BERNI'S BABY PEAKS

I wish to raise money for the Endocrinology support group & Macmillan Centre in the RVH Belfast. The reason behind this is that in January 2020 I was diagnosed with Adrenal Cancer & Cushing's Syndrome.

In the lead up to my surgery my promise to myself, my husband and surgeons was that I would be back living life and walking the Mournes by September (as August/September 19 this was our new favourite thing to do)..

In keeping with my promise I want to use this as a chance to raise money for the Endocrine Support Group & Macmillan Support Group in the RVH Belfast.

To do this I am going to tackle some of the smaller peaks (hence baby peaks) of the Mourne Mountains....and maybe some others. I am also going to attend 1 exercise class per week and ensure I hit a daily step target of 7000 steps. I would like to keep this going until 1st October.

With the Cushing's Syndrome & recovery from surgery I may not be able to tackle any of the big peaks. Cushing's Syndrome has left me with brittle bones, fractures and slipped discs in my back.

Here is a brief rundown of my story.

In October 19 I started to feel a little not like myself. I started bruising a little easier, feeling tired, retaining fluid in my legs, red & puffy faced and feeling lethargic and very, very cold. We had just bought a new house and thought it may be to do with the stress with that, but no it was more than that and I just knew something wasn't right.

I was then getting tested for Cushing's Syndrome (rare Endocrine disorder- approx 1 in every 200k diagnosed each year).

On my 30th birthday I was in A&E in agony having a CT scan, which showed I had kidney stones & a 6cm tumour on my Adrenal Gland (which confirmed the Cushing's). I was told that 95% of the tumours are non cancerous.

Straight after Christmas it was back to having scans, tests and getting that dreaded news that my Cushing's Tumour was cancerous & I was diagnosed with Adrenal Cancer (approx 1 in a million diagnosed each year).

On 12th February 2020 I had my surgery to remove the tumour, along with my Adrenal Gland. I am now on a form of Chemotherapy for 5 years, possibly on Steriod medication for life, along with monthly hospital appointments and quarterly scans. But whooo hooo I am alive and well & I got the all clear in my recent scan.

We have all been affected by Cancer or know someone who has been, and I know this is a rare Cancer and the support group may not be relevant to many people, but the work they do and having them there to understand what your going through is important. Also Macmillan supports everyone, even those luckily enough to survive Cancer and it is also important they get funding during these hard times.

I thank you in advance for any kind donations and support over the coming months. Anyone who donates will be in with a chance to win a raffle prize. Be sure to like my FB/Insta pages as this does not allow me to contact you back.

https://www.facebook.com/fussyveggiefoodie

https://www.instagram.com/_the_fussy_vegetarian/?hl=en