BRAD

Well, where do I start?

I cycled with Brad from Perth to Adelaide in 2003 on a Bike for Bibles Ride. The rest of the team went on to Hobart. There was a team of about 40 of us. He was a very likeable young bloke - and that's what Kathy thought too! So, he married the love of his life, young Kathy.

Soon after marriage, in 2004, he was diagnosed with cancer. He was about 25 years old.

They opened him up and removed a tumour and then followed that up with chemo. All looked good. Then they later discovered there was still a bit and suggested they open him up (chest) again. Brad decided against that. He began eating 25 apricot kernels a day as a way of treating the cancer.

The top photo shows Brad (and Kathy) on 2 September 2005 following chemo treatment. He's a bit bloated isn't he?

Middle photo shows the apricot seed and then on the right shows what's inside.... the kernels, after the seed's been split. They're like almonds only not quite as nice.

Brad is now eating about 20 a day! He grinds them up in a blender and I think adds juice to help the taste. Others just chew them up and have a juice to chase it down. Kathy is taking 5 a day to ward off any possible cancer.

Today Brad looks a million dollars! He's working, cycling, and praising God.

What's his secret? Apricot kernels, prayer and now a product he's quite keen on called Mannatech. It looks very interesting let me tell you. His doc says he's in remission. Brad says he's over it!

Anyone out there also tried the apricot kernels? Or Mannatech products?

Fay and I caught up with Brad and Kathy twice while we were in South Australia - once at David Andretzke's funeral in Adelaide (a fellow biker from the Perth to Hobart trip) and then a couple of weeks later in Berri, SA where they live. Got any other questions about young Brad? Or his treatment?

ADELAIDE PERTH TRIP

Departed Dubbo 20 March.
Visited Phil and Pam in Tumut. Folk from Moula days. Phil is the world’s greatest dentist and is now specialising in tooth implants. Pam (pictured) was recently chosen as the Citizen of the Year for Tumut. What an honour. Next time I’m there I’ll have to play table tennis against Phil, and that’s not going to be a pretty sight. He has been practising heaps. Phil’s an ex Hurlstonian and Pammow used to teach with Fay in Moula (when they were both single).
Next stop was Rutherglen where we attended a Rotary wine tasting night out at Morris Winery. Most enjoyable. Thanks Graham and Margaret. Graham is currently having treatment for prostate cancer. We went for a bike ride… just Graham and I. They are really involved in heaps of community related events and projects. He's also ex WWTC.
We then headed for Bendigo. Caught up with Anne and Alan on their property at Springhurst on the way. For someone who was diagnosed with cancer years ago, Anne is a real shining light. Taught with Anne in Sydney in 1965 (first year teaching for both of us.) I thought Anne was alright! (That means pretty cool). Now I think she’s fantastic! What a great faith they both have.
In Bendigo, we visited Roy and Nancy. It’s 15 years since Roy was diagnosed with Parkinsons. On Thursday night he was pretty “jumpy” which bugged him a bit. We go back a long way – Roy and Nancy and myself. I taught three of their four kids at a one teacher school called Niemur. And they’ve ll turned out pretty good! The third kid, Christine, has just become a grandmother recently! Strike I must be getting old!
On to Mt Gambier – tad over 400 km. Here we have holed up with Jeanette and Colin. We’ve known them for about 15 years – they’re Servas friends. Colin is principal of a local primary school and also does a fair bit of work for ABC Radio as a sports journalist. They’ve visited us in Dubbo and Cudmirrah. This is our third visit to the 2nd largest city in South Australia (did you know that?) He underwent major heart surgery maybe a couple of years back. Yesterday and today we watched North Gambier beat East Gambier in the cricket final. North's 129 didn’t look competitive but today East Gambier collapsed about 15 runs short of the meagre total. Amazing what happens in a grand final.

Last photo above shows us with Colin and Jeanette as well as the crazy couple from Narrawong - Lady Di and Gra Gra! We found them in a pub in Nelson (as planned.)
Tomorrow we have to attend a school camp which includes cycling as a feature. Looks like we’ll unravel Banana Split and give a few kids a spin on it. Should be fun.
Scheduled to be in Adelaide by Wednesday. Maybe 450 km. Looking forward to catching up with Servas friends and Di Di (ex WWTC) and her family. Di Di is my ex girlfriend from 1963! I was madly in love with her. When Fay and I married back in 1967, she chose Di Di as her bridesmaid, but dressed her in pink just to be sure. Maybe next blog will show photos of Di Di. You be the judge!