Ali’s Pretty Muddy Adventure!!!

Update 26th February ‘18: In my story below, I write about a dear friend fighting Cancer. Sadly, she lost her fight on 11th February and today we said goodbye. The reality of this disease is so very real. Thank you to those who have already dug deep; I’m so grateful for your generosity! My original story: Last year I went along to Clumber Park to support Tammie as she took part in her first Pretty Muddy event! Seeing what fun she had, I, perhaps rather foolishly, promised to take part this year!!! As many of you know, I’m quite partial to a bit of mud (!), however this will be quite a challenge for me...as I write this, I’m not in the best shape (although I had my first visit of 2018 at the gym today...and as I write this, I’m sat here with frozen peas on my foot after dropping a 25kg plate weight on it?), but it will be the first of many visits as I attempt to shape up...and I’m gonna need to if I’m going to keep up with Tammie, my sis Janine and Jade (who are also taking part)!? So why am I doing this crazy race?! Those close to me will know that in November 2000, I was diagnosed with cancer; I had Hogdkin’s Disease (Lymphoma). To be given a cancer diagnosis at 24years old was shocking but as the patient, you have to fight and try to be positive! With amazing support from my wonderful family, intensive radiotherapy and a wonderful Oncology team at City Hospital, Nottingham I SURVIVED!!!? The diagnosis, treatment and recovery was tough and I have some long term side effects from my treatment but thankfully they only cause me problems very occasionally. I continue to be very well looked after by City Hospital thanks to our fabulous NHS...why after being cancer free for so long? I no longer have regular Oncology appointments but in my early 30’s I was advised that, a result of the radiotherapy treatment I had, I had an increased risk of breast cancer. As a result, I visit City Hospital every year to have breast screening to make sure, if I get breast cancer, it’s caught early (I have a mammogram and an MRI). The reason I was identified as being at risk was all down to research so having made a promise and to celebrate my 18th cancer free year, I’m gonna get muddy!!! On the 30th June, I will do my very best for all those fighting right now (including a dear friend), those we have lost; Nanna, Nanna Sally, Revel and Len to name a few lovely people lost. I’ll also get muddy in admiration of those who have made huge sacrifices and very difficult decisions to have life changing surgery after being diagnosed with cancer genes in order to give themselves the chance to live their life cancer free. Whilst these occasions are tinged with sadness, I will have fun and get muddy in celebration of Cancer Research and our NHS, without whom, I may not be here today? Finally, when I was diagnosed with cancer, the statistics stated that 1 in 3 people would be affected by it in their lifetime; 18 years later, the statistics state that 1 in 2 people will be DIAGNOSED with this terrible disease. Most of you reading this will have been affected, whether it be a personal diagnosis or supporting a family member or friend through their diagnosis. Please sponser me and give what you can; all donations will be very gratefully recieved and all donations, however small, will help Cancer Research UK to continue their very important work in the fight against cancer. Thank you for reading my story xxx Donating through this page is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with Cancer Research UK.