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
xxx
A little update since graduation
Back to 5k! (And a heckling little s**t)
🎉 4 year runniversary 🎉
1 Year Runniversary ;-)
My 1 year runniversary! 
