Nine weeks until 3 Peaks day - Register today!

Hello everyone

I hope you are all well and have some wonderful plans for this coming weekend :)

For those of you who have registered for the 3 Peak challenge, I hope your training is doing well. 9 weeks sounds a lot, but in reality it is going to fly by in no time. Getting out to get the walks in is a little easier now the weather is improving, and off course been lighter longer on an evening also helps! As long as I have the strength to pick up my glass after in celebration - I'm happy with that....of course there are always straws available hee hee!

For those of you still undecided, think of all the positives you will garner from this wonderful challenge : a great feeling of well-being for not only raising money for charity, but awareness. Improving your own health and fitness through all your training, a toned up body, actively helping prevent certain cancers. The immense satisfaction that comes from completing a tough endurance event!

I am hoping that all available places are taken, it will not only have made this first annual event a massive success, but will ensure the event will be held again next year. So if you've been asking your friends and families to commit - get online now and book yourselves on it!.....the event has been opened and is been advertised on lostearthadventues.co.uk website too. It will be great to see you out on the peaks in the very beautiful Yorkshire Dales.

Although it has only been a couple of weeks since I stopped my cancer drug, I am already seeing improvements. It feels like the improvements are almost daily and it feels great! I cannot express how hard it has been to see and more importantly feel my mobility,flexibility and stiffness of my joints worsen on a daily basis. Not to mention the bone and muscle pains around my body. When I think back to this time 12 months ago - I was power walking 24-34 miles per week for my Walk the Walk London Moonwalk. So to go from that, to just about managing to walk around the supermarket is a tough place to be. It doesn't just frustrate on a daily basis - but it tears down your self esteem and confidence to really scary levels to be really honest. It's times like I've had in the last 12 months that makes you question everything you do, every action you take and every thought you have. But overall, I think I managed to stay pretty positive through it, I did have the odd day though, where even my cup half full attitude didn't cut it!

So the massive improvements I've had in such a short period of time are brilliant - I've been able to get back into the gym - not just once in a flood...but I went 3 days on the trot last week, I've been out walking Molly in the woods, I've been physically active everyday. I'm starting to already push myself more in the gym. I have such a long way to fight back to where I was 12 months ago when I had changed to my last cancer drug - but I'm very determined to get there as quickly as possible. I am still at this time suffering from fatigue, but I'm trying really hard to push through it. So now I'm off the cancer and cholesterol drug ( using diet and food to control the cholesterol level which is thought to be high from the side effect of the cancer drug ), I'm hoping the weight gain, fluid retention and bloating will all reduce or finish completely.

The swollen and stiff joints in various parts of my body are getting better all the time, I can now ( most days ) get myself out of bed without having to use the radiator to pull myself up, I can also get my socks etc on without having to struggle while sitting down to get them on. I really feel like the old me is on her way back!!. I know I have a really long way to go, but actually for the first time in a year know I can get back to where I was before. The hard work it's going to take doesn't scare me, it makes me more determined!

So if I still believe I can in 9 weeks, get myself fit enough to successfully complete the 3 peaks challenge, I hope some of you who are not sure, will take some inspiration from where I've been in the last 12 months and think....do you know what....I can - and I will!

Hope to see your names when you're registering on this blog!

Until next time

Tracy

10 weeks to the 3 Peak sponsored challenge

Well in ten weeks on Sat June 2nd we will be taking on the Yorkshire 3 peaks challenge in aid of Walk the Walk breast cancer and Clic Sargent children's cancer charities.

This is an amazing challenge that will push us non professional walkers probably to our limits - but I know it will be worth every ache, pain and probable blister! On a personal front it will give you a high from completing a tough endurance challenge. At least the challenge is in a beautiful scenic part of the country! Of course been a Yorkshire lass and very proud to be so, it will be great to be able to show off a small bit of our gorgeous county!

So remember we are meeting at the Station Inn Pub at Ribblehead Viaduct at 07.00am for a breakfast buttie and hot drink before we commence on our trek ( the breakfast buttie sold this challenge to my big brother - no other words were needed lol! )

We have a wonderful trek company looking after and guiding us over the 3 peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough - www.lostearthadventures.co.uk , Richard and his team of experts are there to make sure we are all safe. If for any reason you cannot finish the challenge, there is a support vehicle to take you back to the start.

On our successful return to the Station Inn pub, there will be soup and a sarnie provided...if you are still peckish after this, there is a full menu available for you to buy from. I hope that you will consider staying over night with us to celebrate our completion of War on Cancer's first annual Yorkshire 3 peak challenge.

All successful trekkers will receive a certificate on their return.

So if you want to be one of those trying to stretch our their sore muscles on Sun June 3rd, 10 weeks today with me - then please go to the "Event Details" tab, register and pay your entry fee, come help raise not only money but awareness for cancer this coming summer!

Don't leave it too late to secure your place with us. I look forward to walking with you all.

Until next time

Tracy

Yorkshire 3 Peak sponsored challenge-registration opened up

Good morning to you all on this glorious spring morning!

I hope today finds you well and happy! I have opened up the Yorkshire 3 peak sponsored challenge, www.lostearthadventures.co.uk who are the company who are our mountain leaders and support on June 2nd have said they will advertise the challenge on their web-site too.

From War on Cancer's point of view it is really important to fill the limited places to optimise the fund-raising potential, this event will be the biggest single fund-raiser in War on Cancer's 2012 calender, so I want to make it count as much as we can.

For those of you who still say you are going to join us on this wonderful walk, all I can say is please get yourselves registered and entry fee's paid. I would hate for you to decide later that you are definitely up for it, only for you to find that all the places have been filled. So come along and have a tough but very rewarding day in the most beautiful Yorkshire Dales with me and like minded people who want to prove something to themselves while raising money for cancer along the way. You will feel on top of the world with your achievement of completing this endurance event.

