Meet Siobhan. She’s our palliative care nurse who came in to our lives last summer and has made life with cancer infinitely more manageable. Beyond her knowledge of all the meds that now rattle around Tina’s body, she is a do-er, a listener and a kind human who understands the vast complexities of the emotional and physical needs of terminally ill patients and their families. She also gives an excellent hug.

Despite Tina living with cancer for 15 years she has until recently always felt well enough to manage her disease, her appointments and her medication on her own. She has always felt in complete control of her needs and her care. Last summer that changed and she asked for support with the full time admin role that comes with having cancer and so Siobhan stepped in.

Cancer is an asshole. It ruins plans and destroys lives. We all know that. For someone to come in and make life with this asshole disease a touch more manageable is a real gift. Being a palliative care nurse is a gift and something I truly admire. We feel very fortunate to be provided with this support and care in Cornwall.

The reason I’m telling you this is because in 2 weeks I’m going to run a half marathon for Cornwall hospice care. Well, I say for them, it’s honestly for me as much as it is for them, I’d be lying if I said otherwise. Running has been one of the few things that I’ve been able to take control of recently. Being able to put on my trainers and step out and just start running is a freedom I do not take for granted.

I used to run a lot, with a tit strapped to me whilst also wielding a clipboard. That feels like a very distant memory now and my legs certainly don’t feel like they did in 2017. It’s going to be hard but in light of what Tina is going through and the absolute horror in Gaza right now, I feel lucky to be able to do it.

If you’d like to support me in this very hilly endeavour then please feel free to sponsor me. Less than 20% of funding for CHC comes from the NHS yet it’s a vital resource in end of life care.

There’s so many charities and people needing support and money right now so if you can’t, I fully understand. Instead, just pray for my knees and hamstrings, ta. X