For updates on my running journey, check out @Louslungandahalf on Instagram 

As my family and friends know, I have had my fair share of dealings with the dreaded 'C' word. Melanoma, Basal cell carcinoma (another type of skin cancer) and lung cancer have all made an unwelcome appearance in my life. Each diagnosis has required invasive surgery and my recovery is with huge thanks to the incredible NHS consultants, surgeons, radiographers and nurses.  

My most recent surgeries were in April and May 2019 when I had a lung resection, and then four weeks later, a full lobectomy and half my left lung was removed. The tumour was caught early enough to give me the best chance going forward, and this is entirely thanks to my melanoma Macmillan nurse Claire, who was concerned about a lump on my neck and referred me for an urgent CT scan. The rest is a bit of a blur, but what I do know is that before both of my operations, the specialist lung cancer Macmillan nursing team were on hand to offer advice, listen to my worries and answer any questions that I had - and I had plenty! 

After I had recovered physically and got the all clear, the psychological battle began as I tried to get my head around the fact that I had developed yet another primary cancer. My husband Scott and I had so many new fears for the future, and the lung cancer diagnosis in particular, was hard to comprehend. I have never smoked in my life and I live very healthily, so I really struggled to see beyond the What, Why and How On Earth?!

Once again, Macmillan was there for me and my family. Thanks to the Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton, I had one to one counselling sessions and Scott attended a specific group for people whose partners were recovering from cancer treatment. I also joined a Macmillan 'Hope' course with a fantastic group of lovely people who were all in a similar situation to me. Every week we sat and discussed our worries, working together to feel stronger and more positive about the road ahead. 

I am so very grateful to Macmillan Cancer Support. As I face several years of ongoing check ups and scans, Macmillan nurses will continue to look after me and my health, and I can access their counselling service whenever I need the extra support. And to show the charity some love, I am pledging to raise sponsorship doing something I love - running. I have completed various real races and virtual events in 2020, and I have signed up to several races taking place throughout 2021 - including the London Marathon - with the aim to run over 200 miles by December. I will, of course, be running far more than that as part of my training sessions. 

It is set to be an amazing fundraising challenge and hopefully my lung and a half hold out! :) Here is the list so far and I will be adding races as I go (including lots of Parkruns!):

The Brighton 10k - Nov 2019 - 6.2 miles COMPLETED

New Year's Day Hove Prom Park Run - 3.1 miles COMPLETED

Brighton Half Marathon - Feb 2020 - 13.1 miles COMPLETED 

Run for Heroes NHS Virtual 5k - April 2020 - 3.1 miles COMPLETED

Plan B WHO Covid-19 Fund Virtual 10k - April 2020 - 6.2 miles COMPLETED

Twopointsixchallenge for London Marathon day - April 2020 - 6.2 miles COMPLETED

Midsussex Half Marathon Virtual Weekend Challenge June 2020 - 13.1 miles COMPLETED

RISE Undercliff Virtual 8k - Brighton October 2020 - 5 miles COMPLETED

Vitality Virtual 10k  - October 2020 - 6.2 miles - COMPLETED 

Run Things 'Run Up to Christmas' Virtual Run Challenge - December 2020 100km (60 miles) -COMPLETED 

Angmering Bluebell Trail Race - April 2021 - 10 miles COMPLETED

Vitality London 10k Virtual Race 2021 - June 2021 - 6.2 miles - COMPLETED

Vitality London Big Half Marathon - August 2021 - 13.1 MILES - COMPLETED

Hove Prom Parkrun - August 28th 2021 - 3.1 miles COMPLETED 

London Marathon 2021 - 26.2 miles - October 2021 COMPLETED!!!!!

22.3 miles to go.....

Run Up to Christmas Virtual Running Event - 50km - December 2021 

Santa Dash - 5km - December 2021

I would so appreciate your donation towards my target as I tackle every mile, every training run and every race with a huge sense of achievement and gratitude. I am so thankful I am still able to lace up my trainers and get out there, still able to hit the road with my running gang, and still able to cross finish lines. 

Thank you so much Macmillan for helping me and my family.  I will keep on running for you, and for all the people affected by cancer who you support every single day.