The Run That Honours a Memory. From illness to strength

In 2020, just as the world was about to change forever with the arrival of Covid , I found myself facing a crisis of my own. What seemed like a routine health issue -kidney stones- quickly escalated into a life or death situation. A large stone became lodged in the tube leading to my bladder , and without immediate surgery , I was in real trouble.

As I lay on the operating table, ready for what should have been a straightforward procedure, an unexpected crisis occurred. The anaesthetist was called away for an emergency, leaving my team with no choice but to continue under local anaesthetic. As if that weren’t enough, I had no idea that I was already septic - my body overwhelmed by an infection spreading through my bloodstream, known as a “ septic shower”

I was wide awake through it all ,though I barely remember much of it. The pain, the fear,and the feeling of being trapped in my own body are hazy memories now, but the moments when I was told to call my partner Shaun( now husband) are still vivid. I was asked to let him know they were looking for an intensive care bed for me - possibly in another hospital. That call must have been one of the hardest things I’ve done. Shaun had no idea where I was, or even if I was going to make it. That night he spent hours in limbo, not knowing whether I would survive. He had to break that news to my son Jake.

The fear of not knowing what was happening inside my own body was compounded by the overwhelming reality that the antibiotics weren’t working. I couldn’t breathe properly. I couldn’t stay awake for long periods. I was terrified. But I wasn’t alone.The care I received was nothing short of incredible. after 7 days I was moved from intensive care to a ward, alive, with all my limbs still intact. But while the physical scars healed, the mental scars ran much deeper.

During those harrowing days, another family’s world was also turned upside down.My best friends son, Steve , was in a different hospital- fighting his own battle. Tragically , Steve wasn’t as fortunate as I was. He lost his life. I remember how, while I fought to stay alive, my heart broke for Wendy , his mum, and for her unimaginable loss. Wendy and I shared so much- our daily walks, our talks about life, our laughter. She was my rock, and I was devastated by the news.

Wendy’s life was never the same after losing Steve, and mine was irrevocably changed too. But the story doesn’t end there. In May 2024, Wendy suffered brain injury, and despite her immense strength , she passed away later that same year. I lost a piece of myself in that, a part of my past, my future and my daily life. We had so many more memories left to make, so many more walks to share.

In honour of Wendy - and to remind myself of the strength we both needed to survive our individual battles- I am taking on a challenge. This year, I will be running a race to celebrate her life, to honour her memory, and to channel the love and strength she showed me through every walk we took together. She always said life should be lived fully, with courage and compassion. Now, I run not just for myself, but for her, for the love we shared and for the lessons she left behind.

This journey of illness and loss has taught me many things, but above all, it’s taught me the value of every breath we take and every precious moment with those we love. I hope through this run, I can raise awareness of sepsis, as well as celebrate the love, friendship and strength that carry us through even the darkest days.

Wendy, this run is for you. Xxx