Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Adenocarcinoma (Lung Cancer) on the 17th December 2020. Instead of sitting and focusing on my cancer,  I would rather focus on trying to make a difference to those families who find themselves in a similar situation. St Catherine’s Hospice will be there for not only me, but for Stuart, Freya and James (Barter Family) as and when we might need them in the future. I am therefore fundraising for St Catherine’s Hospice in Crawley; a local charity with big ambition. St Catherine’s vision is for a world where everyone facing death and bereavement can do so informed, supported and pain free. Their team of experts are there for people in West Sussex and East Surrey when they need support the most, and they rely on donations to be able to offer their pioneering care. 

I have entered the Conqueror Lands End to John O’Groats Virtual Challenge which will require me to either run, walk or cycle a total of 1083 miles. I will complete it as quickly as I can but have given myself 12 weeks as a target end date. Those of you that know me, already know I have completed several marathons, half marathons,  have run the 3 Peaks and successfully completed the Cyprus Walkdown (24 mile orienteering/ run) but this will be different. Different because of my lung cancer. I am just at the start of my treatment journey and I am still struggling with movement a little (legs are a bit wobbly!) and my breathing but I am hoping in time this will ease as my treatment progresses. So, where as normally I would have promised you I would run the whole thing, I know, some days my body might not allow me, so I will get out and walk or cycle instead if I can. One thing I can promise you is that I will complete this! 

I realise that this is also a perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the type of cancer I have. I am 45 years old, do not drink, do not smoke and live a very active life. I am lucky enough to have non-small cell adenocarcinoma with a egfr mutation in my dna allowing me to have targeted therapy. There is a more aggressive form of lung cancer which is known as small cell. Ive included the link below for egfr positive, a group set up for people with a diagnosis just like mine. It is scary to see that most sufferers are women, of similar age, non smokers and healthy. Until a few weeks ago, I had never heard or thought of lung cancer or egfr mutation. Please have a read and please be aware.

https://www.egfrpositive.org.uk/

Ive also included a link to the conqueror website, photos of my entry and progress are in the media/gallery section. 

https://www.theconqueror.events/lejog/

Please donate to St Catherines and support me in my challenge, lets make sure St Catherines are there and able to provide the care and support others might need in the future. 

UPDATE 15th Sept

Hello all, I haven’t posted or updated for quite sometime. Things have unfortunately progressed for me somewhat since the beginning of this challenge. All seemed to be going well with targeted treatment whereby I would take a daily tablet and be able to get on with things with ease really. Over the last few months it became apparent that things were not going in the right direction with my primary tumour progressing. I’m waiting on results of a lung biopsy and also bloods to see if my cancer has changed at all but for the time being I have opted for some chemo whilst we figure out if there is a possible plan ‘C’! 

With this news it looks as if my time might be quite a bit shorter, target date is early next year! You know though - with my strong determination I will obviously aim to beat that rather poor target!

I will receive chemo once every 3 weeks. For me although it is early days, it looks like I might be wiped out for a week or so after each session but I am still determined to complete this challenge. I need to refocus and adjust to our new normal (again) and just get on with it!!