My 50th challenge
I will be celebrating my 50th birthday this year!! So many people have asked me how I’m feeling about it with that look of “oh dear, poor you” which got me thinking about how I really feel about it. Firstly, I can’t really believe that I will be 50 – it feels very grown up and makes me feel as though I maybe should “behave” now. Or maybe not! What I actually feel is thankful. Thankful for my life, friends, and my family – and importantly, my health. 
The most predominant thought I have is how fortunate I am that I’m still here to celebrate my 50th birthday, when many of my patients aren’t. I’m thinking in particular about Mary, Alison and Brenda. They didn’t get to this age – so when I think about being 50 I want it to be a celebration of my years, not some negative hurdle to get over.
So I’m challenging myself. Nothing like hitting your 50th year full in the face! I’ve just got my place guaranteed in the Paris Marathon 2016. 3rd April 2016 I will be trotting around the streets of Paris for 42,195 KM. So the training begins. I will be raising money for MacMillan nurses – the people who have allowed some of my patients to die with dignity in their own homes and who have made this transition for them as smooth as is humanly possible.  I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been touched by cancer – I hope you will support me so that we can make a small difference. I’m nervous, but determined.