Hi, I'm Jane Smith, a 49 year old wife and mum, with a good sense of humour, a positive outlook, and a firm belief that anything is possible if you try .... oh, and I'm currently recovering from a total hip replacement, caused by incurable metastatic breast cancer having a good chomp at my bones! 😁

On Sunday 28th April 2019, I will be pulling up my positive pants, and attempting something that very few people will ever feel the need to do .... The London Marathon! 😳 

I was originally due to run London in 2018, but a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery meant I wasn't fit enough to do so.  Despite my latest diagnosis, the hip replacement, and being told I could never run again, my first (obstinate) thought was .... I'm still doing London in April 2019 .... and now here we are! 🤪

London is a major challenge for me, as I will be just 11 weeks post-hip-op.  I currently walk with a limp, and I tire very easily because of my cancer and the chemotherapy regime.  My aim is to walk as much of the 26.2 miles as I can manage .... but my heart is obviously set on reaching that amazing finish line, and I won't give up easily. 💖   Supporting and walking alongside me (ie, holding me up!) will be my amazing friends Duncan and Michelle. ✨👫✨

While participating in this epic event, we hope to raise much needed funds for the Macmillan Cancer Teams within our local community and at Castle Hill Hospital.  All funds raised will be used to directly benefit cancer patients.🎗 

Duncan and Michelle both very kindly agreed to be my official Medical Support Walkers, despite knowing how difficult their roles would be on the big day.  They will jointly make decisions about my ability to stand on the start line, step over it .... and if we get past that stage, they then have to monitor me closely throughout for signs of any illness caused by the cancer .... all while making sure I stay on my feet and don't damage my new hip!  Duncan and Michelle also have the unenviable job of making me see sense if I need to be pulled out of the race.  And did I mention the constant whinging I'll be doing in their ears at every opportunity from the first mile onwards? 🤣😂

During the last 6 years, my family have been seriously affected by cancer.  My husband since 2013 (multiple myeloma), our eldest son in 2015 and 2018 (thyroid cancer), and myself since 2017(primary and secondary breast cancer).  Duncan also experienced the loss of his father last year due to cancer. 🙁  However, we all do our best to remain positive and happy, regardless of our circumstances. ☺️

Duncan, Michelle and myself, would like to thank you for reading our story. 💕 We appreciate any donations made, no matter how small, as every penny donated will help the wonderful Macmillan Teams within our area continue to provide psychological and physical aid to the patients who need it. xx 😊

We initially intend for all donations raised to be given to the Macmillan Survivorship Programme (living with and beyond cancer), and the Macmillan Community Physiotherapy Service.  However, if our fundraising exceeds expectations, we reserve the right to share the donations amongst other local Macmillan Services too, in order to directly benefit as many patients as possible. 😊