
See the Grand Canyon X
Thanks for reading.
Below is a message from Del and the latest extract from the book.
Cheers,
Jerry
Hi,
Firstly thanks for all of your continued support and love.
We have had a couple of week’s break from working on the book. During that time I’ve been to Las Vegas with Em and some family and friends.
I also organised a day out for two coach loads of friends and family to the Derby in Epsom on Saturday. It went fantastically well and I think everyone had a great time, especially if you judge it by the amount of alcohol we got through.
I’m doing ok and although my arms might be giving up on me my will to carry on certainly hasn’t.
I’m glad to be focussed again on the book. We have a lot to do if we are to reach our target completion date of August 25 but we are confident we can do it.
Thanks again,
Del
Here is an extract from the book which follows on from Del’s diagnosis and how he put together a wish list of things he wants to see and do.
“That first month was unbelievably tough. I’d wake up very stiff and had to really concentrate just to get out of bed. This panicked me. Had the disease already spread to my legs? No one knew how quickly the disease would spread. I was staring into a dark tunnel not having a clue where it led.
Out of the darkness came hope in the simple form of a few scribbled bullet points on a piece of scrap paper that made up a short but powerful list.
A friend visited me and Em a week or so after Em proposed and asked me about things I’ve always wanted to do. And so my dream list came to life. I guess it was like one of those ‘Things to do before you die’ lists with one massive incentive. I know I ‘m dying and it really is now or never.
The list was full of simple treats and once in a lifetime adventures. A couple were in place already. My stag do at the Grand National race meeting was already booked for the beginning of April. It was just a few of my closest friends and I having a good drink and watching two days of horse racing. Em and I were getting married on May 29 and this weekend with the lads could not have come at a better time.
I’ve always wanted to go with a load of family and friends to watch the Derby meeting at Epsom. Because Em and I only wanted a small intimate wedding this Derby day out was a fantastic way of sharing our joy with friends and family who couldn’t be at the reception. With that and the stag do at Aintree everything was falling into place.
I’ve always dreamed of travelling across America. Through the unbelievable generosity of someone I’ve never met and still to this day not know who he is this dream became a reality to.
Some of the things on the list were not as grand.
These included having a weekend on a barge. When Em and I lived in Berkhamstead we’d often take walks on warm days along the canal that went through that lovely town. We’d stop off along our way for a quick drink in a pub called The Boat which sits on the banks of the canal. I use to marvel at the barges. Especially when I often saw the occupants of a few of them anchor down and pop in for a pint. I’ll have some of that I thought.
I’ve always enjoyed darts and have always thought a great night out would be to watch the World Darts Finals. Probably Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor playing some other bloke. That was who the final normally featured.
Horse racing featured prominently in my list. I’ve always enjoyed racing and love horses. My condition permitting I’d love to ride a horse, so riding one also went on the list.
The list gave me things to look forward to and events to plan and occupy my mind. It gave me a reason to keep on going, to keep fighting and to stave off the dark thoughts.
Another dream was to wake up on Christmas morning on a beach, somewhere hot, beautiful and peaceful. Again it was through the generosity of others that this dream came to life.
Also I want to visit the Lake District as many friends who have visited that region have told me how beautiful and peaceful it is. "
Del’s List
(X signifies I’ve achieved it).
Grand National at Aintree X
Derby at Epsom X X
World Darts Final
Ryder Cup
Lake District
Hire a barge for a weekend
Wake up somewhere hot on Christmas X
Travel around Ireland
Ride a horse X
Go from coast to coast in America. X
Visit Alcatraz X
Picnic in Central Park, New York X
Play roulette in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas X
Niagra Falls X
Watch Chicago White Sox X
See the Grand Canyon X
Thanks for reading.
Monday, 18 May 2009
Magazine article & 3rd extract
Hi,
Below is an article about Del's Story that is being published in a magazine in the near future. It contains an extract from the book.
Thanks for reading.
Del & Jerry
Former England schoolboy international footballer Del Deanus was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in February 2008 aged 34 years-old. Together with his childhood friend Jerry Lyons he is writing a book about his football career, living with his illness and exploring whether there is a link between playing certain sports and developing MND.
Starts
Del Deanus was an outstanding young football player representing an England schoolboy team that starred Ryan Giggs and played for Tottenham Hotspur for four years.
