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Hello lovely friends and family.
As you know swimming has become a huge part of my life and something that has helped me so much over the last 7 months.
Losing a parent, however old we are is something we are never prepared for.
We lost our wonderful dad 12th January 2025
Two months before, Mum was diagnosed with stage 4 Ovarian cancer with a prognosis of 4-6 weeks survival.
My amazing two sisters and my world came crashing down and dad battled all he could to be there for mum with our help.
Losing dad to IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) a serious chronic lung disease was devastating. The ‘Idiopathic’ part means the cause is unknown. It’s always the good ones isn’t it, that we lose As the lungs harden and scar breathing becomes more and more difficult until you exist only with oxygen. It is incredibly tough feeling so helpless when you watch someone you love so much losing their battle, the IPF would not let go of its grip.
Mum had emergency surgery last November which provided the diagnosis of Ovarian cancer and despite everything that has happened, losing her soul mate, kind, caring, gentle husband, our amazing courageous mum grew strong enough to try treatment and after 6 months of chemotherapy is unbelievably in stage 4 Ovarian cancer remission.
Both mum and dad were looked after at Stratton Hospital at different times over the last 7 months and this has to be my chance to thank again the incredible, caring team that helped us through the tough times.
So, where does the swimming come in ?
I want to raise money for two charities with your help.
Ovarian Cancer - www.ovarian.org
My challenge is to swim 20,000m ( 20km, around 12 1/2 miles) in July. This will be in the sea pool and the sea!
All funds raised will be split equally between the two charities.
Any amount however small will count and help me raise the awareness of IPF, still a relatively unknown chronic lung disease with no treatment and Ovarian Cancer / Screening.
Thankyou for reading my story.
Rebecca xxx
Organizer
