Bondy 4 Brains

Ironman? DONE!

2011-09-12T15:38:00.000+02:00

Yep, after a 9-month build-up, I have managed to complete an Ironman triathlon in Almere, The Netherlands on 27-Aug 2011!

Bondy crossing the finish line, figuring out exactly where he was going to collapse

It was a windy and rainy day which didn't help much 3.8km swim and 180km cycling stages, but at least the temperature was ok - 17-19 degrees. I finished the swim in 1:20 which was my target time.

Bondy keeping those wheels spinning

The cycling stage also went very well. I tried to keep above 30km/hr the whole way, but with the wind I came in just under 30km/hr for my average speed. I finished the cycle stage in 6:09.

I felt good in the first of 3 (14km) laps in the marathon, but at the start of the second lap I ground to a halt. No petrol in the tank. At the next drink station I had a banana and a sultana roll as well as a few drinks and then I saw Claire, Jake and Rik there to spur me on. I was back on track!!!

Bondy heading for the finish line

Soon after Mikey B and Willem arrived and they had both done the Austrian Ironman in 2010, so knew how I was feeling.

Bondy relying on his eyebrows to get him there

I managed to finish the marathon run (42.2km) in 5:24, giving a total time of 12:53 - 7 minutes ahead of my target finishing time!

So surprised and relieved to have completed it. NEVER AGAIN!!!!

Ironman, here I come!

2011-07-17T13:26:00.012+02:00

OK, high and lowlights from the last 18 months are as follows:

- Claire gave birth to a bonny bouncing boy. Jake is 15 months old now and figured out how to walk

- 2010 Amsterdam marathon 2nd attempt - finished in 4:18:03

- Made it into the Dutch national touch rugby team for the 2011 world cup

- Injured my ankle 2 days before departing for the world cup, so couldn't even go as a spectator

- 03-Jul-2011 - Nuenen 1/8 triathlon - 500m swim (10:20), 20km bike (44:15) 10km run (pulled out as my ankle was not 100% [at which point I was in position 46/92]

- 16-Jul-2011 - Klazienaveen Olympic distance tri - 1.5km swim (29:05), 43km bike (1:21:03) and 10km run (54:09) giving a total time of 2:47:50 [my target was 2:50]

Photos from Klazienaveen:

The swim was in a canal that was 'cleaned out' the previous day

Note the reverse panda eyes thanks to the crap in the canal water

Grinding it out for the finish line!

Hopeful Highlights to come this year:

- 07-August - 1/2 Ironman triathlon (1.9km swim, 90km bike, half marathon)

- 27-August - Full Ironman (3.8km swim, 180km bike, marathon)

- 18-Sep - Dam 2 Dam run (10 mile)

- 16-Oct - Amsterdam marathon

Marathon box checked...with a pencil

2010-01-08T07:39:00.003+01:00

Yes, yes, yes, it's been a while since I last confessed to the masses, but given that it is the start of a new decade, what better time to turn the information tap back on once again to give to a drink of Bondy madness!

I did manage to complete my first Marathon here in Amsterdam in 2009

...with no training

Yes, I had a lot of things happening at the time that meant I wasn't able to train, but figured I would just give it a crack anyway. A crack was involved, and I believe it was the sound of me hitting 'the wall'

'They' say that everyone hits the wall around the 30-35km mark of the 42km marathon, but for me it all turned to custard at around 25km, meaning that I was in a world of pain for the remaining 17km. Click here and put in bib number 2400 to see how bad it was.

So for 2010, the targets are:
- Rerun the Amsterdam Marathon in less than 4 hours
- Drop to 85kg (currently 93kg)
- Last, but definitely not least -> Have a baby boy!!! Yep - Claire is 6 months preggers and due on April 11!!!

He's baaaaaaaack...

2009-04-04T18:47:00.005+02:00

That's right one and all - Bondy is back!!

After the long, cold winter, I am hairier than ever, but it simply adds some wind resistance to the training program.

On that note, I am doing some pre-season training at the moment here in Amsterdam, biking 150-170 km, running 10-12 km and swimming 2km per week.

All of this to get prepared for more triathlons, and possibly a marathon...

Watch this space - Captain Insano is alive and kicking!!!

Monaco?? Done and Dusted!!!