When he was diagnosed with MND he wanted to find out as much as possible about the disease. However, he was frustrated to find there were not many books available and decided to do something about it.
Del, who lives in Welwyn, in Hertfordshire, said: “After the initial hammer blow of being told I was terminally ill I searched everywhere for books which would tell me more about MND. I wanted to understand what was happening to me and what to expect in the future.
“I only found one book which was written by an American man who has the illness. To be honest I couldn’t relate to it and that got me thinking about writing a book about my own experiences with MND. It’s not just a book about the illness and how my wife Emma and I are coping it will also tell my life story.
“I want to raise funds for the MND Association through the sale and sponsorship of the book when it’s eventually published. Also I want to raise awareness about the disease and I hope that it will be of help to people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.”
Since his diagnosis Del has got married, travelled coast to coast across America and compiled a wish list of things to do before he dies including visiting the Lake District and attending the Grand National race meeting at Aintree.
Jerry, who is a former journalist said: “I met Del more than 25 years ago when we were in the same primary school football team and we’ve been very good mates ever since. Del’s an inspiration to many people who know him and his courage in the face of this illness is remarkable.
“Far from being a story about a young man dying from a devastating disease Del wants it to inspire people to make the most of right now and live life to the full. We are aiming to have the book finished by the end of August this year.”
Here is an extract from Del’s book.
Being told you have a terminal illness is shattering but it does not need to be the end of your life. I have done more in the year after my diagnosis than in my 34 years prior to it.
It’s clichéd but you really do have to make the most of now. My first month after diagnosis was a daily fight to keep up the will to carry on. There were times when I wanted to drown my sorrows with alcohol and just get so drunk I’d forget everything.
I didn’t though as this would have left me feeling even worse the next day and could have been the start of a downward spiral that would speed up my death.
I knew how important it was to stick to a good routine rather than a bad one. It sounds obvious but I had to constantly remind myself.
Coming to terms with a terminal diagnosis, whether it is MND, cancer or any other life sentence is incredibly hard. There’s no getting away from the initial pain, tears, fear and depression.
Up to three times a day I’d feel absolutely terrible but you have to keep fighting, hanging in there like a boxer caught on the ropes.
At times I’d be angry. What had I done to deserve this? Then I would feel sad and depressed. There were lots of tears. Being around people helped, but it was when I was on my own that the darkness really fell and engulfed me.
Certain things got me through those dark, desperate spells. The first was probably acceptance. It does take time for the enormity of what you have been told to sink in but you have to accept it. There’s no point being in denial. Eventually, to coin a phrase from one on my doctors I decided to make the most of the bad hand fate had dealt me.
Secondly don’t be afraid to grieve, to cry, to scream. There’s no point going around pretending to be strong. You have just received the worse news possible so don’t hold it in. I originally thought that I couldn’t show I’m upset and kept up a strong appearance to others but looking back I didn’t have to or need to.
If you are feeling something, let it out just don’t bottle it up.
It’s really important to take the positives out of your situation. There really is always someone worse off out there. I think of Jade Goody. The poor girl was dead within a few months of her diagnosis leaving behind her two little boys. I really felt for her and her family.
My situation has at least given me more time with my loved ones. Having been given a life expectancy of two to five years it’s important that I and others in a similar circumstance make the most of those years. They could be the best ever.
Del and Jerry are very keen to hear from potential publishers of the book. All profits from the sale and sponsorship of the book will go to the MND Association.
To find out more about the book visit Facebook group Del’s Story and blog site.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=78641065667&ref=mf
http://delsstory.blogspot.com/
Below is an article about Del's Story that is being published in a magazine in the near future. It contains an extract from the book.
Thanks for reading.
Del & Jerry
Former England schoolboy international footballer Del Deanus was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in February 2008 aged 34 years-old. Together with his childhood friend Jerry Lyons he is writing a book about his football career, living with his illness and exploring whether there is a link between playing certain sports and developing MND.
Starts
Del Deanus was an outstanding young football player representing an England schoolboy team that starred Ryan Giggs and played for Tottenham Hotspur for four years.
When he was diagnosed with MND he wanted to find out as much as possible about the disease. However, he was frustrated to find there were not many books available and decided to do something about it.
