Thank you for visiting my page. I’m supporting Sarcoma UK, the only cancer charity in the UK focused on all types of sarcoma. Sarcoma is a cancer of the bone and soft tissue. It is one of the hardest to diagnose, and difficult to treat. 

This August I've taken a week off work to trek the Hadrian's Wall Path! The 84 mile national trail follows the World Heritage Site of Hadrian's Wall. I'll be walking from Wallsend (on the east coast of England) to Bowness-on-Solway (on the west coast). Evenings will be spent camping along the trail route. After a week of trekking, I'll most likely be ready to put my feet up with a good strong cup of tea!

As my family and friends will know, my Mum was diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma of the head and neck way back in 2002. I was 11 years old at the time and it turned our family's world upside down. 

My mum had been visiting her GP for over a year with symptoms, but doctors didn't properly examine her for anything sinister, they just kept prescribing her with nasal sprays and antibiotics; sarcoma was not suspected. It was only when a new, young GP joined the practice that he properly examined my mum and referred her to the hospital for further investigation. Between that examination and the appointment my mum suffered a huge bleed that could not be stopped... she was admitted to hospital and operated on to remove 'a polyp'. Unfortunately that 'polyp' was just the tip of the iceberg and after further tests my mum was diagnosed with a soft-tissue chondrosarcoma of the head and neck. 

An amazing team of doctors in Newcastle took on my mum's case, as Carlisle didn't have the team of specialists required. My mum needed a major operation to remove the sarcoma; this involved operating through her face leaving her with permanent scars. Scars come from battles, and it sure was a battle.

The operation, months of recovery and radiotherapy had worked... there was no sign of the cancer. Until exactly 2 years later when we got the bad news that there had been a recurrence. Another operation and several months of recovery followed. There was no radiotherapy this time as it had been stopped early the first time as my mum would have lost her sight if they had continued. Again things looked good, her medical team had done another amazing job.

Exactly 2 years later (again) it returned and this time it was growing much faster. It had spread throughout her head and neck. A much larger major operation was needed. The doctors gave my mum the choice and, knowing she may not survive the operation, she chose to fight on so that she could be with me and my brother. This operation required her face to be opened like a book and her head to be opened from ear-to-ear. She was in hospital for over two months and I travelled back and forward from Carlisle to Newcastle every day to see her. 

After 2 months she was discharged and was receiving palliative care at home. I had been her carer for those 6 years and we didn't give up hope. Somehow, nobody knows just quite how, she got better and better and better until she had become as well as she could be. 

My mum has been left with facial deformities, has lost her sense of smell, she struggles to eat and has many disabilities. But she is still here nearly 12 years after the third operation and 16 years after being diagnosed. She wasn't, statistically or medically, supposed to survive this sarcoma, but by mum is the bravest and strongest woman I know... and so she has done just that. 

Because of her incredible medical teams, then and now, we have shared many years together and she has been a part of major milestones in my life. She helped me buy my prom dress, she drove me to university when I left home, she was at my graduation, she consoled my breaking heart, she was with me when I moved into my first home and she will (with continued hope) be here for more special occasions as well as many regular mother-daughter cuppas.

I'm asking for donations for Sarcoma UK because early detection of sarcoma can make such a huge difference. It is one of the most difficult cancers to diagnose. Donations will fund vital research projects looking for better treatments and also raise awareness of the symptoms of sarcoma; this will help patients get an early diagnosis! My mum waited over a year to be properly examined by a GP. Let's never let that happen again. 

Sarcoma is cancer, and sarcoma changes lives forever. Please give what you can. If you can't give anything (I know times are hard) then please just have a look at Sarcoma UK's website and learn a little something about sarcoma: https://sarcoma.org.uk/