Yesterday was my 4 year runniversary, 4 years since I started C25K. Most of you will know I was diagnosed with breast cancer last December, half way through my half marathon training. I continued with my training right up until my op in January, running 18 KMs two days before my surgery.
The operation knocked me for six, my surgeon told me I would still be able to take part in my HM, six weeks after my surgery. Ha ha, he needs his bumps felt! I couldn't walk to the Co-op for about three weeks! The procedure itself was a bit grim, I will spare you all the details, but it involves radio-active injections in the nipple, and a 8 inch copper wire inserted into the tumour....and that's before the surgery itself...
Two hours in the theatre, but I was able to go home the same day. I got most problems going, a Seroma, a large fluid filled lump on one of my wounds that had to be drained three times, an infection in the other wound which needed super strength antibiotics, and "cording" - a sort of waxy tendon like structure that grows from where the lymph nodes had been, from the armpit to the wrist.
A few weeks R&R, then on to the radiotherapy... that's what has really done me in! The main side effect is fatigue, I've never been so knackered in all my life! Sleeping at least nine hours a night, plus a siesta...however, I am usually ok in the mornings so that's when I do my running!
I was able to defer my HM entry to next year, they don't normally do that, and as way of saying thank you I marshaled at the start of the race. two hours standing around in the bitter cold was almost too much for me, but I got a cool bright green jacket and a goody bag.
I'm back in France now, the land of the lumps - it's very hilly here! To cap it all I had a bad fall on my injured side on the journey over, sprained my wrist, twisted my pelvis, pulled loads of muscles, bumps and bruises...Still, you can't keep a CurlyGurly down for long, I'm redoing C25K with the lovely Laura, up to week 4 at the moment.
Yes, I've had a bit of a grim few months, but I know from a BC support group I use, that my journey has been a walk in the park compared to what some ladies go through. I still have my breast, well most of it lol, and I kept my hair.
My surgeon and my oncologist assure me that they got all the nasty cancer at the operation, the radiotherapy and hormone treatment, Tamoxifen for 5 years, are just insurance.The fatigue normally continues for three months after the rads treatment finishes, I'm about 7 weeks on, so looking forward to having a bit more energy soon. If not, I'll deal with life as it is, I'm still here, I can still run, cancer can just f*ck off and do one...
As my dear friend Iannoda told me four years ago - keep running, keep smiling. XXX
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Curlygurly2
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Thank you! It wasn't fates it was waves - the Bay of Biscay was very rough, and I think my treatment has affected my balance, which was never good to start with! It frightened the crap out of me, us "Pink" ladies are prone to lymphoedema, but I seem to have got away with it.
I find wearing minimalist shoes helps me with balance.
Heartily glad to hear no lymphoedema though the most stylish of my old uni friends (now, she was not then) absolutely rocked a compression garment on her arm. And my own health issues were taken more seriously when I wore support bandages
I got up to go to the bathroom in the night, and was catapulted back out the door - of course cabin bathrooms have a big step up - 8 - 10 inches or so, so I fell quite a long way down. It's knocked me back a bit I can tell you.
As you say, you sure have had a grim few month and all the best for your next C25K "graduation". That post has inspired me to go for a run now, also in France. A quick listen of "Dont give up" by Peter Gabriel and "Running up that hill" by Kate Bush and I'm off !
parkrun.fr - Divonne les Bains - great parkrun which just celebrated its first anniversary. I crossed the border and ran in the woods in Switzerland this morning - redone C25K there times and now back to 3 * 30 mins a week now after recovering from achilles injuries. Here hoping that all goes well and I'm sure you'll be doing that HM asap.
Oh that sounds gorgeous. I've redone the programme several times too, I've had achilles tendonitis too, and also plantar fascitis, that one's a bugger! Thank goodness for C25K eh? Never lets us down....
Oh Curlygurly, you have certainly been through it. I wish you a speedy recovery, and renewed energy, and happy healing runs to come. Thank you for sharing. You have an amazing attitude and such strength; I am in awe of you. x
Wow! What courage and perseverance! The next time I’m having a bad day or a s**t run i’ll think of you and your challenges and give myself a swift kick up the a**e. Thank you! And good luck!
I think about you often. Thanks for an update. I’m glad the “worst” is over and you are on the mend. It sounds like a tough time. I totally understand wanting to get a surgeons bumps when they tell you. Oh you’ll be ok in ........ weeks and you still feel floored, so frustrating. Chin up and keep coming back on here, I found everyone’s progress helped me. It is going to be a great race report when you do your HM, I’ve got my one on Sunday. Take care. Rfc x.
My teeth are the flippin' bane of my life to be honest ! I am back at the dentist in July for a review to discuss a dental bridge. Im just praying that I dont have any further problems before that
Yes I have just started a new HM plan , and I am determined to do the Manchester Marathon next year that I missed out on this year .
My teeth are pretty fragile too, just seen my wonderful dentist here in France, he fixed one that was practically broken off at the gum...lovely white filling, 50 Euros, and I get most of that back with the European card. Oh, and he's quite decorative too lol!
Best of luck with your training, I'm determined I'll do the HM I missed next year too.
Hope the worst is behind you now, and you continue to get stronger again. You have always been a source of great tips and encouragement to me, thank you😊x
Good luck with re- running the program as you rebuild your stamina. xxx
Sorry things have been rough - and you could have done with out the fall as well. Glad to hear you are back with Laura. Happy runniversary and here's to life getting back some normality for you soon. Thanks for the update, had been wondering. x
You are such an inspiration. Writing this trying not to cry. Sending you the biggest hug and best wishes I can and an even bigger kick to cancer. You go girl. So so proud of your determination xx
Wow how amazing are you, and good on you for getting up and carrying on. Life can throw some shit curve balls at you sometimes, how you deal with them is a different story. And here you are telling your story. Very inspirational. Thank you for sharing and hit those curve balls far away. Happy runniversary, keep running 🏃♀️😍
Good to hear from you Curlygurly2. I am pleased to hear that, despite torrid times, you are back. You have kicked cancer up the butt and bounced off the floor of a ferry. Running will be easy after that! 👍🏃🏾♀️💥
Just amazing...inspirational is the word... all sounding positive at last... ( your antics on the ferry excepted)...back on track and looking simply wonderful.
As ever my friend, I send you a huge hug...( not too tight though) and a wish, that you enjoy every moment of this build up and get back to where you left the running path.
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xxx
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