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I was diagnosed with Free Light Chain Multiple Myeloma in Oct 2014, aged 54. Myeloma is a bone marrow cancer which is a recurring/regressing type. This means it is not curable (yet) but it is manageable with chemo and other treatments.

I'd always been pretty healthy; worked full time; eaten well(apart from chocolate and coca cola!!) and always been active: gym, athletics, weights etc. Chronic bone pain and fatigue for a year and i knew i was in trouble but my "ego" just pushed me on-idiot!!

At diagnosis, 95% of my marrow was populated with myeloma. Consultant was amazed I even made it to the appointment; never mind driving there and  working full time. I had a bone marrow biopsy(ouch!)and have 2 claims to fame: my consultant had struggled to drill into the bone as my bones were thicker/stronger than a 25 year old male AND so thick they bent his instrument!

I was put on 3 months of aggressive chemo as i was young and "fit". By Dec 2014 the myeloma was down to 3%! Consultant said "Spectacular results, Carmen"! I then had a stem cell transplant in May 2015 and was in isolation for 12 days. Sadly, I only enjoyed 9 months of regression. My "bad boys" grew back to  85% so i was put on a different chemo regime, twice a week IV plus supporting meds, for 18 months (that was the plan)That was hard.

After 3 months chemo was stopped and i was just on tablet chemo etc. Then doses reduced and i came off the steroids last Juy 2017.  I am now just on low dose maintenance tablets to keep the myeloma under control. My monthly blood results Tues 1st May show that i am again in regression. I AM TRULY A VERY LUCKY LADY!

I may not be able to jog now as I have severe Osteoarthritis now in all joints (particularly in my sternum area-all joints to ribs and collar bones). This makes it challenging to breathe sometimes as you need to expand your lungs and rib cage!

That said, I can still do so much, just differently now. And i decided to walk for 21 miles to celebrate Myeloma UK's 21st Birthday as a Charity. My brother Rafer will walk with me incase i have a wobble. And my Family will walk part of the way (21 minutes minimum) to cheer us on throughout the walk. It will hurt; it will be fun; the scenery will be inspiring and it will hopefully raise awareness about this debilitating cancer.

My brother Rafer has mapped out our 21 mile route: starting at Portland Bill, Dorset; walk around the Portland peninsula; walk along Weymouth Harbour and on the coastal path towards Lulworth Cove, where we will finish and celebrate.....probably on our knees!

Myeloma UK do NOT receive any government funding; is the only organisation in the UK dealing exclusively with Myeloma and every penny raised directly helps towards finding new treatments so we can enjoy a better quality of life and to find a cure for Myeloma. Please visit: www.myeloma.org.uk for more information.

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