Hi everyone,

Firstly I would like to say thank you for looking at my just giving page.

On the 22^nd May 2009 I went to have what I thought was an ulcer checked out… too many lunches on the go, not sitting down to eat…being a mum dashing here and there…

 

Instead I was sat with two nurses and a consultant telling me I had Cancer of the Oesophagus…They had even double checked the results as this type of Cancer is predominantly an older mans Cancer, yes women do get it but again.. Older women. It is a rarer Cancer as it is and for a 41 year old female to be diagnosed … well it doesn’t happen that often. So..

WHAM!!!

Instantly my whole perspective on life changed…I was suddenly in this very surreal world… strange. What didn’t change was that I was still a wife, a daughter and a Mum so no matter what was happening to me… day to day things had to carry on, time was not going to stop till I had worked out what to do.

I think may be now life is a little bit like playing a card game and you have to play with whatever you are dealt… grim or not.

From that day it was like getting on a rollercoaster and going for one hell of a ride…the scariest, hardest and most traumatic ride I have ever been on, but I had to go on it…My family and friends from day one have been wonderful with support, kindness, honesty and food parcels for Chris and the kids. My children, 8 and 12 have had such a wonderful out look on this it and has made me smile. Children are so innocent and open, they are a great medicine.

I love my family.

For me chemo was grim… a dark and horrid time but… I kept my hair… whoopee!!

On the 17^th September I had an Oesophagectomy… ( say it fast it doesn’t sound too bad). Basically… and without too much detail… My Oesophagus was whipped out, rib removed, stomach halved and pulled up under my chest and intestines rearranged. All of which took nearly 9 hours. It is only now though that with all the side effects that I have, do I realise how major an opp it was. It is so much easier not to think about it.

Now

There have been so many people, nurses, charities and organisations that have helped me along the way to get back to near… normality, things will never be the same but I am still a wife, a daughter and a Mum… But I also want to be voice… Statistics show that very few young people are diagnosed with this Cancer but it is happening more. So now I feel ‘what can I do…’

 

Well…

Macmillan helped me get back on my feet and as a family we took part in a sponsored walk across the bridge on May 16th 2010. Very windy but it was a fantastic day with a wonderful atmosphere and terrific views... extremly tiring though, my husband thought all 7 stone of me was going to get blown over...I am still here...

Having had to cancel our holiday last year to visit my father, we have now booked up again to go to Cyprus… so we are now set to do a 3 mile walk up in the’ Troodos Mountains’ , the scenery is beautiful and should be a little cooler higher up...

Only 3 miles… but I will be 9 months post opp… and the children are doing it with us. It will feel like a half marathon…beleive me... This we are doing  as a family  for the ‘Oesophageal Patients Association’ www.opa.org.uk  who have always been at the end of the phone for help, advice and support. They are a wonderful organisation who help the fight against this Cancer.

Any other support would be fantastic…..

 

Thankyou again for reading my story and understanding what I am doing, why and who for. If you choose to donate then a huge thankyou for your generosity.

xx

I DID IT....

Wow did it feel good, I not only managed the 3 miles but went on to 5, We walked around the top on Mount Olympus on the Artimis Trail, setting of at 9 am and finishing at 11 am.  At that time the temperature was cool ish and we were in and out of the shade as we went round. The views were fantastic and  we even passed 2 ski lifts.... yes... ski lifts in Cyprus.

My family was wonderful and I wouldn't have wanted them anywhere else but with me, they have given me so much love and support, I am a lucky mum and wife.

Thankyou to everyone who has read this, supported me and offered kindness. xx

I

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