2008-09-09T14:06:00.002+02:00

I can now say without a word of a lie, that I have completed the Monaco Ironman 2008 triathlon! My finishing time was 6:52:28

This posting is just a brief account, as post-race, physical activities such as typing require maximum exertion. I will update with more photos in the coming days.

The 1.9km swim took a bit longer than I had hoped, finishing in 52:28. For those who haven't experienced it, think of it as being in a giant saltwater bathtub with giant kicking sardines.

Some improvements were needed in the 90km cycle. The course climbed to 1500m, including a 22km climb to start off with. I completed the cycle leg in 3:36:15, passing 158 of my fellow competitors.

After the cycle, I started into the half marathon (21.1km) run. By this time, the temperature was 30 degrees, and the run circuit involved a hill that needed to be traversed 5 times in total in order to complete the race. While there certainly wasn't any records broken by finishing the run in 2:12:55, I didn't walk at all.

Claire and I with our gang signs - Spock from me, and the number 2 from Claire

Overall I am very pleased with how the race went, and very happy to have this as a starting point for triathlons in other exotic locations - that's right, to coin a phrase from Arnold Schwarzenegger -

I'll be back!

Monaco, Here I Come!

2008-08-11T22:11:00.008+02:00

The next step in my build-up for Monaco, was a triathlon on Texel island here in Holland. Click this link to see where the race was:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=texel+holland&ie=UTF8&ll=53.130294,4.879303&spn=0.34442,0.878906&z=10&iwloc=addr

This triathlon was a 1km swim, followed by a 40km cycle and a 10km run. The sea swim was relatively peaceful without inflicting or receiving any open wounds, and I left the water in the middle of the pack.

In the 40km bike stage, I improved by 10 places, with 3 people receiving a yellow card (a penalty where they need to stop and start) for slip-streaming behind me.

There was a massive head-wind for 8km of the 20km cycle circuit which made it a bit more difficult, but at least it was difficult for everyone who wasn't trying to sneak along in my fart zone.

In the run, I felt a lot better than I did in my first triathlon, and gained another 4 places.

I finished the race in 2:38:36 - a time that I was pleased with.

I feel a lot more confident now, and I can't wait to get to Monaco!!!

Blood and Guts

2008-07-23T19:57:00.005+02:00

Just when you thought I had finished with all the blood and guts, it has returned. For those of you who don't handle blood, I wouldn't look at the photos that follow...

Half-way through a 40km bike ride on my way to work on Monday morning, a car pulled out directly in front of me, giving me no choice but to harpoon the drivers side, and take a bite out of the roof of the car. This was the result...

After a spontaneous manifestation of Tourette syndrome, I got a ride home from the police officer that we had called.

I went to the hospital, and got two stitches to hold my bottom lip together, and then went to the dentist to get my front teeth fixed.

Two days later, and I was back training today with a 5km run @ 4:30/km and have a number of cliches that suit my situation, such as...

Anything that doesn't kill you, just makes you stronger

and

Bones heal, and chicks dig scars!

Triathlon debut

2008-07-20T18:10:00.005+02:00

Nederhorst mini-triathlon was my debut into the world of triathlons. It was a 500m swim, followed by a 20km cycle and a 5km run. On paper this is like a 'jog in the park' compared to my Monaco Ironman race in September, but certainly required a lot more work than that!

There were a few hurdles for me personally, including being one of three out of the 200+ competitors who didn't have a wetsuit to swim in. For those of you who don't know, a wetsuit makes a major difference in buoyancy, and consequently in speed. Also having the tail-end of the flu didn't help. That said, far am I from making excuses - the race went well. I finished at position 69 with a time of 1 hour 15 minutes, 30 seconds.

My cycling shirt on the day from Tui - my favourite beer back in New Zealand - has a great graphic on the back that really was the best in the race...

I look forward to making improvements in my transitions and extending my triathlon experience in my next mini-triathlon on the Dutch island Texel on August 9th. It is a 1.0km swim, 40km cycle and a 10km run. I can't wait!

A Step Into The TV World

2008-07-04T08:27:00.010+02:00

Until now, I have been one of the presenters on the Thursday edition of the English Breakfast radio show from 7-9am from Monday to Friday. It is the only English language radio show broadcast here in Amsterdam, and has an audience of both foreigners and locals. It has always been great fun, but now there has been an entirely new dimension added...

TV!!

