How signing up to the London to Brighton cycling challenge supported Adrian’s recovery
Friday 20 June 2025
Over Christmas 2024, Adrian started experiencing mild diarrhoea. Just 12 days later, he found himself in hospital with a ruptured bowel and a bowel cancer diagnosis. Now he’s taking on the London to Brighton cycle ride with Paloma the stoma by his side.
Pedalling through the unexpected: my bowel cancer diagnosis
“I woke up in January with extreme abdominal pain. The pain began to get worse, so I called 111 for advice. They told me to go straight to A&E. I called my Dad, as I didn’t feel able to drive, and he came immediately.
“After a consultation with a doctor, I was admitted for surgery. I remember waving goodbye to my Dad, but that was my only memory before being brought round six days later in intensive care. Whilst in surgery, I contracted sepsis and the repair to my ruptured bowel had to be halted while the team treated the infection.
“When I was brought round from the sedation, I felt confused until a kind ICU (intensive care unit) nurse explained what had happened. I was in total disbelief when she told me I now had a stoma after my surgery.
“The ward nurses encouraged me to name my stoma. My daughter suggested Paloma, because it rhymed. During my two week stay in hospital I had various tests but wasn’t given a diagnosis.
“It wasn’t until I was home that I received a letter for an appointment with my consultant. In the appointment he explained what they’d found during the operation and that the tests they’d carried out identified it as bowel cancer.
“I felt devastated as soon as I heard the word ‘cancer’. It felt unreal, ‘only other people get cancer’ were my thoughts. It dawned on me on the way home from the consultation that I was going to have to break the news to my family, this was the point where I broke down. How could I tell them?”
From roads to recovery: learning to live with Paloma the stoma
“During my time in hospital, I had a visit from the stoma nurses. They taught me how to take care of my stoma. Before I left, I had to ‘pass a test’ to change my own stoma pouch without any help, I found this surprisingly easy and passed first time!
“After leaving hospital I had a visit from the stoma nurse who gave me further support. I soon got into a routine, but I wasn’t sure that I could return to going to football matches (toilets at the ground are a bit limited) or even return to the sports I loved, like cycling.
“This is where the Bowel Cancer UK’s website helped. I read lots of information about how to come to terms and cope with a stoma, diet tips, real life stories from others on the website and forums. The stories from others gave me real hope.”
Getting back into the saddle: signing up for the London to Brighton challenge
“I’ve cycled since I was 14 years old. Before my diagnosis, I’d cycled distances over 100 miles and raced in multiple events. So, I knew I wanted to return to cycling as soon as I felt well enough. Cycling is a great way to rebuild strength with low impact. I decided to start with gentle rides around my local area. However, every hill that I previously didn’t think was difficult, felt like a mountain. I set myself goals with the routes and distances and started to ‘tick them off’.
“I discovered the London to Brighton cycle ride on the Bowel Cancer UK website and it whetted my appetite as a challenge. The more I read about the event the more excited I got about it and signed up!
“One of the Events Team called me after registering. She was friendly and made me feel valued.
“I made a promise to God while I was recovering in hospital, to help others if I was saved. This is why I am taking part in helping Bowel Cancer UK, as the organisation helped me during my recovery. They’re a great resource for information and support.
“My advice to anyone who hasn’t had experience of riding any distance is to prepare well. Even though the distance prior to my surgery wouldn’t have been a problem to me, I am treating this distance and route with great respect as a challenge. Above all, look forward to the challenge and have a great day out!”
- Join our London to Brighton team
- Discover all our cycling fundraising challenges
- Support and information on living with and beyond bowel cancer
