Further surgery was required to remove Emma’s right ovary and fallopian tube, and also to undergo biopsies to check for cancer cells in her lymph nodes. After numerous tests and another operation, we finally received the news that there were no further cells and the only requirement going forward now was for regular checkups and hospital screening, just as a precaution. 

The following 4 and a half years, Em had regular check ups at the hospital with the gynaecology team. None of us ever really considered the appointment to be anything sinister. Never ever did we ever contemplate how the cancer could make a return, especially after recovering so well so quickly after and provided with such reassurance that the chance of recurrence was so small. 

Em is a complete fitness fanatic. Whether that’s spending nearly every day at the gym, going for a run, doing yoga, pilates, a long walk, going swimming or to zumba.. you name it.. she lived and breathed for it ❤️ she lived for setting goals and challenging herself and lived the healthiest lifestyle (with a few doughnuts 🍩 and Chinese takeaways here and there of course 🤪). 

On 9th September 2018, Em completed the Great North Run for “Yorkshire Cancer Research”. I’ve honestly never been so proud of her. She poured every single ounce of energy into being the best version of herself. This was a massive personal achievement for her that she trained so hard for. The next day after, Em was of course back at Zumba and going straight back into running… but for everyone that knows Em, you wouldn’t expect anything less, right?!!? Em has always being the most fittest in our family and we would often have “Fitbit challenges” running to see who can clock up the most steps. Em of course was always ahead of me. It really is a running joke that Em never has a day off. She really doesn’t!!!! This is one of the million reasons that I admire her so much. She is SO passionate about life. Making the most of every opportunity. Pushing herself and never stopping. 

Shortly after the half marathon, Em started with muscle pain which she initially put down to fitness training, and with the non - stop exercise her life always revolved around. We just thought she had overdone something and needed to rest up a little bit. There were days it seemed better and even going to the doctors and to a sports therapist, we were reassured it was nothing more than fitness-related injury. Nothing else. On Em’s last gynaecology checkup (the 5th year mark, where they were then happy to discharge Em back to our GP). Blood tests confirmed in February 2019 that the cancer Em had back in 2014, had returned. Our whole world turned upside down from this moment. Em never let her diagnosis define her and every single day she had a smile on her face. She is our ray of sunshine. On August 26th, 2019, Em peacefully fell asleep surrounded by our family. I made a promise to her that I would challenge myself and live life to the fullest - just like her and one day I would complete the GNR. On the days that I struggle the most I need to remember that everything is for us both.

I ‘officially’ took up running last January. After months of not doing any exercise and feeling completely lost. I needed to focus my energy into something positive. For years I’ve wanted to give running a go, especially after seeing how much Em enjoyed it. She would often even go out twice a day, before work and once she got home, just because she loved it that much. Not only did it challenge herself but it was a great head clearer. I can also vouch for that that now too. I felt guilty for months that I was fortunate to be able to exercise and felt that it was something I shouldn’t do, because I knew Em couldn’t. 

I’ve honestly never ever ever being able to run, and it’s something that really hasn’t come naturally. In the past, I tried to join Em on her runs and within minutes I would’ve had a stitch, felt faint & just being genuinely adamant that I couldn’t do it.. and wondered how the hell anybody achieved doing it, yet alone for fun. Em keeps me going on every single run. Since January last year I have gone out at least 3 times a week - in all weathers, including in the horrendous rain, snow, sunshine and blistering heatwaves when it’s been so hot caked in suncream. All the lovely weather changes we’ve had, I’ve never stopped going. In January last year I couldn’t even run one km without needing to stop, feeling faint and having the biggest stitch. Here I am a year later and entering the GNR, and just recently completed my longest run to date (a whole ten miles!!!! Never in a million years did I ever think I would achieve that). I’ve forever admired Em’s ability to run… and she told me it wouldn’t come easy but with patience it does come. Without any doubt I wouldn’t be here today without Em’s passion pushing me.  I’ve never being so motivated to do this for her. For US. ❤️

Through all the sweat and tears (literally. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve cried after a run) 🥲. I’m so glad I haven’t given up and more than ever I am beyond grateful for achieving what I thought would be impossible. I'm grateful for having the capability and choice to exercise. This is something that I will never ever take for granted again. A true blessing that we do not truly realise how precious this is until we are not able to do it 💔 Putting everything into perspective, we do not realise how lucky we are - to be well enough to enjoy the fresh outdoors and chuck on a pair of running shoes... regardless of how fast you are, or how far you can go. Being able to just go out is always the main thing and something we should be very thankful for ❤️

💜 Target Ovarian 💜

I’m running the Great North Run for ‘Target Ovarian Cancer', a charity Em was so passionate about and also wanted to raise money for when she did the GNR. Target Ovarian is the only ovarian cancer charity that works across all 4 nations of the UK. They work with women, family members & healthcare professionals to ensure that they target the areas that matter the most for those living with ovarian cancer. 