Del, who lives in Welwyn, in Hertfordshire, said: “After the initial hammer blow of being told I was terminally ill I searched everywhere for books which would tell me more about MND. I wanted to understand what was happening to me and what to expect in the future.
“I only found one book which was written by an American man who has the illness. To be honest I couldn’t relate to it and that got me thinking about writing a book about my own experiences with MND. It’s not just a book about the illness and how my wife Emma and I are coping it will also tell my life story.
“I want to raise funds for the MND Association through the sale and sponsorship of the book when it’s eventually published. Also I want to raise awareness about the disease and I hope that it will be of help to people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.”
Since his diagnosis Del has got married, travelled coast to coast across America and compiled a wish list of things to do before he dies including visiting the Lake District and attending the Grand National race meeting at Aintree.
Jerry, who is a former journalist said: “I met Del more than 25 years ago when we were in the same primary school football team and we’ve been very good mates ever since. Del’s an inspiration to many people who know him and his courage in the face of this illness is remarkable.
“Far from being a story about a young man dying from a devastating disease Del wants it to inspire people to make the most of right now and live life to the full. We are aiming to have the book finished by the end of August this year.”
Here is an extract from Del’s book.
Being told you have a terminal illness is shattering but it does not need to be the end of your life. I have done more in the year after my diagnosis than in my 34 years prior to it.
It’s clichéd but you really do have to make the most of now. My first month after diagnosis was a daily fight to keep up the will to carry on. There were times when I wanted to drown my sorrows with alcohol and just get so drunk I’d forget everything.
I didn’t though as this would have left me feeling even worse the next day and could have been the start of a downward spiral that would speed up my death.
I knew how important it was to stick to a good routine rather than a bad one. It sounds obvious but I had to constantly remind myself.
Coming to terms with a terminal diagnosis, whether it is MND, cancer or any other life sentence is incredibly hard. There’s no getting away from the initial pain, tears, fear and depression.
Up to three times a day I’d feel absolutely terrible but you have to keep fighting, hanging in there like a boxer caught on the ropes.
At times I’d be angry. What had I done to deserve this? Then I would feel sad and depressed. There were lots of tears. Being around people helped, but it was when I was on my own that the darkness really fell and engulfed me.
Certain things got me through those dark, desperate spells. The first was probably acceptance. It does take time for the enormity of what you have been told to sink in but you have to accept it. There’s no point being in denial. Eventually, to coin a phrase from one on my doctors I decided to make the most of the bad hand fate had dealt me.
Secondly don’t be afraid to grieve, to cry, to scream. There’s no point going around pretending to be strong. You have just received the worse news possible so don’t hold it in. I originally thought that I couldn’t show I’m upset and kept up a strong appearance to others but looking back I didn’t have to or need to.
If you are feeling something, let it out just don’t bottle it up.
It’s really important to take the positives out of your situation. There really is always someone worse off out there. I think of Jade Goody. The poor girl was dead within a few months of her diagnosis leaving behind her two little boys. I really felt for her and her family.
My situation has at least given me more time with my loved ones. Having been given a life expectancy of two to five years it’s important that I and others in a similar circumstance make the most of those years. They could be the best ever.
Del and Jerry are very keen to hear from potential publishers of the book. All profits from the sale and sponsorship of the book will go to the MND Association.
To find out more about the book visit Facebook group Del’s Story and blog site.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=78641065667&ref=mf
http://delsstory.blogspot.com/
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Gazza and the mystery of the secret sniper
Hi,
Del spent four years as a schoolboy and youth team player at Tottenham Hotspur between 1988 to 1992.
During his time there he starred in the same team as Nicky Barmby, played next to Sol Campbell in the former England star's debut as a centre back and has many insider stories about life at White Hart Lane.
It was the era of Paul Gascoigne, Gary Lineker and Terry Venables. Gazza and his antics fill an entire chapter in Del's Story. Below is one story out of many that Del shares about Gazza.
"No matter what’s been written and said about Gazza I will always remember him as being one of the kindest, funniest and most generous people I have met in football. Especially when you consider what a legend of the game he is and what a huge star he was during his playing career.
His shooting skills extended further than the playing pitch as many of us apprentices found out to our discomfort.
