Happy New Year – Goodbye 2018 A Year of Adventure

As 2018 comes to a close we will soon be welcoming a new year, I find myself feeling grateful that December has passed without the major dramas of the last 2 years. As my close friend Liz said to me last year I think you should press fast forward when you get to the month of December given that last year I discovered the new tumour in my brain and the year before the malignant lymph gland under my left arm plus pre cancer cells in my right breast. So this year I feel fortunate (and I am touching wood now) I have been able to enjoy a lovely December with family and friends that I have been cherishing to the max but being a stage 4 cancer patient I am only too aware how quickly things can change.

I have been on a big high having just returned from the adventure of a lifetime to Argentina and Chile, which exceeded all expectations. After previous disappointments cancelling trips, I hadn’t dare get myself too excited about the holiday especially having been ill with a horrid virus just before leaving for Argentina. I honestly didn’t believe I would be going on the trip until I boarded the flight to Buenos Aires. It turned out to be a wonderful experience and I loved and treasured every moment of the holiday. As we were away for a month it gave me time to switch off and not think about melanoma and that mentally gave me a huge boost. I felt freedom that I hadn’t felt for a long time where no one knew me or anything about my health condition. It was a gorgeous action packed trip and there was never a dull moment. In fact it was so good that David said he needed another holiday on return to recover!!

From the tango hot pot of Buenos Aires we travelled north to the incredible Iguazu Falls one of the wonders of the natural world, which blew us away. We then headed south to the beautiful lake district of northern Patagonia and had a week exploring there before heading to Southern Patagonia and the glacial national parks where we were stunned by the beauty of the Andes, which contrast with the cool blue of the glacial lakes. We spent 2 weeks there and over the border in Chile hiking on the most beautiful trails and were blessed with glorious weather. For me it was up there with the stunning Himalayas in Asia and just reinforced how much I love being in the mountains. Here are some of the highlights.

I was hugely relieved that the trip passed without any medical incidents. On the 5 hour overland trip from El Calafate to Torres del Paine we were with a lovely Australian couple and as we drove through the remote landscape that at times feels the end of the earth and arrived at Torres del Paine, Chile, Shirley remarked “you wouldn’t want to be having a medical emergency in this back of beyond location”. Before I left the UK, the doctor at the Marsden had told me we don’t want to be hearing from you until you get back so when I was tempted to send a message saying all was going well David reminded me not to tempt fate as I would press send and something would go wrong. When I returned to Marsden HQ after getting back from the trip all was good and I was ready to start celebrating the Xmas season with family and friends.

While we were away in Argentina the Shomelanoma fundraising for melanoma research at the Royal Marsden continued with full gusto. My gorgeous cousin Iain, his wife Siobhan and daughter Amanda pushed out all the stops and took things to a new level holding a WAXATHON fundraiser. Photos have been edited and the pain for my cousin and his friend Adam was all was all worth it as they raised over £4,000 which was just incredible and I have to say a huge thank you to all who also took part. Amanda’s employer Barclays kindly fund matched so a BIG thank you to them too and everyone who supported and donated.

Meanwhile in Dubai my good friend Jane ran the Dubai half marathon raising more funds and Lyndsey Graham’s company undertook a second fundraising day in Glasgow. The High n Dry golf society of which my brother in law, Iain, was captain this year, have also donated £1k to the fund from their recent Marbella tour and I am delighted to say that once all the funds have been received the Shomelanoma fundraising total will be over £39k which is amazing news just 18 months after we began the fundraising. Next month I’ll provide a full update on the melanoma research projects at RMH that the money is helping to fund plus some of the upcoming fundraisers for 2019. If you would like to host or participate in your own challenge please let me know.

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

A massive thank you to everyone who has hosted participated and donated in all of the Shomelanoma fundraisers. They have been challenging, fun and most of all I have loved seeing all the smiles and laughter on everyone’s face as I look back through the photos of all the events.

As I look back on 2018 there have been huge highs and lows from the start of the year emergency trip to A ad E in Cornwall through to the fabulous holiday at the end of the year to Argentina which I never thought would happen. I continue to be immensely grateful for the wonderful care I receive from Professor Larkin, Nikki and all of the melanoma team at Marsden HQ plus the kickass drugs that are keeping me alive . I am also remembering all of those with melanoma and other cancers who have not made it to the end of the year and am acutely aware of how much still needs to be done both to prevent the continued rise of melanoma cases and also develop new drugs that will help more patients with advanced disease survive.

I am also aware of how quickly things can change and the ongoing mental challenge of living your life on a scan by scan basis. As I have mentioned before the drugs I am currently on work for an average of 12 months which of course is making me nervous in the lead up to the next scans as I have been on them for a year. I realize this is only natural.

For now wishing all family and friends a wonderful and healthy 2019, your kindness, messages and support mean everything and keep me going when times get tough. Here’s to more adventure and fun times in 2019.