Every woman who is diagnosed with ovarian cancer should receive the right support. Last year alone the demand for a nurse lead support line rose by 22%, demonstrating the ever-increasing need for specialist nurses’ insight and experience. 

Target ovarian aims to improve earlier diagnosis, fund life-saving research, and provide much-needed support to women with ovarian cancer. 

🔬 Why is it so important to improve early diagnosis?

If diagnosed at the earliest stage, 9 in 10 women will survive. But currently, two-thirds of women are diagnosed late, when the cancer is harder to treat.

Women must feel empowered to go to the GP as soon as they notice something is wrong, so it's vital that they know the symptoms to look out for. As well as campaigning for a national awareness campaign, Target Ovarian works to get awareness materials out into local communities, schools, GP practices, and pharmacies.

While ovarian cancer commonly occurs in post-menopausal women, anyone can be at risk. Em was only 20 when she received her diagnosis. This has being a huge heartbreaking reality check that this really really really CAN affect anyone and we must not ignore anything that doesn’t feel quite right. Even if means going back and forth until there is progress with investigation. 

A common misconception is that a smear test is a screening tool for all gynecological cancers. However, at present, the only way to diagnose ovarian cancer is after a blood test (CA125) which is ONLY offered if symptoms persist, alongside potentially an ultrasound.  There is currently NO national screening programme for this type of cancer in the UK. 

It is essential that GPs are trained to spot ovarian cancer symptoms at the earliest opportunity, and are able to either diagnose or rule it out quickly. Target Ovarian has presented at GP training days, gave out GP toolkits, and offer an online training module for GPs to update their knowledge on early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

Each year 7,400 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK. Knowing the symptoms could literally save your life. 

What are the symptoms?

• Persistent bloating – not bloating that comes and goes
• Feeling full quickly and/or loss of appetite
• Pelvic or abdominal pain 
• Urinary symptoms (needing to wee more urgently or more often than usual)

Occasionally there can be other symptoms:

• Changes in bowel habit
• Extreme fatigue 
• Unexplained weight loss

Symptoms will be:

• Frequent – they usually happen more than 12 times a month
• Persistent – they don't go away
• New – they're not normal for you.

💕 £7 could enable a GP to update their knowledge of ovarian cancer and best practice for early diagnosis.

💕 £17 could fund the nurse-led support line for women with ovarian cancer for one hour.

💕 £50 funds awareness and could help 50 people to learn about the symptoms of ovarian cancer by receiving a symptoms leaflet. Knowing the symptoms and when to visit the GP can vastly improve early diagnosis.

💕 £250 could fund a day of lifesaving research through one of Target Ovarian's studies. Target Ovarian are working to improve ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment for women now and in the future.

Nothing makes me prouder than to say I have you as my big sis, Emz. Because I know everybody else is not as lucky for not having you. Thank you for being my sunshine every single day and pushing me to believe in myself, to achieve the things I never thought I would be able to. All because of you! My biggest inspiration every single day. I have never ever met anybody as incredible, courageous and brave as you. 

All I want in life is to make you proud. To do everything for US. 

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Thank you to everyone who has supported my running journey so far and encouraged me not to give up. You have helped me more than you’ll ever know.

👟 Time for me to get those running trainers on and complete 13.1 miles!!!! 👟 

I know you'll be with me every step of the way, Em. I know that more than ever now ❤️ 

Any donations and support will mean the absolute world. For anybody who is interested in my running progress, I share all my runs on good old Strava & will try my best to upload a few things on here, too!

GNR I AM COMING FOR YOU

🏃🏼‍♀️ 🏃🏼‍♀️ 🏃🏼‍♀️ 🏃🏼‍♀️ 🏃🏼‍♀️ 🏃🏼‍♀️