Exceptional Circumstances

Hi Everyone! 

This year, I've signed myself up for three challenges

1. Three Peaks
2. 10k Run (Race for Life)
3. 100 Mile Bike Ride. (details to be finalised!)

Crazy right? Not only is this my idea of hell but I’m relatively unfit. I weigh 11stone2lb, I’m 5”7. I like to think I’m a size 12 but I’m secretly back up to a 14. I hate getting off my back side and putting the effort in when it comes to working out.

I have chronic back pain after a motorbike accident where I fractured my back, have asthma am an ex smoker (not a brilliant combination) and, I’m a serial dieter. Not the greatest starting point J (I’ll put my violin away now)

 So why am I doing this?  

Well, there are two reasons.

1. I think it’s about time I got off my back side and did something, and if I can inspire people in a similar boat who hate the gym and all the tiny people inside it then great! If I can do this then most people can..
2. I’m raising money and awareness for my beautiful, kind hearted, brave and brilliant friend Katy.

Katy, at 13 was diagnosed with a condition called FAP (Familal Adenomatous Polyposis)

It’s called by a faulty gene and effects approximately 1 in 10,000 people. In simple terms this means that small growths (polyps) form in the bowel and if they aren’t treated in time these growths almost certainly develop into cancer.

Katy’s polyps had turned pre cancerous and immediately had to have her large intestine removed.

As if this wasn’t enough shortly after her surgery, Kay developed a rare tumour called a desmoid. Approximately 10% of FAP patients develop these tumours which grown into fibrous tissue and cover muscle and other organs. These can be life threatening if they are located next to organs. Katy now has two.

At 28, Katy now manages these tumours with anti cancerous medicines however; they have had a completely different effect on her and her husband’s life. Katy has been advised that although she can conceive doing so would carry an extremely high risk of fatality. Not just for the baby but also for her.

Katy’s family are incredible and last year her sister (who has a family of her own) volunteered to be a surrogate for her. Wow. This mean’s a lot of cold hard cash and is where I want to do anything I can to help. These treatments are by no mean’s cheap and although Katy and her husband have been saving hard I want to help make their dream become a reality sooner and, if we can raise awareness about FAP and IVF struggles along the way, even better! 

So here I am, bearing my sole and hoping for as much support as I can get.

Thanks for taking the time to visit and remember no amount is too small :)