Home Sweet Home and Climbing More Mountains

The last month has seen adventure and holiday girl shomelanoma reappear which I know has been a welcome relief to both my husband David and also the Marsden Medical team (!) Last year after scaling Kilimanjaro (one of my lifetime best experiences), we signed up to Trek 8 Peaks in 48 Hours in the Lake District to raise funds for WellChild. At the time this seemed it would be a minor challenge compared to Kili and one that would be easily achieved. Little did I know that even taking part in the challenge let alone completing it would be a major personal achievement. Back in June while on my staycation in hospital, I didn’t even dare to think that I would be able to undertake the 8 Peaks in 48 Hours Lakes Challenge but it stayed in the back of my head as a goal and one I was determined to undertake.

Training for the challenge commenced in July when we started getting back out on walks which I loved, it was so good to leave London where it felt that I had been trapped for what seemed like ages. When the medical form arrived for the challenge, I knew this would need discussion with my Oncologist. The next visit to the Marsden I told the team I was taking part in a challenge … “What challenge?” my Oncologist inquired and when I told him the details he asked if there would be any scrambling? No, I responded. He told me he wasn’t going to stop me taking part but did warn of the effects the steroids may have had on my joints and bones making them weaker and told me to take good care.

A trip to Scotland was planned for late August and it was so good to catch up with family, go to the Edinburgh festival and also get out in the hills to do a bit of hiking. It felt great to be out in the fresh air of the Scottish hills and we were blessed with beautiful weather as we scaled Ben Lawyers near Killin in the Trossachs. Only one year before we had climbed this munroe as part of our Kili training and had been unable to see much as it was snowing (and that was in May!) but what a difference a year made. I was feeling the effects of the steroids as my ankles were getting really swollen and I did feel my heart racing climbing up the mountain but as David told me his heart was also racing and it just meant taking a few more stops than normal. We had a wonderful day in the hills and I felt sad leaving Scotland on the return back south.

During August, I continued to have weekly blood tests at the Marsden to monitor my liver ALT levels, which were now in the normal zone (below 40). The steroid weaning process was in progress and given I had started on such a high dosage 250mg it was going to take a while to get me off the drugs. I have been fortunate not to really suffer many side effects but by mid August I definitely felt I had the steroid moon face (albeit David and the girl squad reassured me that it was more a case of being ultra self-conscious and that it was barely noticeable) and I could feel weight shifting around my abdomen area, which made me feel a bit bloated. However, I was told by the team that given the level of steroids I had been on they were really surprised I hadn’t suffered more side effects and as David reminded me these drugs were necessary to get my liver levels stable again. On the plus side and I know the girls will like this the steroid puffy effect does iron out any wrinkles on your face and makes any ideas of botox or fillers unnecessary ha ha!   There is always a plus for every negative!

September arrived and I felt excited about the month ahead. First up was the annual girly trip to Copenhagen with my two best girlfriends Jen and Liz. We do a girly weekend every year and these are always special times. In the past these have usually been to sun drenched locations with lots of vino, retail therapy and beach action. This year we had a change and were off to the Scandi style capital Copenhagen. Both Jen and Liz have been amazing friends to me over the years and this year even more, words can’t say how much I have appreciated them being there for me. When I was in hospital earlier in the summer I don’t think any of us thought the girly weekend would happen this year so it was a real bonus I was well enough to go. Copenhagen is a gorgeous city and we had lots of fun. There was no alcohol consumed for the first time ever on a girly weekend but that didn’t matter as we discovered non-alcoholic cocktails and still sat up chatting in restaurants until 2am with the bonus of waking up with clear heads. We were not blessed with good weather apart from the last day when we cycled round the city but that didn’t matter as we went exploring with the waterproofs on and did a bit of retail therapy. The Danes have got their priorities right in life, they are very relaxed, healthy and have some of the most amazing food in the world. We had a special fun weekend and are already onto planning the destination for 2018!

Next up was the Lake District 8 Peaks in 48 Hours Challenge. Having taken part in these challenges over the last few years I knew I was definitely at my least fittest compared to previous years. I went to see my physio Des the day before setting off and told him I would be listening to my body and wouldn’t do anything daft. It wasn’t a race it was about completing the challenge. Friday morning dawned and we all set off to meet the rest of the group to start scaling the first mountain Hellvelyn (the first peak of 8). A number of the Kili team were also doing the challenge and it was so good to see them all and catch up. I started off in the front group but by the top of the Hellvelyn I knew that the pace they were walking at was going to be too quick so we moved into the second group. This felt much better as there were more breaks and I felt more comfortable. We climbed 3 Peaks on day one and day 2 scaled 5 Peaks including Scafell Pike. David and I had been up this mountain 2 years before as part of the 3 Peaks challenge and had seen nothing at 3 am in the morning in the pouring rain; it was fascinating to retrace the steps up Scafell Pike in the daylight. We were lucky to have clear views for the whole day and dry weather (a rare occurrence). I absolutely loved the 2^nd day of climbing and a huge thank you must go to the WellChild safety team who look after us so amazingly well on these challenges. It is no mean feat getting 48 climbers of mixed fitness and ability safely up and down 8 mountains with no major injuries. I was feeling quite euphoric completing the challenge and on a real high, we celebrated with a becks blue at the local pub in Keswick and were already onto discussing the next mountain challenge, watch this space.

David and I are now heading off to Corsica for a much-needed proper overseas holiday the first since my stage 4 melanoma diagnosis. I have had my picc line removed so that I can go swimming and more of the trip in the next blog.

I am now down to 20mg of steroids a day and when I get back from Corsica hopefully that will go down further assuming the liver ALT levels stay normal. Fingers crossed I will soon be off these drugs, get rid of the steroid puffy face and be feeling normal again with no major issues. I will be back to see my Oncologist on return from holiday and my next scans will be coming up next month.

I have learned and gained much support from the online support group melanoma-mates but this summer has been a sad time and there have been a number of members who have lost their lives to this vicious disease far too early and it is heartbreaking. It does further highlight how much more there is to do in finding a cure for advanced melanoma.

I am excited that we have a number of shomelanoma fundraising initiatives coming up in October and would love you to come and support them.

The shomelanoma team of David, Chris, Fraser and Fiona will all be running the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London on October 8 to raise funds for the melanoma team at the Royal Marsden.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/davidhadcroft

On October 19, the amazing Jonny Awsum will be hosting a comedy fundraiser in aid of the melanoma team at the Royal Marsden. Full details here, please come along bring your friends and help us raise funds for a very special cause.

http://buytickets.at/jonnycomedyfundraiser/115668

The no alcohol challenge continues and David has now reached day 168 (6 months on October 10) to support him reach day 200.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/shomelanoma

The date for the upcoming danceathon is to be confirmed, more coming in the next blog.

Thank you again for all your messages of support, they all keep me smiling. Stay tuned.