That's right, the show is now televised on channel A1 and live on the internet, with an archive of the last month of shows kept on-line. To check out my first televised show, click this link:

http://www.salto.nl/streamplayer/tv/amsterdam_1_live.asp

Also, there was a full-page article published recently in the national edition of the Metro newspaper here in Holland. With a circulation of 560,000, there are a lot of people who were able to see the story behind Bondy 4 Brains.

Although I am trying to get rid of the flu this week, it hasn't stopped me from training. I had an interesting day of training this week where I found a new swimming pool to train in. It is a little busy as people also like to take their boats out in it for a spot of rowing.

Amsterdamse Bosbaan

It is the Amsterdamse Bosbaan - an 8-lane rowing lake used for rowing competitions including world and European Championships.

After speaking to some of the locals, I found out that lane 3 is the best to swim in, as it is the recognised 'no-rowing lane' in order to avoid collisions. This was very good to know, as I don't want to become a speed-bump for Rob Waddell, the New Zealand rowing legend on his next training day in Holland!

Get A Haircut Or Get A Real Job

2008-06-22T22:01:00.004+02:00

Bondy in a Beige Brigade shirt with a beige Jeep found in Amsterdam

I was in London this weekend, and sporting the New Zealand supporters uniform - the beige brigade shirt, went to a local pub to watch New Zealand (a.k.a The All Blacks) play England. The manager of the bar was charging 5 pound on entry, and as he was of course English, was not happy that his team was being well and truly beaten by the mighty All Blacks.

There was some light-hearted comments made by all about the relative performance of each team, and as he must have become frustrated, asked me a question loud enough so all could hear:

Bar manager: 'So, did they give you a short back and sides?'
Bondy: 'No, it is a radiation haircut'
BM: 'what????'
Bondy: 'I had a brain tumour the size of a tennis ball, as you can see from the scar, and 6 weeks of radiotherapy, which is how I got my hair cut'
BM: '...'
Bondy: 'and....you have no comeback???'
BM: '....'
[at which point the bar burst out laughing at the bar manager]

A great lead-in to the 44-12 victory to the All Blacks.

In the triathlon world, I am entered in the Nederhorst triathlon here in Holland on July 6th, which is a 500m swim/20km cycle/5km run. This is much shorter than the Monaco Ironman, but will be a great warm-up race. I also have another lead-in triathlon on 9 August on the island of Texel which is 1000m swim/40km cycle/10 km run. I can't wait to see my training come to fruition!

Incredible Hulk or Ironman?

2008-06-18T21:17:00.013+02:00

The conflict within

After seeing the two great movies The Incredible Hulk and Ironman, I am left wondering whether or not this is an internal conflict that is happening within me since my brain operation in December and the 6 weeks of radiotherapy that followed.

My similarities to The Incredible Hulk
- Exposure to radiation

- The Incredible Hulk's name on his birth certificate is David Banner. My name on my birth certificate is David Bond

My similarities to The Iron Man
- The use of machinery and apparel to achieve great speed and distance. For example, on Sunday, I biked 110km with an average speed of 30km/hr. With the help of a friend's wetsuit, I swum 2km on Tuesday, followed by a day that included 50km of cycling.

- I am competing in the Monaco Ironman race

It was hard to avoid the existence of this conflict given that a local clothing store is even selling underwear promoting it...

So it is still not clear which one of these superheroes is going to win the fight within me, but just to be on the safe side, take the advice of David Banner:

'Don't make me angry, you won't like it when I'm angry'

Stepping It Up A Notch

2008-06-08T20:33:00.007+02:00

As the Monaco Ironman race on September 7th draws closer, my triathlon form also continues to improve.

In swimming I was lucky enough to borrow a triathlon wetsuit from a friend of mine. Normally I would swim 1 km in 20 minutes, but with the wetsuit I swum 1 km in 17:30!

In running I am now running 4:20-4:30 min/km on a normal 10-15km run.

I was in Cesena, Italy last week for a good friend's wedding, and managed to get the opportunity to run up one of those fabled 'hills' that we don't have in Holland where I am based.

The monastery that overlooks Cesena (1733)

See the exact course that I ran by clicking the following link [be sure to click show elevation at the bottom of the map]:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/italy/47023-cesena-forlì-cesena/710564368321

My cycling is also coming along nicely with a 60km ride on Friday by myself - in true Ironman style - with an average speed of 30.2km/hr

RADIOTHERAPY COMPLETE!!!!!!

