In November 2020, aged 43, my life was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with stage 4 anal cancer. It had travelled from my bum to my liver and finished at the end of my finger. I was advised by my Oncologist, Dr A Morton, that this was not curative. To say I was shocked was an understatement. I have 2 beautiful daughters - Tara 7 and Robyn 5 - and my amazing, supportive husband Iain. I wasn’t about to let a very bad cancer diagnosis stop me from living my life.

Treatment was arranged. Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Radio Frequency Ablation, Amputation Radio Frequency Ablation. Overall, the treatments were very successful. The tumours had shrunk in varying degrees, so much so they talked about curative. Wow

Lets fast forward to 2022. After the conversation starter “Curative” I was very disappointed in March 2022 when Dr D Kay discovered some of the liver tumour had returned. Another ablation was organised. Following the procedure I was advised by Dr D Kay he had discovered some suspicious nodules on my lungs.

This leads me on the group I’m rasing money for: Cowal Hospice and Therapy Service. For the last two years this group in particular, Shaun Miller and Francis, have supported me every step of the way. What started out as weekly calls focusing on how to calm my mind, then led to weekly visits for reflexology. I honestly do not know what I would have done without this. They have been amazing.

In July 2022 I was gearing up for more treatment, scans were arranged - awaiting scan results are never easy. Shaun and Francis were there guiding me through relaxing visualisations and reflexology. Imagine the surprise I got when Dr Morton advised me the scans showed the lung legions had shrunk; and the liver was looking good. I was told immunotherapy is not needed.

As a way of saying a huge thank you to CHATS, I decided in January I would run the Kyles 10 Miles.

Thank you for your support I know times are challenging but any donation will be greatly appreciated.