Sarah Swadling
Sarah & Mike Swadling's page
Fundraising for Oxford Hospitals Charity
Story
Updated on Apr 22nd 2012 at 6:19 PM from the JustGiving API
Well it's all over! Mike had a good run and finished in 4 hours 8 mins and the rain stayed away!!! Thanks again to all those who donated it really is appreciated x x
Wednesday 1 Feb 2012
Dear all,
Thank you so much to all those of you who have sponsored us in running this years London Marathon, I can’t begin to tell you how much this means to us and Debbie’s family.
Some of you will already know what has been happening over the last few months but for those of you that don’t, let me update you.
On the 25 November last year I set out on a 3 mile run round the grounds of Blenheim Palace. Everything was going well and I was in a world of my own listening to my music! About a third of the way into my run I experienced a sharp pain in my left thigh but just thought I had pulled a muscle by possibly setting off a little too fast! I continued with my run and on returning home, as soon as I stopped at the front door, my leg gave way!
To cut a very long story short, I was referred to the Nuffield Orthopaedic Hospital and it was confirmed that I had fractured my hip!!!!! I have now been non-weight bearing for 9 weeks, had various X-rays, CT/MRI Scans and bone density scans and slowly the fracture is healing.
I was told right from the start that I would not be able to run the Marathon but there was a possibility that I could walk it. Unfortunately today, I have been given the news that I wont be able to walk it either. I wanted to do this so much for Debbie and her family and I can’t begin to explain how I feel right now. On the plus side, Mike will still be running in Debbie’s Memory and he is guaranteed a much faster time now I wont be holding him back!! No pressure Mike!!!
Even though I am unable to complete the marathon, I would still like you all to help Mike and I reach our target. Please continue to sponsor in any way you can.
Thanks again everyone
Sarah xxxxx
Thank you for taking the time to visit my Just Giving page.
We all sit back from time to time watching people complete life time achievements, whether that be swimming the channel, abseiling up the side of a building, running a marathon, completing an iron man circuit, completing the 3 peaks in 24 hours, the list goes on and we all say I would love to do that but I just can’t – then something happens in life that’s makes you think I can do that and I will. You are probably thinking what is she going on about, well please read on!!!
Last year after a very sudden illness, we sadly lost a very close family friend, Debbie Leslie. On the 23 December 2010, Debbie unfortunately died of a Spontaneous Subarachnoid Haemorrhage as a result of a brain aneurysm. She was only 38 years old and has left a massive gap in so many people’s lives, especially her husband David, two young children, Ethan and Amelia, parents Jan and Ian and brother Stewart.
Now to take you back to my opening paragraph and all will be made clear! On 22 April 2012 I will be running the London Marathon in memory of Debbie. The next few months are going to be a massive challenge for me, but every run and ounce of pain will be worth it, as it is all in memory of such a special person.
Brain aneurysms are one of those things that many of us are not very clear about so let me try and explain a little to you all.
A brain aneurysm is a bulging, weak area in the wall of an artery that supplies blood to the brain. In most cases, a brain aneurysm causes no symptoms and goes unnoticed. In rare cases, the brain aneurysm ruptures, releasing blood into the skull and causing a stroke. When a brain aneurysm ruptures, the result is called a subarachnoid haemorrhage. Depending on the severity of the haemorrhage, brain damage or death may result.
Most brain aneurysms cause no symptoms and may only be discovered during tests for another, usually unrelated, condition. In other cases, an unruptured aneurysm will cause problems by pressing on areas in the brain. When this happens, the person may suffer from severe headaches, blurred vision changes in speech and neck pain, depending on what areas of the brain are affected and how bad the aneurysm is.
With your help I would like to raise funds for the Neurological ITU, which cared for Debbie during her illness. This unit cares for patients with so many different life threatening neurological illnesses such as stokes, bleeding in and around the brain, brain tumours, brain trauma as a result of accidents, severe seizures,nerve and muscle diseases and spinal cord disorders among many others. I would like to make a difference to people who require the support of this department and if you feel the same please help, by sponsoring me to complete the 2012 London marathon, Our aim is to raise as much money as posibble and your donations really will benefit so many people and you too, can make a difference.
We all miss Debbie so much and I and her family thank you for taking the time to read this and any donation is greatly appreciated.
Please note: Please specify at the end of the donation process that your donation is for the Neuro ITU unit.
Thank you all so much
Sarah xxxxx