I've been putting this off for too long.

Well, where to begin? For those who don't know me, my name is Keren. I've been living in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk for the last 2 years although I spent most of my childhood in Tamworth, Staffordshire. 

My family have always battled with gynecological issues on both the maternal and paternal side. When I was around 6 years old, Ovarian cancer claimed my Nan's life. Her name was Connie and I loved her so dearly that it still hurts now and I think of her often. We even named our daughter after her. 

My Ouma (my South African Nan) also lost her battle with cancer when I was around 10. 

My older sister Natalie was 14 when she had her first surgery. FOURTEEN. I remember not understanding what was going on. I couldn't comprehend what was happening to her. How could my sister, so young then, be so seriously ill? My mother took her to the doctors several times and they were convinced that she was pregnant. My mother persevered and eventually they did a scan and found that she had complex ovarian cysts which was causing the swelling in her tummy. My clearest memory of this stage was making her laugh so much in the kitchen one day that she threw up her bowl of cereal because she was so swollen that she couldn't keep any food down.

By the time Natalie was 21 she'd had 4 operations and faced with the heartbreaking decision of whether she ever wanted to have her own children as they were going to remove her ovaries. She made the brave decision not to store her eggs. I don't know if that was because of the cost implications back then or because she'd suffered enough already that the thought of IVF in the future was too much. I even told her that I'd be a surrogate for her if she wanted. 

My sister will never experience being a mother (in the traditional sense) . I've asked her a few times over the last 20 or so years and shes happy with her choice. I have two children, Malakai 9, and Connie almost 2. She has pretty much bought Malakai up with me as his biological dad isn't around and the relationship those two have is insane. She even followed us down to Bury St Edmunds because she couldn't bear to be without the kids (and me, obviously lol).

I had my first scan as a precaution when I was just 13. I ended up in hospital after a cyst ruptured in 2011. From then on I was monitored every 6 months. I met Steven in September 2015. I had an appointment booked with my gynecologist that December to set a date for a full hysterectomy as a preventive measure as she was sure that at some point, I would also fall ill due to ovarian cancer. 

No matter how hard i try to explain that feeling, it'll never come close to what it really feels like. I had to get my head around not having any more children. I desperately wanted a girl and can recall being at work about 2 months after being told that news and someone bringing in their new born baby girl. I broke down. 

I remembered seeing what both my sister and my Nan went through and how those memories had left their mark. I didn't want that for Malakai or for my family. So, I decided to go ahead with the surgery and gave up my hopes of having a baby girl. Steven changed that. 

I wasn't looking for a relationship and now that I look back to then, I realise how mean I was to him. I've always been an honest person so I told him the situation and expected that to be the end of it. He shocked me but saying he really wanted a baby with me! It was a 'now or never' and i didn't in a million years think it would actually happen but within a month, i was pregnant and the following August, Connie joined the world. I still get so emotional when I think about how incredibly blessed I am to have my children. 

While I was pregnant and afterwards, I was closely monitored due to the family history. In October 2017, I had a full hysterectomy. It's outrageously hard to talk about that part. I know it's important to do so and I push myself to be open about it, share my story because I want to build awareness but it doesn't make it any easier.

My gynecologist said everything had gone to plan and she would write with the results. Weeks went by and I concentrated on getting better. I was in so much pain and quickly realised that not enough people understand that it is a major operation. Several organs were removed. Organs that your body NEEDS to function as it should. Some people just expected me to be better within a few weeks. The truth is, i wasn't okay for a good few months. Yes I could walk around and do things but I didn't start feeling 'normal' again for at least 3 months. It was exhausting! 

I got my letter with the results and if anything, was expecting something relating to Ovarian cancer. I sobbed as I read that they had found cervical cancer. I just wanted to shut everyone and everything away. I walked upstairs calmly, sat on the edge of my bed and sobbed.

I called the hospital the next day and they confirmed the news but said that it was only found on the cervix area and they were quite sure that they had removed it during the surgery but as a precaution, wanted me back in 6 months for a check up. That check up was done on 16th May and I was ecstatic to get the all clear on 30th May!

That's when I decided that I wanted to do this epic race for the gynecology department at West Suffolk Hospital.  From the very first time I visited them when I moved here 2 years ago, right up to Wednesday when they called me to tell me the cancer had gone, they have been nothing but outstanding. The personal care, professionalism and work that they do is phenomenal. 

I can't thank them enough. If it wasn't for them, we might not have caught it in time. I might not have been able to live my life watching my beautiful family grow up. I want to do this 20 mile race to thank them for everything. I want to raise awareness of gynecological health and show my hyster sisters' that anything is possible! 

I'd really like for everyone to show THEIR support please by helping me by raising funds for the MyWISH charity at West Suffolk Hospital. 

Thank you!