2008-05-22T15:02:00.004+02:00

Yeeeeeeuuuuuuuwwwwww beeeeeeeaaaaaauuuuuuutyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!

I have finally completed the 30-session radiotherapy program, and with no side effects apart from a slight glitch in the last week (see Burning A Candle At Both Ends below) and a new haircut, I am fine!!

Bondy's new haircut

I am still on training detox (again explained below) but will be back into my triathlon training on Monday.

I would like to thank the great team at the AMC hospital once again, and wish them all the best with future zapping sessions.

Bondy with the AMC radiotherapy team

Now it is onward and upward for me - so as boxing referee Mills Lane would say:

MONACO IRONMAN, LET'S GET IT ON!!

Burning A Candle At Both Ends

2008-05-21T16:51:00.004+02:00

[cue drum roll....]

RUMBATUMBATUMBATUMBATUMBATUMBATUBBATUBBA CHISHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

[that last bit was the cymbal]

Well, I have almost made it to the end of my preventative radiotherapy treatment schedule. I have had 29 treatments, and have only one more to go!!!!

This is where my ultimate plan has come into effect, and explains the picture above...

The candle is my total energy reserve

- One end of the burning candle is my radiotherapy

- The other end is my triathlon training

The basic logic is that I would try and concentrate on my triathlon training to have focus on something other than my radiotherapy treatment, and if it my health deteriorated, then I could taper my training down as and when necessary.

I told Dr Stalpers (my radiologist) about my theory early in my treatment schedule. His response was that I should not push myself too hard. I said that unfortunately, I can't not push myself hard. If I do something, I do it 110%. He said that he simply didn't have clinical proof that this was an advisable plan, but that didn't mean that it wouldn't work. It has.

I cycled 130km on Sunday in just under 4 hours (avg speed 30.8 km/hr). I had planned to rest on Monday, but instead played touch rugby for two hours. While it was great fun, it is the equivalent of doing 2 hours of wind-sprints. That night, I had a terrible sleep, and was feeling nauseous. I put myself on compulsory 'training detox' until the end of the week which in-effect stops one end of the metaphorical candle burning.

It worked really well, and I am back to feeling 100% today! I will be back into my training this weekend as long as I continue to feel 100%, and given that the radiotherapy end of the candle will stop burning tomorrow. WAHOOO!!!!

I got proof yesterday that I am in good physical shape as well - on my way home from my radiotherapy session, I was on the Metro (subway train). The train goes past the Amsterdam Stadium - the home ground of AJAX Football Club (Dutch equivalent to Manchester Utd). I was in shorts, a t-shirt and jandals (flip-flops for those who don't understand New Zealandisms), and a 14/15 year old boy approached me, and in a shaky voice asked (in Dutch):

Do you play for Ajax?

Locked and Loaded In Triathlon Mode

2008-05-15T00:00:00.008+02:00

After well and truly entering the home straight in my radiotherapy treatment schedule, my radiotherapist has been just as surprised as I have with the only symptom that I have exhibited being a new haircut.

In our weekly meeting, I told Dr Stalpers how I was actually starting to feel some muscle fatigue, although mentally I am feeling fine. He was listening intently, and making notes. I followed this up with...

'...and I have only swum 2km this afternoon on my way here...'

To which he immediately stopped writing, looked up and laughed out loud.

He said that my triathlon training before and during the radiotherapy treatment schedule has helped me to respond so well, with almost no noticeable side effects.

My triathlon training this week has increased in intensity, with a target training heartrate of 152 - 166 bpm. My schedule for this week is as follows:

Monday: REST!
Tuesday: 2km swim, 8km run
Wednesday: 60km bike
Thursday: 2km swim, 8km run
Friday: 50km bike
Saturday: REST!
Sunday: 120km bike

I am going to be competing in Monaco, but rest assured, I am not just there to make up the numbers!!

The Real Way To Get a Haircut

2008-05-07T00:20:00.004+02:00

Some guys get their hair cut with scissors, while some go for clippers. These are both widely considered the 'soft guy' approach. The real hard men get their hair cut by getting it shot off with radiation.

Following in the footsteps of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, I am now sporting a new haircut carried out using the radiation method...

