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Return of the

COLD DIP COMMANDO - In Tim's Words


Once a Marine Always a Marine

I  joined Her Majesty’s Royal Marine Commandos in 1980 at the age of 16 and deploying around the globe, in ‘Commando Units’, 'Assault Squadrons' and on HM Ships. The Royal Marines are a family and we look after and support each other as brothers. 


After  my wife blessed me with 2 wonderful children, it was time to leave the Royal Marines and be at home for my family. 


The next three years passed quickly, working as a ‘Personal Trainer and Massage Therapist’ until an old Royal Marine buddy asked me to join him in Iraq as a bodyguard for the British Foreign Office. Further close protection jobs took me around Iraq, then to Afghanistan, Africa, the US and Europe protecting politicians, diplomats, and sporting stars/celebrities.


I was diagnosed with my 1st cancer, Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2016 and started Chemotherapy in 2018 which seemed to slow it down but no cure. Things were looking brighter, then the country went into the Covid Lock down of 2020. Having had cancer I was now regarded as, 'vulnerable', a word never before used to describe me. If being described as vulnerable wasn't bad enough, fate had another twist for me this time 3 weeks before Christmas 2020 during lock down not a dose of Covid but a different Cancer. This time it was Hodgkin’s lymphoma and I had to start a new regime of Chemotherapy, not the socks and slippers I wanted for Christmas. After 6 cycles of chemotherapy things looked OK and I was informed the cancer had been controlled.


The mental battle to remain cheerful, strong and positive in front of my children family and ones I loved, was and still is emotionally straining as I know in some ways it's been harder for them than for me.


After the second cancer, to try and get my head in gear, I started going down to my local beach early in the morning where I'd sit on a rock (I call him Dwain for obvious reasons) and watch the sunrise, thankful to see the start of another day. Then one morning I decided to go for a swim and now I go down the beach almost every morning all year round.


The side effects of all the chemotherapy have left me with heart failure which has stopped me from being the fit and active person I once was and swimming became harder. With a low immune system, I caught Pneumonia and every bug going including covid and appendicitis.


Another Christmas and no socks but the return Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer number 3 and this time I was offered a stem cell transplant which really took its toll on me with lots of complications. With the hope that the stem cell treatment had worked and I was cancer free, I decided to give something back to the people and organisations who had helped me and have something positive to focus on and talk about rather than cancer.


In Dec 2022 2 weeks before Christmas I was diagnosed with a 4th Cancer. The Stem Cell transplant had not worked and the cancer was back in my oesophagus, spleen and now a new area my liver. 


The 2023 Cold dip Commando Challenge would go ahead as planned, please see the gallery. What a fantastic journey.


I started another course of chemo at the start of 2024 and was told if it didn't work this then options were limited and I would have 6 to 12 months to live. Not a great prognosis. After one cycle and with no immunity I was hospitalised and the chemo was stopped. More weeks in hospital with chest infection, low calcium and other illnesses and I caught covid before being discharged. A month at home then more problems and infections resulting in 2 weeks in hospital where I was told the cancer had moved into other areas and the 5 cancer was now in my lungs, oesophagus, spleen, liver, kidney, bone and still in my lymphatic system.


One positive thing happened during that stay in hospital was a break out one Saturday afternoon so I could attend my 'wake' organised by my old Marine buddies to cheer me up, which it did and I was back in hospital for midnight for my meds.


I  have made the decision not to have any more chemo as at best there is only a 1 in 3 chance that it will prolong my life by 4 to 5 months with the high risk of infection and hospitalisation caused by the chemo killing off my immune system and an infection killing me before the cancer.


So as we say in the Marines its stacks of smoke and straight up the middle with fixed bayonets and all guns blazing to fight this 5th cancer with nutrition, natural remedies, cold dips and a positive mindset.


The medical profession said I wont make 2025 or be able to do the 'Timspiration Tour - Cold Dip Commando Challenge 2025'. I aim to prove them wrong. This one will be colder as I have lost 4 stone mostly fat and (insulation). Buts going to happen. I'm not finished yet...

 

If your still reading this you deserve a medal or at the very least a place on the beach for a cold dip.

Please donate whatever you can and please do join me in the water.


Thank you x


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