My Centre For Life Tour

First of all, let me explain why I visited the Centre For Life and what it is. The Muscle Centre at Newcastle upon Tyne is one of three centres in England for the diagnosis and management of inherited muscle diseases which are supported by the British Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. The Muscle Centre runs clinics in Newcastle and at various locations across the North of England. The Centre For Life is the main adult muscle clinic in the UK.

 When I was young I was diagnosed with Beckers Muscular Dystrophy. I have already spoken about this in previous blogs here and here. Recently I have joined the Nottinghamshire branch of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.When I told them I was visiting Newcastle the lovely Sara Wilcox arranged for me to visit the Centre the day I arrived. After a couple of hours waiting around I visited the Biomedicine West Wing. I got into reception and me being me I completely forgot who I was supposed to be meeting. So there I was at reception, looking through past emails trying to find a name. Eventually I met up with Dr Steven Laval. The first thing we talked about was just exactly what the Centre For Life does. You can read more about the Centre For Life Science Village here. He told me a little about the history of the Centre. His department originally started out specifically researching Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD). They have now spread their research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy too.
 I was then told that all muscle biopsies (yes every single one) from the past 30 years are kept and still are there. This means that the muscle biopsy I had taken from me 23 years ago is still kept in that building. Crazy stuff.

 He then gave me some info on the other Dr's/Professors who work there. He also told me how they are in contact with various other places around Europe (which obviously helps with research). We then started the "tour".

 The first place we looked around was a research room where students were writing up some results I'm guessing. Although they clearly weren't working (the students, not the research). We then looked into a lab where they had been doing research into LGMD as the microscopes had the intials on them. Yet again there was no-one in there. Here's where it gets interesting. We then went into a small lab where heart cells of mice have been stored for research. We discussed how they were stored by a machine which used recycled air so the specimen wouldn't be tainted by bacteria. This also keeps the temperature constant. We then looked at some of the cells that had been stored. The first one had very little happening. The second one however, had what can only be described as small looking volcanoes. These would occasionally "erupt". What I was actually seeing was the heartbeat of the cell. Even though it was very small it was probably the highlight of the  tour.
 It was at this point I started to realise that most of the science stuff had gone way over my head. So I tried to make myself seem a bit more intelligent by talking about things like CK Levels.
 He then proceeded to talk about a machine that is used to look at blood test and muscle biopsy results. Whilst this was happening we stopped at many posters, I cannot remember what was as the majority of what was said was specifically dedicated to DMD and LGMD so I got confused at times.
 When we finally sat down I got chance to ask him some questions I had thought about. The first thing I asked about was Exon Skipping. Having BMD I thought that any research on DMD would be beneficial to me. Turns out thats not so as it would only result in people with DMD having a milder form of BMD. Whilst I am happy that this is a start, I was slightly disappointed that it would have no effect on me (I know that sounds selfish). There is a good explanation of what Exxon Skipping is/involves here.

 I then asked him about how the Centre is funded. It is funded partly by the NHS, partly by the University of Newcastle and partly by the MDC (Muscular Dystrophy Campaign). What stuck with me was the fact that he said that the MDC was struggling to fund the Centre recently. This shows why it is important that we keep spreading the word about the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. We must also raise awareness of all forms of MD.

My Newcastle Trip.

First of all let me explain why I went to Newcastle. I went to visit both family and friends. I also had the once in a lifetime opportunity (at least for me) to tour SJP. My other reason was to tour the Centre For Life. Anywhoo here's the story of my trip.

FRIDAY

For some reason I thought I'd tempt fate and travel up on Friday 13th. The train journey up was normal i.e there was no problems (although the journey up made me appreciate the fact I don't live in Yorkshire haha). The journey only took 2 hours which I think is pretty good considering it takes us nearly 3 hours in a car. I arrived in Newcastle about 11:30ish and I did what someone who loves food usually does... I visited 2 cafes (merely to waste time of course). 
 Before I talk about the Centre For Life I should tell people why I wanted to visit there so much. For those of you who follow me on twitter you will know I suffer from BMD (Beckers Muscular Dystrophy). The Muscle Centre and  The Centre For Life in Newcastle upon Tyne are one of three centres in England for the diagnosis and management of inherited muscle diseases which are supported by the British Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. I'm not going to go into much detail about this as I will be doing another article on it in the next few days.
 After that I did the normal holiday things i.e find the hotel, get unpacked etc. But then I looked out my window and saw SJP. What an amazing site it was. It was at this point in the blog I was going to put the picture I took of the stadium, but me being me I seem to have deleted it. Anyway, after that I decided to go to the restaurant and get food. £15 for Scampi, Chips, Onion Rings and Coke is far too expensive. I then got quite bored so I watched TV (fun holiday so far). I then went back down to the bar, had a couple of pints and got talking to a ginger mackem. He called me a glory supporter because I started supporting Newcastle when King Kevin was in charge. He then proceeded to tell me that all NUFC fans were obsessed with Sunderland. He then told me he'd been to SJP on numerous occasions (ironic). Not much happened after that as I was completely zonked.

