Team Pink and Sparkly

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Just less than two years ago a friend of mine died as a result of Cancer, shortly thereafter another friend lost her husband to the same pernicious disease. My overwhelming emotion was raw, blazing anger. An anger so powerful it threatened to derail me. I resolved to do something about it and so committed to run the Race for Life. You will note the word ‘run’ in that sentence. It should be said at this point that I was coming up to my fiftieth birthday and I was/am not the fittest of human beings. I wouldn’t say I was overweight but I am undertall – by about 2 feet! Running was no mean feat for me but I had committed to do it and those who know me well will tell you that once I say I will do something, I do it – come Hell or High Water. Suffice it to say, that one hot June day, I ran the five kilometres and raised over £1400 for Cancer Research due to generous support from friends and family.

Little did I realise that I was going to need to call on that support again. In November of that year (2006) I was called for a Mammogram, as are all women of 50 and over in the UK. I was not remotely worried or concerned, even though there is a history of Breast cancer in my family. I do my monthly checks and I hadn’t felt anything at all. I can still remember when I opened the results envelope saying to Peter (my husband) ‘That doesn’t look good’ as I saw the map enclosed – it meant I had to go somewhere for more checks.

I had written a long account of what happened but that was more by way of catharsis and is not necessary here. I will tell that tale another day. To put it in the proverbial nutshell, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I had two operations done by a wonderful and caring surgeon, James Bristol and was cared for by the equally wonderful Breast Care Nurses at Cheltenham. The results of the biopsy after the second surgery were negative – no more treatment required, just regular check ups. The team who looked after me – Dr Jenkins, my own GP Dr Herold, the wonderful Breast Care Nurses, and not least Mr Bristol, had got me through with the least disruption possible. All the way through I was in control which helped me and my family immensely.

It was a terrifying time for everyone around me – in a way it was easier for me, I just had to get on with it. They had to watch and wait and worry, Peter and our daughter Elanor, were there whenever I needed them. Supportive and caring they carried me through on a wave of love that you can’t possibly appreciate until something like this happens to you – and I hope it never does. My dear friends, Joy, Sarah, Sara, Carol, Sue and Linda (and their husbands) were towers of strength and feminine solidarity that propped me up when I wilted and have given me courage when fear of what the future may bring hits me. Their friendship and that of others is beyond price and I treasure it greatly. One of the most moving moments in my life was when Sarah ran in the Race for Life wearing my name on her back.

So where has this left me. I have discovered that I am vulnerable – not quite the Superwoman I always thought. That has changed me in many ways, but this is not the place to discuss that. Along with other health problems that have hit my family over the last four years, it has given me a different view of life – not in the sense of changing my priorities, but maybe in reinforcing some aspects and reducing others. It has left me with one absolute, driving need - to do whatever I can to prevent any other family from going through the heartache and grief that cancer and ill health brings. To that end I will do pretty well anything that will raise money. I am incredibly lucky to be here and able to do something and so I have no shame and no embarrassment in my quest to achieve my goal.

Consequently – even though it may not be a pretty sight (remembering that I will be fifty-two, undertall and now have one boob considerably larger than the other) at midnight on Saturday 17th May 2008 along with several thousand other women including my daughter, I will take off my top and walk 26.2 miles around the streets of London wearing a pink and sparkly bra, proudly lopsided, to raise money so that other men and women do not have to leave their families too soon. Please help me to achieve that by sponsoring Team Pink and Sparkly for as much as you can.