I'm Built For This - Dealing with Invisible illnesses

It had just gone past 2am on a Sunday morning, and I have just got off of a WhatsApp call with another basketball coach in the USA who wants to bring his team to compete in the World Club Basketball Tournament.    Although it was a good call and the coach and I discussed many subjects, including the Queens Platinum Jubilee (I don’t know why), I was very tired, bleary eyed and a headache was looming through the lack of sleep.                   It's Good To Be Back!!               The Stoma Saved my Life This was the third consecutive night I had been on a late night/ early morning call with an overseas coach or basketball organisation, either discussing WCBT or just having a conversation about basketball in general.                 On another transatlantic call  As I got upstairs my wife Mandi, woke up and said she was just a...

Special Moments There were some things in my life when I was a young man I looked forward to or had mapped out in my head, to achieve by certain various chaotic timescales. Some of these plans have come to fruition, others have not and are still  on Eric’s To Do List’. When I was around 14 years old, I remember compiling a massive list of these things in my orange fluffy padlocked diary (which my brother broke into) that I wanted to achieve when I was older. Some of my wild aspirations included, and in no particular order are listed below: Eric’s To Do List circa 1977 Making the school sports team Having my first kiss (before the age of 18) (Failed) Passing my driving test at 17 Drinking my first pint of Special Brew (Shandy Bass) Smoking a cigarette (Failed) Getting a girlfriend before my twin brother. Travelling the world Playing football for Arsenal or being employed at the Co Op. (Google it) Getting my own place at 18 Having children but not before 30. Scaring th...

Happy Kidneyversary to 'MEric'my donor Kidney ,  As of 15th January 2010 you have been in my body keeping me alive for the last 12 years. Your previous owner looked after you very well, apart from the odd cigarette and bottles of Pink Lady and Lambrusco, while hitting the disco back in the day.  Like your previous owner you are one of the most stubborn, feisty and resilient living things I have been fortunate to come across.  You 'MEric' have certainly taking a licking but you keep on ticking'.  But for the selflessness and humility of your generous owner, there is a strong possibility I would not be here today.  It's strange to think of all the wonderful experiences I would have missed out on, the grandchildren I would not have met, and the fantastic people across the world, who I would not have had the pleasure to meet.  In addition just over 3 months time I get to walk my beautiful daughter Lauren, down the aisle.  'MEric' you made that possible....

The Story of 2021 So Far!  What can I say about 2021 and my first year with 'Stanley the Stoma' ? ……."It's been emotional " Since 2010, the month of January has always been the month in which I celebrated receiving a gift of life kidney transplant from my wife Mandi, on the 15 th   January 2010.  But now there was a new date to add to the calendar which will also have an added significance . On January 3rd 2022, I ‘celebrated’ the first year of receiving a Stoma  https://blackmenshealth.org.uk/2021/06/18/my-stoma-story-im-still-standing/    after my bowel ruptured, and I was dragged forcibly to hospital my Mandi in excruciating pain proclaiming “I’ll be ok in the morning, just give me a paracetamol”   Little did I know at the time, that I was literally 24hrs from dying with sepsis after being diagnosed with diverticulitis. Filming an awareness video for Sepsis UK   As my stomaversary (yes that’s a thing), has been getting closer this week , I have...

  New Blog Post - Coming Soon.  Why I founded the World Club Basketball, following my kidney transplant.  What went into the preparation of setting up the event.  How did I introduce myself and my plans to the international basketball world.  What obstacles did I face during preparation and more.........  How to create a successful international event of your own. www.worldclubbasketballtournament.com Press Promo                                    Top 10 Plays WCBT2018   

  MEric the Kidney- The Donor’s Story Mandi Douglin  "I donated my kidney to my husband to save his life" On 15 th  Jan 2010 I donated a kidney to my husband as to me it was the normal thing to do. Here is my story. Well where to start! In 2007, not long after I started dating Eric, (now my husband),he told me he had been diagnosed with early stage chronic kidney disease, but it was been very carefully managed with medication, diet and regular visits to the hospital. Basically, Eric’s kidneys for no apparent reason were failing & leaking protein which his body needed, as opposed to doing their natural function of getting rid of toxins from the body. If the problem deteriorated his condition would get worse and he would need a kidney transplant. After one of his regular appointments with the renal specialist at Guys hospital in 2008, Eric came home and said his tests showed his kidneys were only functioning at 25% and were failing rapidly. What did this mean I asked? E...

Originally published by Kidney Research UK.  When Eric Douglin needed a kidney transplant 11 years ago, his wife, Mandi, stepped in without hesitation. The operation in January 2010 was a success, and in January 2022, Eric will be looking forward to celebrating the 12 th  anniversary since receiving his life-saving gift. He said: “When I asked Mandi why she w anted to donate her kidney to me, her response was: ‘Well, anyone would do it, wouldn't they? I have two kidneys, you need one, so it’s an easy decision. Your children and grandchildren need you in their life, as do I.’ “The fact that Mandi is white, and I am black was more remarkable insofar that we were almost a perfect match, and to date there have been no complications or issues to speak of. Mandi and I were married in June 2011 at a very emotional service full of tears and smiles, attended by my very grateful and appreciative family.” Eric was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2004. He underwent years of medic...