Saturday.

Saturday was far more eventful. I was meant to be visiting my dads cousin for lunch. Everything was going well until I exited the hotel. I went to look for Monument... and got lost. When I found it I headed towards the Quayside... and got lost. I was so lost I had to ask my twitter followers where I was. With the help of @JedAyeGeordie and Gareth (@TheHotspur103) I found my way to Prima Restaurant. I was supposed to be there about 1PM. I got there just in time. I proceeded to wait there 45 mins for my cousin who I thought had never turned up. I decided instead of sitting there like a lonely twat, that I order. I I have never had a nicer pizza in my life. As it turns out, my cousin was sat outside the place while I was sat inside. 
 Then took a trip to the Quayside to have a look around. I took some photos of the Tyne Bridge and the Millennium Bridge. That is one beautiful place.

 After that you'd have thought things would've got better. How wrong I was. I found out Deborah (@LadyEashington) was in John Lewis. So I decided to see her. I tried to find Eldon Square from SJP... and got lost again. When I found it, I got lost in it. I then made the trek right to the top of it, only to find out she wasn't there. At that point I was so tired I sat in there for an hour eating. I made it back to the hotel in one piece. Then as a thank you I decided to go to The Hotspur. Quality pub, quality landlord is all I have to say about that place. As with Friday I was so tired when I got back, so as you do I decided to watch Gladiator.

Sunday.

Sunday was quite frankly, very emotional. First of all I wasn't sure what I was going to do as I had something planned, but that changed at the last minute. So I decided to visit the the Quayside properly this time. I got there fine. I then walked all the way to Ouseburn(?) to take this photo



I then walked up to the railway bridge, thinking I could get to Central Station from there. I couldn't find a way. I ended up walking all the way back along the Quayside and around. And yes, when I went along Collingwood Street I did start singing The Blaydon Races. When there I waited 45 mins for my uncle as apparently he got lost too. He took us to Crawcrook to see my aunty. We then went to Prudhoe to see family graves. We laid flowers at the graves of my Great Grandma, Great Grandad and Uncle Ernie. I was then shown other family graves, where my Great Grandma was brought up, and where my dad first lived.

I was then shown family albums which included family members I'd never heard of. We also saw photos of Robert William Robson who died in WW1. We didn't know who it was until I pointed it out. I then found out that both sides of my family lived across the road from each other. That day was the most tiring emotionally and physically.

Monday.

Quite frankly this was one of the best days of my life. First off I met my cousin in an Ice Cream place on Percy Street. Bear in mind this is the first time I'd ever met anyone from my dads paternal side of the family. He showed loads of pictures of family I'd never heard of, plus pics of my own Great Grandad and my own Grandad. He also proceeded to tell me of our family history of cancer and heart disease. He also told me a story about how a relative wanted to come home from war. He also mentioned a story of how some animal bones are under a statue in Prudhoe because of our family. 
 I then met Kayleigh (@KayleighK7) who had organised the SJP tour. She still turned up even though she was ill (what a trooper). We had a Nando's where I had quarter of a chicken with some spices (improvement). Then we went on the tour. £10 for 90 minutes of tour. first place we visited was level 2 where we were told about the rooms. We then talked outside for a while when we took this

We then went to levels 3 and 4 We were shown Barry Moat's match box. Apparently it costs £50,000 per season to own one. We then through the remaining levels. Here is level 7

We then went to the entrance where we saw these

A bust of Sir Bobby Robson

A bust of Wor Jackie.
 We then went into the changing rooms where I proceeded to kiss Yohan Cabaye's shirt. We were also the only people allowed to do this hahahaha 

We then went out onto the pitch and sat in the dugout. I was like a kid in a sweet shop when this photo was taken

After that the tour ended. Quite frankly it was the best 90 mins of my life and a day I will never forget for the rest of my life.
 After that there was the small matter of a game. So I decided to go to The Strawberry. Whilst there I met Swin (Swin9). It absolutely was not a slightly awkward introduction by me. We then proceeded to go to Shearers Bar (not at the same time) and we ended up meeting again. I am living proof that Swin is not always pissed. Whilst him and his mates were playing Pool I ended up talking to a girl about why she worked with kids and our mutual dislike of makems and cheesy chips. I then needed 2 sober people and a drunkard to show me the way back as I was knackered. Best day ever!!!!!!

Tuesday.

Tuesday was highly uneventful apart from having to unpack 15 mins before I was supposed to check out. I also had a disgusting Pannini. 

Overall.

Overall this was the trip of a lifetime. Newcastle is an amazing place with amazing people (apart from Hippie Green). I will live there one day. I will also own one of those matchday boxes in my lifetime. I will definitely be doing this trip many, many times in my life.