Hello,

I am one of the 1553 people who have entered this years Parish Walk. The last time I entered, was in 2016 and I managed to walk 65 miles into Parliament Square, Ramsey. I remember my dad saying to me, ‘Just get up and try a little walk again!’ - As a lay on the pavement! My reply was, ‘I have nothing to prove, I’m not doing this for any reason, I’m done!’ 

Well, this year I have my reason. Twelve months ago I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. My whole world came crashing down around me. I had left for work that day to get my results, thinking I’d see them all the next day and never went back. 

I had 6 months of chemotherapy, a mastectomy and full lymph node clearance (in the Royal Liverpool Hospital), followed by 15 blasts of Radiotherapy which was away in Newcastle at the Freeman hospital.  

During this period, I had a lot of time off island. I was on half pay after 6 months and it’s a horrible thought knowing you’re going to be away for so long, away from your family and friends. 

Isle of Man Breast Care is a charity who have helped me massively along the way. They provide financial support to Manx patients who are undergoing treatment. It helped take a lot of pressure off me when I was off island for surgery and Radiotherapy. Then they agreed to fund my wedding hair which was just amazing. I am so thankful to this charity for their support. 

I’m hoping I still have it in me to walk the 32.5 miles to Peel. It’s giving me something else to focus on and knowing that I can give something back to this charity will help to spur me on to hopefully make it to Peel! Chemotherapy wipes you out completely and last summer, I’d be lucky if I could walk just 1 mile at a very slow pace, so it won’t be easy for me. I’ll have my husband by my side, so I’m hoping we can help to motivate each other! 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Thank you,

Cara :)

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