So after the success of our cycle through the Hebrides i'm keen to do something this year too. Given the uncertainties about my state of health or what treatment I'll be on in summer, I figure I may as well get on with it while I have a small window of opportunity just now. So I'm planning to climb the highest peaks in each country on mainland UK (Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales) with my husband Davy in March.  Once again Beren will be pulling me along and wreaking havoc like he did in the hebrides. 

I don't know how to express the immense gratitude I have for the unbelievable amount you all helped raise last year (the generosity of people really left me speechless and lifted my spirits beyond belief) and i'm sure thats a once in a lifetime thing, but anything we can add to the total this year will be hugely appreciated by myself and the charity!

Again, given the fact I'm currently on treatment and missing a lung, this will be a particularly momentous feat for Rachael and Davy, who will have to listen to my incessant moaning the whole way.

Anyway, here's my story:

When I was 24 and pregnant with my son I was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma, a rare cancer. It was in the pleural space of my right lung. At the time is was deemed inoperable, so I received palliative care in the form of high dose chemotherapy. During which I got married to my wonderful husband and relished and cherished every moment with my new family of three. Luckily the chemo worked as best as could be hoped for and my amazing surgeon decided to give it a bash. I then had the tumour and my entire right lung removed (without clear margins). Followed by some radiotherapy and a couple of wonderful years with no cancer. 

In 2014 I noticed a lump whilst reading my son a bedtime story.. The bell had rung and it was round two! This time, after chemotherapy it is unfortunately inoperable.  I am now trying some other drugs to hopefully slow the growth and buy some more time. 

The drug I am on is for kidney cancer, it sometimes works for sarcoma but at they moment they aren't exactly sure why it works for some sarcoma patients and not others.. one of the many research projects sarcoma UK has funded is looking to find out why. As sarcoma is such a rare cancer there isn't as much research carried out as there is for other cancers. This is the reason I would love to raise some funds for this charity. So that in future, someone in my position might stand a better chance of beating this disease. 

Over the summer my husband, friends and I will be doing various sponsored events so I hope to make a decent contribution to something that means a lot to me.

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my just giving page. Please give what ever you can, every penny counts! All money donated here goes directly to the charity.

Michelle :) x