Dr Jekyll

Mr Hyde

Since receiving this new haircut, I have noticed a marked improvement in my surfing, electric guitar-playing and cage-fighting skills.

After an intermittent triathlon training week last week thanks to Queens Day and a twisted ankle sustained while playing touch rugby, it is back to full steam ahead this week:

Monday: 75 km bike

Tuesday: 15 min swim (cut short thanks to a crowded pool with one other guy swimming down the lane as though he was an octopus), 60 min run

Wednesday: 50km bike

Thursday: 45 min swim, 35 min run

Friday: 120 min bike

Saturday: 60 min run

Sunday: REST!!!!

Queen's Day!!!!

2008-04-28T15:42:00.009+02:00

To celebrate me reaching the half-way point in my radiotherapy treatment schedule, Queen Beatrix (a.k.a. Queen Beer Tricks) put on a party for me, calling it Queen's Day.

Amsterdam has a population of 700,000 and an EXTRA 600,000 people came along from outside of Amsterdam to join in the celebrations. Here are a few snapshots from the big day...

Bondy trying on some clothes from a second hand sale

A local dog keeping an eye on proceedings

Andy, Kim and Bondy keeping it serious

Bondy, Luke James and Freddie

Sugar, Willows, JC and Matt

Jimmy and Lumpy

Michelle and Maaike

Emily, Renske, Conrad, Vinnie at the Amstelveld

Jake and Bondy

Lumpy and Michelle

Claire and Mikey B

Claire and Bondy

Dave, Susan and Claire

Jenny and Bondy

Bondy, James and Sophie

Freddie and Maaike

Bondy, Luke and Sophie

The Bondy Food Pyramid

2008-04-28T15:37:00.010+02:00

Through my unique situation of being part of the radiotherapy patient community as well as the triathlon community, it has been necessary to develop a unique nutritional approach which I would like to unveil:

The Bondy Food Pyramid

Pyramid foundation: Ice Cream
After each radiotherapy treatment, enjoy a Swirl. A Swirl is a large cup of soft serve ice cream, with syrup and toppings of your choice mixed in.

Swirl

The nutritional value of this food is clear. The energy required to bring ice cream up to core body temperature is more than the energy contained in the ice cream itself. Therefore by eating ice cream, you actually lose weight.

Pyramid middle layer: Broodje Harring
A broodje harring, or herring roll in English is a raw herring in a white bread roll with onions and gherkins.

a Broodje Harring

The nutritional value of a broodje harring is also clear. The carbohydrates in the bread provides basic energy building blocks for day-to-day life. For those who would question the nutritional value of raw fish - 127 million Japanese can't be wrong!

Top of the pyramid: Beer
As beer is at the top of the pyramid, it should only be consumed in moderation, but if you have not consumed beer during the week, you must consider it a commitment to your personal health to 'catch-up' on the beer consumption you have missed out on.

On that note, I have officially made it to the halfway point in my radiotherapy treatment, having completed 15 treatment out of the total of 30. This is the same as making it halfway through a 6-pack.

15 treatments down, 15 to go!

Like 2 Beers Down Out of a 6-pack, So Are The Days of My Life

2008-04-22T18:15:00.001+02:00

...and then there were four

With 10 out of the total 30 required radiotherapy treatments complete, everything is going well. Once again, to draw the comparison with a six-pack of Tui - it is like having 2 down, 4 to go.

After a 70 km cycle last night, a 5km run today, a 2km swim tomorrow morning, and another 70km cycle tomorrow night, I think it is still safe to say that I am fit as a fiddle!

Hot On The Heels of Lance Armstrong

2008-04-20T12:49:00.000+02:00

Just to clarify, being hot on the heels of Lance Armstrong does not mean having any of my private parts removed!

After a full week of radiotherapy, everything is coming along nicely. On Wednesday, I went for a 70km bike ride with some cycling mates, keeping an average speed of 30km/hr.

But, most importantly, if gave me a great excuse to wear Lycra!

Claire with Bondy in cycling costume

...and Then There Were 25

2008-04-15T22:09:00.000+02:00

5 treatments completed so far, and 25 to go, 16.7% complete, or perhaps an easier way to think of it is...

Radiotherapy treatments completed to date

...one beer down from a 6-pack.