One day one of the apprentices complained of being stung by something during a run at the training ground. At first we thought nothing of it then more and more players in our squad were getting ‘stung’ on the legs and body.
The secret stinger turned out to be Gazza. Somehow he got hold of an air rifle and wreaked chaos with it for a few days. He’d be hanging out of a changing room window sniping at us, taking pop shots whenever we got within range.
None of us apprentices would dare tell our coach Keith Waldren. Gazza was Gazza and even though he was using us for target practice everyone loved him.
Keith Waldren must have been scratching his head when we all turned out for training wearing full tracksuits with the collars turned up even though it was summer. The tracksuits provided protection against Gazza’s pellets. Whenever we were running near the changing room window where Gazza lay in wait we’d burst into sprints and zig zag.
Waldren must have thought his young team were losing their minds.
Somehow he found out about Gazza’s sharp shooting and confronted him. From what I heard Gazza took no notice and I think he even began including Waldren in the target practice.
It stopped when Terry Venables had a word with Gazza and pointed out to him it was dangerous.
Gazza wasn’t doing it to be spiteful he was just, in his own crazy way, having a laugh."
This is just one of a number of great stories in Del's book about Gazza. Others involve Gary Lineker, Pat Van Den Hauwe and Sol Campbell.
Thanks for reading and remember to tell your friends about this blog and the Del's Story Facebook page.
Make the most of right now.
cheers,
Del and Jerry
Del spent four years as a schoolboy and youth team player at Tottenham Hotspur between 1988 to 1992.
During his time there he starred in the same team as Nicky Barmby, played next to Sol Campbell in the former England star's debut as a centre back and has many insider stories about life at White Hart Lane.
It was the era of Paul Gascoigne, Gary Lineker and Terry Venables. Gazza and his antics fill an entire chapter in Del's Story. Below is one story out of many that Del shares about Gazza.
"No matter what’s been written and said about Gazza I will always remember him as being one of the kindest, funniest and most generous people I have met in football. Especially when you consider what a legend of the game he is and what a huge star he was during his playing career.
His shooting skills extended further than the playing pitch as many of us apprentices found out to our discomfort.
One day one of the apprentices complained of being stung by something during a run at the training ground. At first we thought nothing of it then more and more players in our squad were getting ‘stung’ on the legs and body.
The secret stinger turned out to be Gazza. Somehow he got hold of an air rifle and wreaked chaos with it for a few days. He’d be hanging out of a changing room window sniping at us, taking pop shots whenever we got within range.
None of us apprentices would dare tell our coach Keith Waldren. Gazza was Gazza and even though he was using us for target practice everyone loved him.
Keith Waldren must have been scratching his head when we all turned out for training wearing full tracksuits with the collars turned up even though it was summer. The tracksuits provided protection against Gazza’s pellets. Whenever we were running near the changing room window where Gazza lay in wait we’d burst into sprints and zig zag.
Waldren must have thought his young team were losing their minds.
Somehow he found out about Gazza’s sharp shooting and confronted him. From what I heard Gazza took no notice and I think he even began including Waldren in the target practice.
It stopped when Terry Venables had a word with Gazza and pointed out to him it was dangerous.
Gazza wasn’t doing it to be spiteful he was just, in his own crazy way, having a laugh."
This is just one of a number of great stories in Del's book about Gazza. Others involve Gary Lineker, Pat Van Den Hauwe and Sol Campbell.
Thanks for reading and remember to tell your friends about this blog and the Del's Story Facebook page.
Make the most of right now.
cheers,
Del and Jerry
Friday, 1 May 2009
"It's just the hand you've been dealt"
Hi,
On a regular basis we will be publishing extracts from Del’s Story via this blog. This is to raise awareness and publicity for the book before it is published.
Please let others know about this blog.
This first extract is from the opening chapter of Del’s Story. In it Del describes how a doctor told him the terrible news that he had the terminal illness Motor Neurone Disease.
Jerry.
“It’s just the hand you’ve been dealt.”
“It was on a cold winter’s evening after a painfully long day of waiting that I finally received the shattering news that me, my girlfriend Emma, my family and friends had all dreaded.
Good news would have been a trapped nerve or inflammation of the nerves, bad news would be a brain tumour and terrible news would be that I had MND.
