Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

 

Just over a year ago my family, Andrea (pictured above) and her husband went away for the weekend to stay with my sister and brother in-law in Bath, my sister in law (Alice) also happens to be one of my best friends along with my friend Andrea. Us girls as usual were the last ones up and Andrea told us she had found a lump! We decided optimistically between us that it was nothing to worry about and that although Andrea was worried, after her check up she would be able to relax, but that getting it checked out was definitely the best thing to do.

How wrong we were, Andrea was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in Novemember 2009. It was obviously a big shock to all of her family and friends, i certainly didn't anticipate the diagnosis. 

Andrea's treatment started with surgery, she then had to have chemo followed by radio therapy and this all had to happen within a certain time scale for the treatment to be effective. This was made all the more difficult as shortly after she was diagnosed Andrea found out that she was pregnant, what should have been one of the happiest moments of her life was over shadowed by whether or not she could have a healthy baby with out it affecting her chances of beating breast cancer. Unbelievably Andrea could have chemo whilst pregnant and she continued with her treatment. Her baby was scheduled to be brought into the world a little earlier than usual but this was necessary for Andrea to be able to start radio within her time scales.

Etienne Matthew James arrived of his own accord 24th June 2010, healthy and gorgeous.

Andrea has finished her radio and now is continuing with 3 weekly treatments of herceptin which will carry on for one year. Andrea has had a really tough year and been amazing throughout, never a complaint, and in true Andrea fashion when she lost her hair she accessorized to the max and looked gorgeous.

So, when i decided to run the Bath half marathon again, running for the Breast Cancer Campaign seemed like a very good cause and when i'm runnning the 13 miles and wondering why i ever thought it would be a good idea to run it again, i will stop and think of Andrea's past year and keep on running!

The Breast Cancer Campaign aims to beat breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure.

If you can spare any amount and donate i would be very grateful, it's going to a very good cause.Thank you.

Tracey x