Hi there, thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

During what was already a very difficult time of my life, on 12th May 2011 I was dealt the devastating blow that I had a rare form of Breast Cancer and that this would require aggressive chemo, full mastectomy with auxiliiary clearance of the lymph nodes and aggressive radiotherapy.  I have 2 young children, at the time they were 7 and 4 so my priority was to get better and stay strong for them.  Physically this was difficult especially at times of the chemo but bearable, however, mentally that was a different ball game altogether.

To say I was at my lowest ebb during treatment is an understatement - friends were fab but they have their own lives and i didn't want to constantly burden them with my anxieties about my treatment and changes to my body, losing my breast was horrible, plain and simple, then to lose my beautiful long hair after the 1st batch of chemo just dropped me to my knees but it saved my life so i had no choice. My mum also died between my 2nd and 3rd dose of chemo with me at the hospital for 3days staying with her, i could not leave her - something I am so glad I was able to do.  All in all it was a pretty awful time and testing my will to survive on many occasions which I am very proud to say I did.

At the time of my diagnosis my friend introduced me to the Maggies Centre in Edinburgh and I can honestly say without their unending support I'm not sure i would be here today to tell my tale, Yvonne has been my saviour, they quite simply work miracles. The support I have been given by them is priceless.

I have always been an active person, having 2 springer spaniels and 2 young children doesn't make for otherwise.  However when growing up i was always naturally slim and didn't really do much exercise but since the cancer of which I am proud to say am clear -( I had my first annual check and it's all good) i've now been thrown head first into the menopause but am determined to get fitter than i've ever been partly for my phyical health but mostly for my mental health which I care deeply about. Mental health is something i feel passionate about.

About a month ago i started thinking about a way I could combine getting fit and giving something back to Maggies Centre and decided to set myself a personal Triathlon - i aim to run 5km, cyle 14km and swim1km a total of 20km. My goal is to do this on the morning of Friday 8th March with the facilities as Drumbrae Leisure Centre. This will entail a run from my home to Drumbrae 2.5km, 14km cycle using the facilities, a 1km swim(20lengths) and then quick dry off and back into my running gear for the 2.5k run home. My friends will be supporting and adjudicating to ensure I complete.  Training has started.

If you can in any way support me on this challenge however small i would be so grateful.

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