Hi folks, it’s been a while since I posted properly, but I wanted to pop by and say hello. Some might remember me, some may not. I stop in from time-2-time to see how folk are getting on and have been saddened to read so many of those that helped me SO much are still struggling. Some have even lost their battles already. I just wanted to let you know that although I don’t post as regularly as I used to, you are all very much in my thoughts.
I myself am doing well. This August will be my 2 year anniversary from my last op and so far, so good 🤞🏻 there have been a few hiccups along the way but nothing unmanageable. I’m currently nearing the end of a personal challenge I set myself nearly 8 months ago now, which was to swim the English Channel distance (22 miles) every month for 8 months. That’s 176 miles in total. This is in aid of my darling Dad, who was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer last year. He underwent 8 gruelling weeks of daily treatment and I’m pleased to say he was given the all clear in Feb this year. I finish my challenge next month but am already well ahead of schedule 9km into my final ‘crossing’). This photo was taken yesterday whilst in Spain post-swim, where I’m swimming 3km everyday (for 16 days straight!) For this particular challenge I’m raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK, but I’m already devising my next big challenge in aid of OC.
Anyways - my love & light go out to you all. You inspire me everyday with your stories of courage and determined grit, no mater what this ba*tard disease tries to throw at you! To you my sister soldiers, who I think of often xx
P.S. If anyone would like to know more about my challenge, let me know and I can DM you my JustGiving page. I don't think I'm allowed to put this on the thread. x
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Mrs_Atko
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How lovely to hear from you and read how you're doing. I'm so impressed with all that swimming and think you're very brave. You must be very strong!! I'm so pleased your Dad has the all clear. I was sad for you when I read that he had prostate cancer when you came back from one of your adventures.
Thanks lovely - it was a real shock when he was diagnosed last year (and after losing my darling Mum is 2013 to liver cancer and then having my own battles with OC in 2016!)...I'm just glad he's been given the all clear (for now!) Hope you are doing ok hun xx
Not bad, making the most of life as best I can!! Recently went to Venice with my friend and had a load of laughs, made a four tier wedding cake last week and going to Gibraltar in June! Have been on watch and wait for six months but expect more chemo soon but you never know I might be able to spin it out a bit longer!!! Hoping we all can continue to make the best of a rotten job!! Xx
Swim for us all mrs A.... that is the most incredible feat of physical endurance I have heard on this forum...
In a way I am so jealous as I could not even get in and out of a pool these days let alone swim a 25 metre length
Every year up to about age 65 I used to swim lengths to match my new age. I loved swimming - you can solve problems, go into a zen mode and feel really ' endorphined ' and relaxed
Haha thanks Janet! I certainly wouldn't have been up to this 2 years ago that's for sure! But swimming has always been something I've loved as my Dad was a swimming coach in his youth AND swam the English Channel when he was my age, so inevitably we were all water babies! And yes, I agree...swimming really allows you to switch off from the world and becomes almost hypnotic. And hey...what girl doesn't want to be a mermaid! 🧜♀️ Thanks again and hope you're doing ok xx
Fantastic photo and really impressed by your swim. I’m another lapsed swimmer and really need to get back to it for my physical and mental strength. So pleased to hear your good news. Jo 🌸🌻🌺🌼🌹
Thanks Jo - definitely get back into it if you can (and with the summer upon us, take advantage of the outdoor Lido's being available too!) Hope you're doing ok xx
Yes thanks. On tamoxifen to try to slow down the regrowth of tumours. Scan results mid June but in the meantime, I’m off to Crete tomorrow with my sister for a week. Our villa has a pool so I can swim every day 🙂
Awww this is so great to hear you’re off for some well deserved R&R...that’ll do more for your soul then any of the treatment. Have a truly wonderful time hun. Hope the sun shines for you every day ☀️ I will keep everything crossed for your scan results next month xx
I was just thinking about you the other day and wondering what fabulous adventure you must be off on now. I’m so glad you are doing really well, and hats off to you for completing that challenge. My daughter did her 400m swimming badge last week, and I felt tired just watching her!
