Sad few months... and I'm apparently "doing a thing" Again!

I have struggled with writing something here for months. At the end of 2024 I wasn't sure what to write because I was in a period of uncertainty. The clinical trial had been hugely successful, reversing years of growth.  In late 2024 my scans started to show signs of treatment failure. As I said to my oncologist “I’ve seen this film before… and I didn’t like the ending”. There were signs of growth but nothing definitive; nothing that qualified as treatment progression. In November they asked me if I had developed a cough (not something you want your oncologist to ask). Apparently there was a tumour that was growing next to my right bronchus and they were concerned. We decided to try going up in dose to see if it would help and rescan in January. 

For some reason this spurred me to do what I said I would never do… sign up for a full marathon 🤦‍♀️. Looking back… I signed up on January 1st (maybe I was still under the influence?) 

Soon after, January hit my family like a runaway train. In short, my father was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer on January 2nd and we almost lost him on January 4th. Ironically he too had a tumour by his right bronchus, however his grew to completely obstruct that airway causing his lung to collapse. His one wish at that point was to be able to spend his last days at home, and that was able to happen. He was comfortable at home for the better part of February and the first half of March but things turned quickly and he passed on March 30th with my mom, myself and my siblings holding his hand. 

While walking this journey along side him for those 3 months, I needed to go for radiation to the spot in my lung. We joked about being bronchus buddies and having father/daughter radiation. This meant I had to stop the clinical trial I was on. 

Post radiation, while he was struggling to eat due to lack of appetite, I was struggling to eat and drink due to esophagitis (basically a burnt esophagus) secondary to the radiation I had. Not being able to eat or drink without morphine is not conducive to the marathon training plan!!

The esophagitis resolved after about 4 weeks just as my dad was entering his last days. I picked up my training and would do my runs from my parents’ house while he was in bed. These runs were getting slower and harder as time went on and I was getting frustrated. It wasn’t until my next CT (which was intended to be used to start a new trial) that we realized I had inflammation of my right lung secondary to the radiation (pneumonitis). So while I had a plausible explanation for my crappy running… it also meant that I couldn’t participate in the trial currently. I’ve continued to slog through my training, doing walk/runs as needed but it hasn’t been what I had hoped for. I’m holding out hope for this inflammation to resolve before the race and give me a little turbo boost of oxygen. 

I’ll certainly post another update about the emotional aspects of moving through all of this but that’s too much for one post!  My current focus is the marathon that I will finish no matter how long it takes me. 

A large motivator for the marathon was the team that I ultimately joined. A team started by a woman who gave me the courage and determination to continue running through cancer treatment. She was an Iron Man and Boston marathoner, completing an Iron Man even after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and completed it at the end of her chemotherapy treatment. Sindy Hooper defied the odds and lived for almost 12 years after initial diagnosis. 

This race will not only be to help continue her legacy and raise money for pancreatic cancer research but will also be a race for all of those who’ve gone before me. 

Make Every Moment Count (MEMC) is an inspiring team and I’m honoured to be raising money for them. 

I’ve included the link below, if you felt called to donate. I have also included a short video that showcases her radiance and zeal for life. 

I hope I can make her proud.  

DONATE HERE!