Susan O'Dea
Susan's Tough Mudder
Fundraising for OPA Cancer Charity
Story
Without the people that participate in these events, and the people that make donations, people like me wouldn’t be here today, which is why on Sat 16/8/14 I will be participating in Tough Mudder South West. It’s time to give something back.
On Sat 2/2/13 I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and told I’d be lucky to survive beyond 2 years after treatment. What followed was 6 months of chemotherapy, 2 months of radiotherapy, major surgery, 2 further operations, and many procedures. I completed my treatment 11 months later, on Tues 28/1/14, and since my main operation on Mon 13/5/14, I have had 2 clear scans.
I was able to receive radical surgery, which at that time only 3 surgical teams in the UK were able to perform. That surgery and my treatment was available to me because of the research they had been able to do. It reduced my recovery time, which in turn reduced my chances of infection, which enabled me to be strong enough for post operative chemo and radiotherapy.
I am not new to these events, but I am new to them post cancer. I have found the training very hard, especially after returning to work full-time, and still don’t know if I will be able to successfully complete the course. But I do know, and I can assure you, that I will give it all I have.
Please, please, please help me give something back.
On Sat 2/2/13 I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and told I’d be lucky to survive beyond 2 years after treatment. What followed was 6 months of chemotherapy, 2 months of radiotherapy, major surgery, 2 further operations, and many procedures. I completed my treatment 11 months later, on Tues 28/1/14, and since my main operation on Mon 13/5/14, I have had 2 clear scans.
I was able to receive radical surgery, which at that time only 3 surgical teams in the UK were able to perform. That surgery and my treatment was available to me because of the research they had been able to do. It reduced my recovery time, which in turn reduced my chances of infection, which enabled me to be strong enough for post operative chemo and radiotherapy.
I am not new to these events, but I am new to them post cancer. I have found the training very hard, especially after returning to work full-time, and still don’t know if I will be able to successfully complete the course. But I do know, and I can assure you, that I will give it all I have.
Please, please, please help me give something back.