Hi sweetie, how are you doing? I've seen a few posts so know you've been through the mill. And thanks! You know me, always off doing some crazy challenge or on another adventure. Can never sit still! Well done to your daughter though. 400m is a great achievement. And knowing you're there supporting her will mean a lot. Much love as always, J xxx
Thanks Gwen - home on Thursday (and looking forward to a few days rest! The shoulders are certainly feeling the near 48km I've swum in nearly 16 days!!) xx
Wow, don't you look amazing! And very well done on your swimathon! What an incredible achievement. I have just completed a walking marathon raising funds for OC research centre in Australia, on the exact day I finished treatment 1 year ago. Such an empowering and emotional day so can only imagine what you are feeling achieving this incredible feat. Well done and all the best to you, your dad and your next mission xx
Thanks hun and well done you on your own fabulous achievement. It was whilst I was here in Spain, back in April 2016 when I first figured there was something wrong (tummy distention mainly along with some other symptoms) and even more noticeable because I am always in a swimming costume when I'm here. I got home and the following month I was diagnosed. I hadn't even had my first op this time 2 years ago and then had two, 6 weeks apart. I certainly don't make a good patient and the scars are a daily reminder, so to be able to do this challenge has been wonderfully motivating (and a little bit emotional) and even more so due to my Dad's own journey. Thanks again for your post - hope you are doing well on your journey xx
Mrs A lovely to hear you are doing so well, I often wander how you are getting on. It’s so inspirational to hear about you doing all these challenges, and you look lovely in the pic.
Hi Jemima, how lovely to hear from you again, it’s fab that you are doing so well and I’m really impressed with your swimming challenge and what an excellent cause you’re supporting. It’s great to hear your dad is doing so well too, long may the good health continue for both of you.
I’m a little envious of your swimming, I’m no mermaid, more of a doggy paddler, walking is my thing, I lose myself in my surroundings and managed not to get mowed down by traffic so far, since February this year I’ve walked the equivalent of the Serengeti, who knew 😂. Keep swimming, it’s fabulous all round exercise and all exercise is so so good for the soul.
Keep well lovely, it’s great to hear from you let us know how your fund raising goes. Could you pm me your just giving page details.
Thanks Jane - lovely to hear from you too. And hey, there's nowt wrong with a bit of doggy paddling if it gets you in the water. But hey...you've walked to Serengeti since February! Bravo to you! DM'ing you now. Thanks sweetie xx
Mrs-_Atko--so impressed with you! We haven't "met" but I love what you are doing as I am a swimmer and did the calculations and even though I swim 44-50 laps per morning in a 25 meter pool, I find that puts me way behind you! I love your goals and although I am thinking of starting my own, I have to figure out how much more I need to do (and the time involved!) to get near what you are doing--SO impressive.
I hope not to worry you but my Dad had prostate cancer (also treated for 8 grueling weeks then complete remission) then pancreatic three years later, and well, we know how that ended and then after I agreed to a clinical trial when diagnosed with OC, they did the genetic testing and found that I was BRCA II which I got from my father. Prostate and pancreatic are two BRCA cancers in males. Just want to make sure you have been tested --or that he gets tested.
So happy for your two years this August and may that continue forever as it should! I am going to spend the day doing my calculations for that English Channel swim! Thank you for the motivation! oxoxo Judy
Hi Judy, thanks for your lovely message. Hey, 44-50 laps per morning isn't half bad at all! Although I've been doing this challenge over 8 months, taking into consideration holidays and sickness (I've been rather unfortunate to have succumbed to all sorts over the winter, including the dreaded flu, numerous ear infections (no doubt caused by the leisure centre pool water) and random sickness bugs! My husband and I worked out the other day, I would have actually only had 5 viable months within the 8 I allotted myself. I swim 3km per swim (sometimes more if I have the time, although I think 4,500m has been my longest solo swim). I'm taking advantage of having a glorious, outdoor pool pretty much all to myself whilst I'm here in Spain, hence the 48km in 16 days, but once I get home, I'll only have a handful of swims left before my big final swim, which I intend to do at the Guildford Lido on Sat 23rd June (if anyone is around and fancies a fun day out in the sunshine, please do come along).
Thank you also for the information re: BRCA...I have had a similar discussion with another member on here.
Re: taking on an English Channel swim challenge yourself...if you're using a 25m pool, you're looking at roughly 1,416 lengths (circa 35,400m) so if you're swimming 50 lengths (1,250m) every morning, you'd have swum the equivalent distance in just over 28 days. Go for it!! xx
Hi sweetie, so lovely to hear from you and to hear you’re well and enjoying life with your boat trips and lovely grandchildren 💕 such blessings ☺️ keep in touch xx
I spend every night with my fan directioned at my head😳Hot flushes are such a bummer in this weather, but I am the only one hot in the midst of the freezing cold, so everyone uses me as a radiator lol!
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New here. In a bit of a pickle, to say the least!
Hello and goodbye (hopefully) lol
Hello, just been on a short cruise and now absolutely worn out and tired but it was worth it!
Enjoy life
Hello new to the group PPC