On Monday mornings, I also have an appointment with the radiologist. He told me before my first radiotherapy treatment that there was no growth seen from the possible piece of remaining tumour in my most recent CT scan (See Radiotherapy Q & A). In his words, this is VERY good news. It is very common to see tumour growth in such a CT scan if the tumour is agressive.

My tumour is clearly sitting there dormant while we nuke it. I'm not sure yet whether to call it Nagasaki or Hiroshima...

3 treatments down, 27 to go...

2008-04-12T07:40:00.000+02:00

After already completing 10% of the radiotherapy treatments, things are going very well. The worst day was the first, and that was simply having a strange feeling in my stomach. It was just like eating an omelette made from eggs that were a day or two past their best. Not green smelly eggs with legs of their own, but just a little suspicious.

After the second treatment, I went to the gym for an hour and a half, and after the third, ran for 20 mins. The link below is a summary of my runs so far using a new Nike + iPod thingy that clips to your running shoe and says how far/fast you go. Check the run from 11 April - after my third treatment:

http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/?l=runners,runs,686262129,runID,618730168

Also, the Dalai Lama will be getting a new mate in the hair department. After mentioning it to him, he was stoked. We had a big yarn about it, and now I simply know him as Dazza. I sent him a photo of how my hair used to look back in 1994, just for a laugh...

Bondy in 1994

Dazza thought this was pure comedy...

Dazza's reaction

By Dazza getting a mate in the hair department, I mean I will lose a band of hair from one ear to the other, going via my forehead. One side will lose more than the other, and my eyebrows should be safe, but time will tell.

The good news is, I won't need to shave my forehead any more!!

The Photon Torpedo

2008-04-09T18:22:00.000+02:00

Note from Bondy: With no time to add a post to the blog, I have simply taken an excerpt from Captain Kirk of Star Trek fame...

The Enterprise

Captain's log, stardate 9 April, 2008...

Starfleet has informed us of a possible residual tumour presence within the galaxy known as Bondy. We went straight to the galaxy at a speed of warp 9. Our head engineer Scotty did struggle with this, stating quite clearly "Cap'n! I canna meck eet go enne fastarrrr!", but
warp 9 got us there in plenty of time.

The photon torpedo device

We found that in the said galaxy, there was a device that would enable us to launch a photon torpedo at the potential tumour presence. It worked on the Klingons, so it would work on a tumour.

Cloak mechanism

The head constellation of Bondy galaxy was covered with an elaborate cloak mechanism, that included a clearly marked target. Almost too easy...

At my command, The Enterprise launched five photon torpedoes at different angles. Four of them for a duration of less than ten seconds, and one for approximately 25 seconds, and it was as simple as that. I watched to see the path of the torpedoes...

Captain James T Kirk

Upon closer inspection of Bondy, everything seemed in order. Symptoms close in similarity to a very minor hangover were not enough to stop Bondy from playing touch rugby for two hours the night after the treatment.

[End of Captain's log]

Radiotherapy Q & A

2008-04-07T21:23:00.000+02:00

Claire and Bondy

My lovely lady Claire and I met with Dr Stalpers my radiologist some time ago, and I sent him an email recently to clear up some questions about radiotherapy:

- What is the treatment called? Radiology? Radiotherapy? Radiation treatment?

The treatment you will receive is radiotherapy, more precisely: high precision conformal external beam radiotherapy. In case you went on googling: we do not give stereotactic radiotherapy (gamma-knife or linac-based SRT) which is only applicable in very small, well demarked, round tumors.

- Are there any dietary supplements that I can take to stimulate brain growth/regeneration?

No, there are no specific dietary needs or prescriptions. Just make sure that you eat a varied meal.

- Can you please (once again) explain the cancer logic? Radiotherapy introduces some risk of cancer, but it is better than the alternatives.

Yes, there is a small risk that radiation causes cancer in the long run (a few % above the normal population risk of 50% !!!), but the risk that regrowth of the atypical meningioma will hit you at short term (within 1-2 years) is much higher.

- After treatment, will I emit residual radiation?

No, you will not be radioactive after radiotherapy (only during the actual treatment).

- I understand it is normal to feel a little nauseous approximately 2 hours after treatment. How long does this nausea usually last for?

Some slight nausea is common, usually after the first few treatment, but is mostly mild, without loss of appetite or vomiting. Younger people experience more nausea than older people.