At around 5:45 pm I was sitting in the four person ward watching TV when Dr Kidd and two of his assistants came in, drew the curtains and changed my life forever.
Dr Kidd was calm and sat down on my bed. Then he simply said: “You have Motor Neurone Disease, it’s a terminal illness.”
The words made my head spin. He carried on talking but I was incapable of taking it what he said. I remember the younger of his assistants, putting her arm around me and having tears in her eyes.
My first question was ‘well how long do I have?” Dr Kidd said: “Everyone reacts differently Del. 50 per cent of people die within 18 months of diagnosis. The other 50 per cent live between 2 -5 years.” I persisted “But what about me, what’s my life expectancy? How long do I have?”
Dr Kidd said: “You are young and fit, hopefully four years.”
I then asked why. What caused this? Have I done something wrong? I couldn’t believe it.
Just ten months before I had run the London Marathon to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Relief now I’m being told I’m dying. I used to go to the gym five times a week last year now this. To anyone who didn’t know what was going on I looked well.
In 2006 I went on a sponsored diet again to raise funds for MacMillan because I’d ballooned to 18 ½ stone and was heading for a heart attack. I managed to shed four and a half stone in less than five months through a strict diet and rigorous, some said insane, exercise plan.
I asked Dr Kidd was my disease caused by me doing too much training or dieting?
He replied: “It’s nothing you have done, we really don’t know what’s caused it. It’s simply the luck of the draw. It’s just the hand you’ve been dealt.” When he said that I thought of my late dad, Eric, who was a keen card player. I imagined him saying something like “what a bad hand that is son.”
The older assistant then asked if I wanted them to call my mum or Emma and tell them.
I said no, I’d do it. The thought of telling them the terrible news was what really got me upset. The older assistant said that we could have a meeting tomorrow with her where we could ask any questions, find out more about my illness and learn about the help available to me.
The doctors left and I was alone with a whirlwind of thoughts, feelings and fears.”
Another extract will follow soon.
Thanks for reading,
Del
On a regular basis we will be publishing extracts from Del’s Story via this blog. This is to raise awareness and publicity for the book before it is published.
Please let others know about this blog.
This first extract is from the opening chapter of Del’s Story. In it Del describes how a doctor told him the terrible news that he had the terminal illness Motor Neurone Disease.
Jerry.
“It’s just the hand you’ve been dealt.”
“It was on a cold winter’s evening after a painfully long day of waiting that I finally received the shattering news that me, my girlfriend Emma, my family and friends had all dreaded.
Good news would have been a trapped nerve or inflammation of the nerves, bad news would be a brain tumour and terrible news would be that I had MND.
At around 5:45 pm I was sitting in the four person ward watching TV when Dr Kidd and two of his assistants came in, drew the curtains and changed my life forever.
Dr Kidd was calm and sat down on my bed. Then he simply said: “You have Motor Neurone Disease, it’s a terminal illness.”
The words made my head spin. He carried on talking but I was incapable of taking it what he said. I remember the younger of his assistants, putting her arm around me and having tears in her eyes.
My first question was ‘well how long do I have?” Dr Kidd said: “Everyone reacts differently Del. 50 per cent of people die within 18 months of diagnosis. The other 50 per cent live between 2 -5 years.” I persisted “But what about me, what’s my life expectancy? How long do I have?”
Dr Kidd said: “You are young and fit, hopefully four years.”
I then asked why. What caused this? Have I done something wrong? I couldn’t believe it.
Just ten months before I had run the London Marathon to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Relief now I’m being told I’m dying. I used to go to the gym five times a week last year now this. To anyone who didn’t know what was going on I looked well.
In 2006 I went on a sponsored diet again to raise funds for MacMillan because I’d ballooned to 18 ½ stone and was heading for a heart attack. I managed to shed four and a half stone in less than five months through a strict diet and rigorous, some said insane, exercise plan.
I asked Dr Kidd was my disease caused by me doing too much training or dieting?
He replied: “It’s nothing you have done, we really don’t know what’s caused it. It’s simply the luck of the draw. It’s just the hand you’ve been dealt.” When he said that I thought of my late dad, Eric, who was a keen card player. I imagined him saying something like “what a bad hand that is son.”
