Walking the Shine Night Walk Marathon for Breast Cancer

In May 2024 I attended a routine mammogram. A few weeks later I was told they had found something and I had to return - in a haze of disbelief and shock! I was given information that it may be early breast cancer (DCIS) but would need further tests.

To cut a long and stressful story short I was told I had a large area of DCIS that would require a lumpectomy in my left breast and reconstruction. At the time they believed it was all non invasive. To say I cried would be an understatement.

Skip forward to September 2024. After 2 surgeries (one including an emergency surgery as I had an infection and a gaping hole where the stitches had come apart), I now am told they had found 8mm on invasive HER2 positive breast which although it has been removed there could be dodgy cells lurking.

So, the nightmare that no one wants to hear (especially if you are a girly who loves her hair) - 6 rounds of chemotherapy!!! To be followed then by radiotherapy, a cocktail of drugs etc etc. BUT, I will live and with the help and support of my family, friends, the amazing NHS (Breast care unit) Helen Rollason charity and Macmillian I want to do my bit. I need to raise awareness and I truly believed this would NEVER be me. I am fit for gods sake - Im the idiot with my friends who plunges in ice baths and rivers and goes on long walks and adventures with my equally mad friends. I don't smoke, I am vegan...You name it. But here we are. Im ready to fight this fight.

I signed up to do this walk long before my diagnosis and actually believed I wouldn't be able to take part...but I started chemotherapy on 26th September and the walk is Saturday 21st September....so hey....Im gonna do this!!!!!!

I will be raising money in aid of Breast Cancer Now and every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about Breast Cancer Now: We're Breast Cancer Now, the charity that's steered by world-class research and powered by life-changing support. We're here for anyone affected by breast cancer, the whole way through, providing support for today and hope for the future. By 2050, we believe everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will live - and be supported to live well. But we need to act now.

Breast Cancer Now is a registered charity in England and Wales (1160558), Scotland (SCO45584) and Isle of Man (1200)

Please help where you can.

Thanks so much,

All my love,

Karen xxx