Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Yep I know I have run lots of marathons before including Beachy Head so why is this one any different?  In December a few of us decided to all run Beachy together - no biggie just another fun day out with a few hills thrown into the mix!  

Roll on 2 months to Feb 2020.  I had been having pain in my groin, I thought just a pulled groin from running or possibly a hernia.  I had a scan 21/2, which shown a mass which they thought was attached to my ovary.  I was fasted tracked to ES Hospital to see a Gyne Consultant.  After another scan & bloods she wasn't sure what it was, it didn't look typical to ovarian cancer and all my bloods were NORMAL! Thankfully she decided to do a Neck, Chest, Abdomen CT scan, this showed that I had a large mass in my pelvis (10x10cm) & several nodes in my lungs.  She feared I had Lung Cancer with secondary Ovarian Cancer.  23rd March I had a laparoscopy where they planned to remove my ovary, tubes & the mass.  Unfortunately they were unable to remove the mass as it was to vascular & it was attached to my pelvic wall.  She managed to take a few biopsies from the mass.  I had another CT scan & lymph node biopsy on 24th March.  

On Tuesday 31st March I received my results - I was diagnosed with low b grade Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.  I was then referred to the Haematology Team to find out what type of NHL (there are over 60 types) and to have a PET Scan.  8th April - I had my PET Scan, which confirmed I had a large mass in my pelvis, several nodes on my lungs, spleen, lymph nodes, rib and bum (which I thought was sciatica for years)!  I also had a bone marrow biopsy of my pelvis which confirmed bone involvement.  Unfortunately I have advanced (stage 4) Marginal Zone Non Hodgkin Lymphoma.  Which is really rare and uncommon in young people!    

As you can imagine we were all totally shocked - I thought I can't have Cancer, I'm young-ish, super fit and don't feel ill!  Which is why I wanted to share my story, yes I had night sweats (thought it was my age), yes I was tired (aren't we all) and yes I could fill the lump in my groin but it wasn't painful at all to start with (October 2019) it was only when it had got really big that it started to get more uncomfortable.  Lymphoma Out Loud have been a fantastic support to me, especially during lockdown when I have felt so alone.  I have had to go to all my appointments, scans, treatment by myself which is really hard when your trying to retain the information but also in total shock being told you have stage 4 incurable cancer.  Charlotte Cox Founder of Lymphoma Out Loud has been there to help answer questions and help prepare me for my chemo, Charlotte was only 26 when she was diagnosed with NHL.  

My treatment was put on hold during the Covid peak (April-June).  On 8th July & 9th July I had my first round of chemo.  17th September I had my half way scan - and had great results!  The mass in my pelvis has pretty much totally shrunk and the other nodes have reduced significantly!  I really needed this boost to get me through the next 3 months of treatment.  

My next chemo is 30/9 & 1/10 (round 4) - bit of a blip with my white blood cell & neutrophils blood markers were v low this time & fighting off a cold so trying v hard to learn to relax & rest and listen to my body!  I am determined to stay positive, keep running and do what I love doing!  Thank you for reading my story & supporting me through this tough period. 

'Tough Times don't last but Tough People Do’

#thecancerrunner 

Lots of Love 

Soph xxx