- Coffee and Alcohol can cause dehydration which in turn causes some swelling of the brain. Does this mean that I should avoid all coffee and alcohol during the treatment period, so that my brain does not move, making it more difficult to 'hit the target'?

Coffee and alcohol: modest amounts are not harmful. It does not make your brain 'move'. Smoking however is harmful!!

- Is the treatment I receive going to be a stream of protons, neutrons or electrons?

We will treat you with high energy photons (average photon energy between 6 and 10 megavolt; for comparison: a light bulb emits photons of 0.220 megavolt).

- Is there residual radiation that can collect in foreign objects such as clothing or jewellery?

No, nothing will become radioactive. Photons above ~20 megavolt may cause nuclear pair-formation that makes metals radioactive; the energy we use is well below that energy-level.

- I have had a CT scan on Monday to map the exact target, but not a further MRI scan since the one earlier in the year. Is the MRI scan recent enough to use to map the target location?

I had planned both a CT scan and an MRI on the same day, but for whatever reason the MRI-appointment went wrong. No problem: the CT-scan was quite sufficient to determin the target and did not show any sign of tumor regrowth.
_________________________________________________________________
It was great to have a little light shed on the treatment that will be starting on Wednesday 9 April, but nobody was as happy about it as our cat Steve:

Steve (and Bondy's foot in some good ol' Norsewear socks)

The English Breakfast

2008-04-03T21:53:00.000+02:00

The English Breakfast is the only English language breakfast radio show in Amsterdam, and it has a new Thursday morning presenter...you guessed it...me! It is live from 7-9am (6-8am GMT) on 99.4FM, and for those not in Amsterdam, you can listen live and also to past shows on http://www.englishbreakfast.nl/

In triathlon progress, my maximum cyling heartrate is 171 bpm, and my fat % is 8.8%. During the course of the day today, I cycled 45.5km, avg speed of 27.4km/hr, max speed 40.6km/hr and it took 1:40.

Even with all that training, it is just as important to stop, talk to people you have never met, and reflect upon life...

Great to see that the fundraising site for the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand has broken the NZD1000 mark, and the site for the Hersenstichting is closing fast!

The race is on!

The Mask

2008-03-31T21:15:00.000+02:00

I went back to the AMC hospital today to get prepared for my radiotherapy treatment.

I had a mask made for me that will hold my head in exactly the same position each time I have radiotherapy. See if you can pick which one is me...

They carried out a CT scan with the mask on so that they could literally mark a target on the mask for the radiologist to aim at. They injected a tracer so that they can see the bloodflow patterns during the scanning process. Almost too easy...

My first radiotherapy treatment will be on the 9th of April

The Garth Brown Testimonial Cricket Match

2008-03-30T05:42:00.000+02:00

On Saturday 29th of March, we gave Garth Brown an official send-off to London with a testimonial indoor cricket match.

Garth 'McKenzie' Brown and I (David 'Shane' Bond) were the two team captains, and it proved to be a real nail-biter.

In a 16-over innings, my team set the target of 98. Garth's team was hit hard by some great fielding, to be left with 50 runs required off 4 overs. In an unbelievable turn of events, they managed to do just that! If only Richie Benaud was there, he would have had the time of his life.

All of the lads made a healthy donation to the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand, bringing together a total of 180 Euro (NZD360). Check out the charity sites by following the links to the right of this blog to see how they are progressing.

Many thanks to Mike 'Whitney' Berry, who organised the event, and also did a great job of representing the beige brigade. Also a big thanks to Michael 'Mark' Taylor and the International School of Amsterdam for the use of their gymnasium.

Maximum Heartrate

2008-03-24T10:27:00.000+01:00

For the next phase in my training program for the Monaco Ironman, I need to find out my maximum heartrate for swimming, cycling and running.

As I was in New Zealand last week for a friend's wedding, I decided to find out my max HR for running, as there are great hills there that we do not have in Amsterdam.

I ran 5km up a steady incline, then straight up one of the steepest hills on my parents' farm until I could go no further.

I had a max HR of 192 beats per minute (which I counted while lying on my back after reaching my limit!)

It was great to visit home and touch base. Mum and Dad's cat Barry was happy to see me...

Dutch Fundraising Site Online

2008-03-21T11:55:00.000+01:00

For those of you who would prefer Dutch to English, I have set up the following fundraising webpage:

http://www.geefsamen.nl/bondy4brains

This is to fundraise for the Hersenstichting. All details are included on the site.

