Day 24, Stage 18
Annecy Time Trial, 40.5km
Video Diary
At last, a short flat stage. The 40.5km ride around the lake at Annecy was a really nice ride and will be a good time trial circuit for the real tour.
In the afternoon we went back to complete the final two climbs from yesterday. The weather was a bit better and we actually enjoyed the afternoon even though I thought the start of the first climb was the steepest and hardest of the tour thus far.
We haven’t attacked the Alps with as much gusto and energy as we attacked the Pyrenees but after 2,500km in the legs and an average of 5 hours sleep per night our verve has been sapped and we are just looking forward to putting the Alps behind us and getting to Paris.
Crohn’s Fact
For reasons that are not yet clearly understood, Crohn’s is largely a disease of the developed world. Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis are reported to be more common in urban than in rural areas, and in northern than in southern climates.
Crohn’s Profile
Name: Brylie
Age: 34
Lives: Sandringham, Victoria, Australia.
Age of Diagnosis: 25
My Story: As a 25 year old woman who had just had her appendix removed due to uncomfortable stomach pain and inflammation, you can just imagine my surprise when I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and had undergone that major operation for no reason!! Over the past 9 years I have had “Flare Ups” that have resulted in weeks of pain and discomfort and hospital visits on a drip to replace fluids and excessive amounts of weight lost. Understandably this causes so much worry for friends and family.
I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones though as I have always had mild “flare ups” and have never required surgery. Over the years I have managed my Crohn’s with a trial of different drugs to find which is best for me. In the last few years, I have been lucky enough to have been diagnosed with Crohn’s related Arthritis as well which means finding the right medication to tackle both at the same time. I tried many tablet form medications but that wasn’t working for me. I was then put on Methotrexate (Chemo Drug) which is injected into the muscle of the arm which my wonderful husband learnt how to give to me weekly. This was painful and not fully effective. I was then put onto a trial drug called Humira which is injected into the tummy and not the muscle so was not as painful. This seemed to work really well.
My story has changed dramatically in the last 12 months. I had to go off the drugs completely before getting “Up the Duff”! So through perseverance and lot’s of nagging my gastroenterologist, I was given the go ahead through a maintenance programme of Prednisolone. I am currently on my journey to becoming a Mummy as we are expecting our little bundle of joy in August.
Since becoming pregnant, I have felt amazing and my Crohn’s and Arthritis has completely disappeared. I have joked to my husband that I am going to have to have 24 children as pregnancy agrees with my body! (It is only a joke honey). I hope one day, scientists can bottle the relaxens and endorphins the body releases in pregnancy and turn them into a Crohn’s medicine!!
Watch this space…..
My message: Unfortunately Crohn’s Disease isn’t a widely known or recognised Disease and doesn’t have the funds behind it to research a magic cure! What Damian is doing for the thousands of Crohn‘s sufferers is truly remarkable. I would encourage everyone to dig deep and give to his outstanding effort and help him bring this rarely spoken of disease into the minds and hearts of Australians.
Today’s images can be viewed here
Sponsor Profile:
Sponsor Name: Altered Images
Sponsor Level: Project Partner
Sponsor Website: http://www.alteredimages.com.au/
Ian van der Wolde (M.Photog.) established Altered Images Photography in 1986 after recognising the need for a quality professional photography service in the South Eastern suburbs.
Establishing a reputation for creativity, quality and value and a recognised leader in high quality digital photography and colour management, Ian’s market rapidly spread Australia wide.
Ian is in demand as speaker and teacher for other professional photographers and is invited to speak regularly on digital workflow & colour management.
Ian holds a Certificate of Illustrative Photography and is a Master and Accredited Member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP).
Altered Images offer a full ICC compliant workflow on location or in the Studio.