The older assistant then asked if I wanted them to call my mum or Emma and tell them.
I said no, I’d do it. The thought of telling them the terrible news was what really got me upset. The older assistant said that we could have a meeting tomorrow with her where we could ask any questions, find out more about my illness and learn about the help available to me.
The doctors left and I was alone with a whirlwind of thoughts, feelings and fears.”
Another extract will follow soon.
Thanks for reading,
Del
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Introduction to Del's Story
On 25 February 2008 my close friend Del Deanus was diagnosed with the terminal illness Motor Neurone Disease aged just 34 years-old.
Since that devastating day Del has dealt with the cruel hand fate has given him with dignity, humour and inspirational courage.
Exactly a year after the diagnosis Del and I got together and began writing a book about his life, his football career and his experiences with MND.
We will also be exploring the possibility of a link between the disease and people who play sport at a high standard.
This blog will give you an opportunity to follow the progress of Del's Story.
To find out more about the disease please visit:http://www.mndassociation.orgThank you.
Hi,
This bloghas been set up to raise awareness of the devastating terminal illness Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Del and I are working together to write a book about his life living with MND and how he and his wife Emma are coping with the disease.
Del wants his story to raise awareness of the disease and to raise funds for the MND Association.
Please feel free to let your friends know about this blog.We will be posting regular updates on how the book is progressing.Here is a little background information on Del.
Del was an outstanding youth footballer who represented England schoolboys playing alongside Ryan Giggs and Nicky Barmby.He spent four years as a youth and apprentice player at Tottenham Hotspur during the era of Paul Gascoigne, Gary Lineker and Terry Venables.
The book contains some fantastic inside stories about life at the club during this exciting time.Injury cut short Del's playing career but he went on to have very successful spells in coaching and management with Southall, Northwood, Edgware Town and is currently co-manager of Welwyn Garden City FC.
Since his diagnosis Del has got married to his long term girlfriend Emma. He has travelled across America and is still working 14 months after his illness was confirmed.We began writing this book on February 25 2009, a year after Del's diagnosis. Our goal is to have it completed by 25 August 2009.This date will be significant because it will mark 18 months since Del's initial diagnosis.
The life expectancy of people with the disease is between two to five years with 50 per cent of sufferers dying within 18 months.Far from being a book about a young man dying our aim is to make it the story of someone whose fighting spirit will inspire others to make the most of life.
Thanks for reading and keep an eye out for updates.
Since that devastating day Del has dealt with the cruel hand fate has given him with dignity, humour and inspirational courage.
Exactly a year after the diagnosis Del and I got together and began writing a book about his life, his football career and his experiences with MND.
We will also be exploring the possibility of a link between the disease and people who play sport at a high standard.
This blog will give you an opportunity to follow the progress of Del's Story.
To find out more about the disease please visit:http://www.mndassociation.orgThank you.
Hi,
This bloghas been set up to raise awareness of the devastating terminal illness Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Del and I are working together to write a book about his life living with MND and how he and his wife Emma are coping with the disease.
Del wants his story to raise awareness of the disease and to raise funds for the MND Association.
Please feel free to let your friends know about this blog.We will be posting regular updates on how the book is progressing.Here is a little background information on Del.
Del was an outstanding youth footballer who represented England schoolboys playing alongside Ryan Giggs and Nicky Barmby.He spent four years as a youth and apprentice player at Tottenham Hotspur during the era of Paul Gascoigne, Gary Lineker and Terry Venables.
The book contains some fantastic inside stories about life at the club during this exciting time.Injury cut short Del's playing career but he went on to have very successful spells in coaching and management with Southall, Northwood, Edgware Town and is currently co-manager of Welwyn Garden City FC.
Since his diagnosis Del has got married to his long term girlfriend Emma. He has travelled across America and is still working 14 months after his illness was confirmed.We began writing this book on February 25 2009, a year after Del's diagnosis. Our goal is to have it completed by 25 August 2009.This date will be significant because it will mark 18 months since Del's initial diagnosis.
The life expectancy of people with the disease is between two to five years with 50 per cent of sufferers dying within 18 months.Far from being a book about a young man dying our aim is to make it the story of someone whose fighting spirit will inspire others to make the most of life.
Thanks for reading and keep an eye out for updates.
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