Hayley’s Shine for Fluff Page

Early January last year, my Mum was given the devastating news that she had cancer, that it had spread beyond it’s primary location (thought to be the duodenum) to her liver & that it was both inoperable & incurable. However, they hoped that with chemotherapy the cancer could be managed so she could go on living a full & long life. Sadly, it wasn’t to be. Chemotherapy didn’t agree with her body at all. Despite it helping to shrink the tumours when she did have it, the rest of her body couldn’t take it to even make it through one full cycle without making her really unwell & forcing her back into hospital for one thing or another. In July she was told it was unlikely she would be well enough for more chemo & they gave her three months. By this point Mum had developed blood clots on the lungs from the cancer/chemo & was on oxygen 24/7. But it didn’t stop her going out & about, seeing friends & family, & enjoying more cream teas than you can shake a tub of clotted cream at! Just three weeks later, Mum passed away after suffering her second pulmonary embolism in three days. She was 66 years old. Mum didn’t drink, she didn’t smoke, she played badminton 2-3 times a week in addition to body combat, swimming & lots of walks with her husband, Al. She had an absolute heart of gold, she was tough & brave, the best friend & Mummy a girl could ever, ever wish for. It shouldn’t have been her, & too many good people are taken too soon by cancer. It’s one scary b*stard of a disease & I want to see it gone. So, while scientists continue to make developments in research & Cancer Research has helped to double survival rates over the last 40 years, it’s not enough! Not to be ungrateful, but let’s kick cancer’s arse good & proper, & sooner! I read somewhere that you should be the things that you loved most about the people that are gone. Mum was fierce & she fought so hard through her battle with cancer. She never, ever gave up when the going got tough at any point through her life, she held her head high & got sh*t done. Sitting around feeling sorry for myself won’t change anything, but going for a little walk around the big smoke could make a big difference to other people’s lives now & in the future. Please help by sponsoring me, & if you like, my sister Lucy, & any other member of Team Fluff who may join us stomping 26.2 miles around London on 21st September. Anything you can afford would be gratefully received! Doug, Carol, Anne, Janet, Roberta & Darren...this is for you & your loved ones also! Thanking you! HX