about me
In 2011 I was just any old 31 year old, taking a couple of years away
from a mundane job in the UK to travel/live in mainland Europe. On a
Christmas visit to the UK I went to the doctor and......BAM. Large
growth, scans, blood tests, fear and uncertainty. Major abdominal
surgery and a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, stage 1A. 3 months later,
March 2012, I was in follow-up treatment, feeling dazed, confused and,
as the clouds cleared, very very lucky.
Only 36% of all UK women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will still be alive 5 years later and lack of knowledge about the symptoms of this illness is a major factor in late diagnosis and therefore a lowered survival rate.
For the next 3 years of follow-up treatment I'll be attending regular hospital appointments so this what I can do to make my life a little wilder again, raise money for charity and let more people know about the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Starting in March 2014 I will walk from my home in Machynlleth to a hospital appointment in Bristol then, during the six months before the next appointment I'll walk around, through, in, under and over Wales, in all its wonderful variation before returning to Bristol. Then, after the second hospital visit, I'll walk north, following the river Wye up to the mountain Plynlimon and over, home to Machynlleth.
Along the way I hope to raise money for Target Ovarian Cancer and Penny Brohn Cancer Care and to let people know about the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
According to figures from Target Ovarian Cancer, one year survival in Wales (a sign of late diagnosis) is significantly lower in Wales than the UK average - 66.3% vs 69.9%. We can change this by talking about it!
So, please - follow me, fund my charities, join me, talk about me, walk with me.....! Get involved!
Only 36% of all UK women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will still be alive 5 years later and lack of knowledge about the symptoms of this illness is a major factor in late diagnosis and therefore a lowered survival rate.
For the next 3 years of follow-up treatment I'll be attending regular hospital appointments so this what I can do to make my life a little wilder again, raise money for charity and let more people know about the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Starting in March 2014 I will walk from my home in Machynlleth to a hospital appointment in Bristol then, during the six months before the next appointment I'll walk around, through, in, under and over Wales, in all its wonderful variation before returning to Bristol. Then, after the second hospital visit, I'll walk north, following the river Wye up to the mountain Plynlimon and over, home to Machynlleth.
Along the way I hope to raise money for Target Ovarian Cancer and Penny Brohn Cancer Care and to let people know about the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
According to figures from Target Ovarian Cancer, one year survival in Wales (a sign of late diagnosis) is significantly lower in Wales than the UK average - 66.3% vs 69.9%. We can change this by talking about it!
So, please - follow me, fund my charities, join me, talk about me, walk with me.....! Get involved!
