GRATITUDE WALK FOR MARIE CURIE

I am one of those people who have incurable cancer, or so they say.  Currently the statistics say that a person with my cancer - (STAGE 4 breast cancer that has spread to the bone and the liver) has an 80% chance of dying in 5 years.  

Although I am currently well and have many reasons to be hopeful due to the incredible groundbreaking advances of cancer treatment, I do think about dying.  Hopefully it won't be for many years, and when the time comes I hope to be surrounded by my family at peace and in comfort.  Often, dying of a long term illness requires a lot of expert palliative care and that is where Marie Curie plays such a vital part.

I feel so incredibly blessed and lucky that I am currently well - having gone through so much chemo, radio and endless operations.  I still have regular treatment, and procedures but it is not as harsh.  Yes - there are loads of side effects and I seem to spend the whole time at the Doctors or at a hospital, but goodness - I am so glad to be alive.  

I have recently had a hip replacement and I am no longer in pain (at least in that department!) and so I have decided to do this walk, with my great friend Lucinda Bruce to raise money for cancer charities and show how grateful I am to be here, surrounded by the most wonderful family, friends, doctors, nurses and medical institutions.  I have learnt so much in the last few years which has created such joy in my heart. I thank God every day for the gift of life.

Lucinda and I shall be walking half of the South Downs Way, starting at Amberley in West Sussex and finishing in Eastbourne in East Sussex.  It is a 60 mile (100km) walk and we shall spread it out over 4.5 days (taking into account the new hip!) - so it will be quite a challenge.   We will be passing through some spectacular scenery including Beachy Head, Cuckmere Valley and the Seven Sisters.  Aren't we lucky???

Thank you, everybody for supporting me.

With love and light

Lucy O'Donnell

www.cancerismyteacher.com

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