We have a mantra "Keep Moving Forward".

I have already climbed a thousand metaphorical mountains, now I am to attempt to climb a "real" one: the world's highest freestanding mountain. 

A symbol of what I have been through, of what Michael went through and what our sons have been through as a result of cancer breaking our happy, joyous family. 

One last great big screw you to Cancer, one last cry "We will not be beaten". The fightback, for the man mountain himself.

Cancer robbed my sons of their Dad.  It robbed me of my husband, my best friend, my love, my companion but it will not take my spirit.  Michael maintained his strength and spirit throughout his illness, he never gave in and nor will I.  I have something to prove, to myself but on behalf of Michael too.  Everything we did, we did "big"; extreme, impulsive, some may say a little crazy.  I could not think of a more fitting tribute to my late husband than to do this on his, and my behalf.

Before Michael died he told me to live.  To live for him.  To experience life, its joys as well as its sorrows.  This is exactly what I've tried to do in the year or so since his last breath. I am the one left.  The one who is both blessed because I have a future but cursed because the only future I had imagined - is gone.  It is no more. I now have to find my way, alone.  I have to lead my boys into a new future, one where Michael will always be part of our very soul. I have to climb that mountain.  I have a mountain to climb.

It is a huge, huge challenge, I am under no illusion.  I will be going alone, but will share the journey with a team of fundraisers whom I do not know.  We will be hiking for 7 days on the mountain, the summit and celebratory meal happens to be on my birthday - 21st October.  Fate I felt! I will be 38 and hopefully toasting one of the greatest achievements of my life, along with toasting Michael Giles, our past and also my and my family's future.

We do not always have a choice in what happens to us in life.  But what we can choose is our response to the things that do happen.  My choice is the mountain.  Please, please help me get there by sponsoring and supporting my endeavour.  When you or a person you love has cancer, everything changes, from the moment of diagnosis. "It's life Jim but not as you know it". Suddenly nothing else matters. All the trivial concerns we had previously are forgotten, we are now fighting for life. What you hope for at this point is of course a cure, when that is not an option what you need - absolute basic human need - is support.  Michael had me, all throughout his illness, and others too but he also had a wonderful Macmillan nurse called Martin. Martin became to Michael, not just a nurse or a medical associate but a friend.  A real friend.  There was mutual admiration between Martin and Michael.  They talked sport - of course! music, family as well as the big 'C'.  Michael needed support, he needed someone else outside of his circle who he could talk about the horrors of the illness with.  Martin provided this priceless support and he was there throughout for Michael but also for me and the boys.  I'd like to thank Martin and help give others in a similar situation a "Martin".

I will be embarking upon a year long training and fundraising challenge to reach the target.  I start tomorrow; October 31st - Halloween no less! with  my dog "Hector the protector" I will keep you posted on the progress!

Thank you for taking time to read this, especially in the sea of requests one receives via social media!  For those that sponsor - thank you so so much and remember...

Keep Moving Forward!

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