Now there is a competition between The Netherlands and New Zealand to see who can raise the most money!

English Language Fundraising Site

2008-03-17T10:57:00.000+01:00

The fundraising site for the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand is online at http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/bondy4brains

So go ahead and follow in my footsteps...

Bondy

Fundraiser!!

2008-03-12T22:45:00.000+01:00

I have found out about the possibility of doing the Monaco Ironman as a fundraiser. I am currently setting this up for both the Hersenstichting (Dutch Brain Foundation) and the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand.

I will post the details on this site when they are available. Feel free to email me at bondy4brains@gmail.com if you want me to let you know when either fundraising website has been completed. I expect to have them up and running within a week from now.

Preventative Treatment

2008-03-12T22:38:00.000+01:00

I found out over a month after the operation, that the tumour was benign ie. not cancer. This was great news!

They did find however in a follow-up scan that there was a small piece of remaining tissue. This was either scar tissue or leftover tumour. Just to be on the safe side, I am going to have preventative radiation therapy. If they simply left the tissue there to see if it grew, and then found that it was leftover tumour, they would have to operate once again, and take some brain tissue as well. I have grown very attached to my brain, so radiation therapy is the best option.

There is however some possible side effects including fatigue and hair loss. I will not have all my hair fall out as I would with chemotherapy, but I will get a semi-permanent bald spot on the left side of my head where the radiation enters, and a smaller bald spot on the right side of my head where it exits. Some friends and I were discussing this last week, and we came to the conclusion that I should put a bag of potatoes beside my head with each treatment, and have a bag of chips for the trip home!

I am still 110% intending to compete in Monaco, and will have medical clearance from the surgeon within three months of the Ironman. If I am not healthy enough at that point, I will compete the following year.

Back To The Real World

2008-03-12T22:22:00.000+01:00

I decided that I would retire from rugby as I cannot play for a year as my skull needs to heal properly. Being a lad from NZ, I needed something to fill the void, so I entered the triathlon world.

I am entering in the Monaco half Ironman http://www.monaco-ironman.com/

It is 1.9km swim, then 90km cycle followed by a 21.1km run (half marathon). It will take place on September 7th 2008.

I can already swim 2km without any problems, and I have bought an aluminium frame triathlon bike which I am getting more and more comfortable with as time goes on.

Running around a rugby field was always fun, but running the streets was not my idea of a good time. This has changed though as I have dropped 8kg, and am changing from the body shape of a front row forward to a triathlon nerd. I don't have so much to carry anymore, and I am following in Forrest Gump's footsteps.

The Recovery

2008-03-12T22:11:00.000+01:00

I ended up returning home after 6 days. On Christmas Day, I was able to work for 4-5 hours on our new house without running out of energy, I rode my bike (a very important step in Amsterdam) and I had my first beer - and words cannot describe how good it tasted!!!

The Operation

2008-03-12T22:02:00.000+01:00

Due to my age, and the fact that my tumour was so large, I was scheduled for an operation 6 days later on December 14th. They told me that there was a chance that I could lose some or all nerve connections to the right side of my body. They also said that the operation would take 5 hours.

As it was only 6 days until the operation, I was not overly concerned, as I felt that although it would be very difficult to deal with if I lost the feeling on the right side of my body, I would not worry unless it happened.

I went under for the operation, and I found out afterwards that it ended up being 12 hours long due to a complex blood vessel structure in the tumour. I remember the surgeon waking me up (1.5 hours after the operation) and asking me to wiggle all my fingers and toes, and they all moved!!! I was so relieved, and so thankful to the surgeon.

I did however look a little worse for wear...

Once upon a time...

2008-03-12T21:51:00.000+01:00

I am from New Zealand, but have been out of the land of the long white cloud for about five years now. The last 3.5 years, I have been living here in Amsterdam in Holland, the land of the clogs.

All was going very well indeed until 8 December 2007. I woke up with a huge headache, and although I had cosumed a few beers the night before, it was not a hangover. I have had a total of about 5 headaches in my entire life, and none had ever compared to this.

My girlfriend Claire took me to the hospital, and after a CAT scan, they informed me that I had a brain tumour in my front left lobe the size of a tennis ball.