We will be holding another charity car wash in April, I learned a lot from the first and we will have better and more visible posters advertising the event on the day. It was great fun and the weather will definitely be warmer for this one!

I have been prescribed some different painkillers for my joint/bone pain, so far they along with stopping my cancer drug have got me managing the pain better, so much that I had my first session in the gym for quite a few weeks! I am really happy about this and I will be back in there today. It's still early days, but I will see how I get on. I am waiting to start physio on my back, so hope that as that settles down I will be much better and be able to push myself harder in the gym, I have a lot of catching up to do.

So with that in mind, my plan is to get in the gym everyday for at least 30 mins cardio work and built up my time and endurance over the next few weeks.

As I said, I will be staying off my cancer drug for the next few month's to see if my joint/bone pain disappears or at least gets to a level where I can come off the pain meds altogether, I am becoming adverse to taking them and have to force myself some mornings. I have a real mental battle going on lol, it's hard knowing that some of these meds are for the rest of my life and this is because of the cascade of problems I've had from taking the cancer prevention drug. So the sooner I can get off some of them, and get my life back, the happier I'll be!

Remember it is still March recycling month, so contact me if you have anything you want to recycle..... unwanted gifts, old mobile phones or items for car boot sales.

It doesn't matter if you live far away from me, or even somewhere else in the world....you can still be part of War on Cancer, you can still support and fund-raise wherever you are. You can hold a car boot, or a yard sale,do a charity car wash, do an old mobile/cell phone collection and send them to a recycling plant that gives extra back for charity and after you've done whatever fundraising event.... bank the money in your account and then click on the donate button and add the money you've raised to War on Cancers coffers! Contact me on the blog, drop me a line about what you did to raise money for War on Cancer, how well it was received, did you all have fun etc and I will write a piece about it and you on the blog. All support worldwide is more than welcome, cancer crosses all borders and knows no boundaries, no-one is immune from the potential threat of this life threatening disease. Help me raise money to help with the task of eradicating cancer for future generations.

Thank you for all your support

Until next time

Tracy

10 weeks on Saturday! - get registered!!

Hello everyone!

Yes it is only 10 weeks this coming Saturday until War on Cancer's first annual Yorkshire 3 peak sponsored challenge! - wow, we best get on with our training lol!

For those who are seriously wanting to take up this wonderful challenge, registration closes on March 31st - so please check out the event details tab to check how to register and pay your entry fee - here's what's included in your entry fee :-

Mountain leader for every 10 walkers

Support vehicle for those who cannot complete the walk/injured

Breakfast butty and hot drink prior the start

Soup and a sarnie on completion

Certificate for successful entrants

Kit list issued on registration

Many of us are staying over, I don't know whether the pub has any rooms left, however camping over the wall is FREE!! ( please stay - I'm sure I'll need hoisting to me feet the next morning hee hee )

I hope to enjoy a Post Peak Pint with you all, we can drink and be smug at completing a beautiful, tough, world famous walk - and even better we will have raised awareness and money for two worthy cancer charities.

If you can tell your family and friends about this event, that would be swell! You may not want to or be able to join the event yourself, but someone you know may want to challenge themselves.

You can support also by clicking the donate button - all donations gratefully accepted!

Thank you for supporting War on Cancer and myself, it really does mean the world to me :)

Until next time

Tracy

Registration for Yorkshire 3 Peak challenge closes end of March

Hello everyone

I hope this Wednesday finds you all well and in good sorts. The registration for the Yorkshire 3 Peak sponsored challenge closes at the end of March. So there is still time for you to register and make sure your place is booked and confirmed.

The picture is of Whernside which is 2415ft high, the Settle - Carlisle railway runs between the mountains and across the Ribblehead viaduct. This is one of the peaks we will be climbing.

The first recorded ascent of the 3 peaks was in July 1887 by J.R.Wynne-Edwards and D.R.Smith in 10 hours. ( if I get done in 10 hours I will be over the moon for sure! )

We walk the 3 peaks in a circuit and will ascend and descend 5,249ft and approx 25 miles, the distance differs depending on where you start the walk. The 3 peak walk is world famous and is in a very beautiful part of England.

I hope you consider joining me on this endurance walk and help turn the Yorkshire Dales pink for the day. Some of us are staying over to make sure we can fully celebrate our success of finishing the trek, some have booked into the pub for B&B ( the Station Inn telephone no is in the event details tab if you are thinking of booking a room ), I'm not sure if there are any vacancies left, you can try ringing the Station Inn. Some of us are going for the full experience - we are camping over the wall from the pub - even better - camping is free!! I hope you guys are going to help me get up onto my feet the next morning lol!

I would like nothing better than to have a Post Peak Pint with you all, it will be the perfect end to what will have been a tough but very rewarding day!

I can promise you that the feeling of completing this endurance walk will be the best feeling ever.knowing how much training you have put in will make it a special day indeed.

Doing all the exercise to get ready for the big day will give you many health improvements, and as I've said before, exercise actively reduces the risk of certain cancers. Just think how fit and toned you will be in time for summer! I bet you'll feel better in your summer clothes :)

Check out the "Events tab" for details of how to register and pay your entry fee. If you think this challenge isn't for you, please still tell your friends and family, share on your facebook wall and twitter it out there, people you know may want to take this up. Not only will you be helping to raise money for two very worthy cancer charities, but you will be helping raise cancer awareness.....for many people it's still an illness that they don't want to talk about, it is important we do all we can to help break down the barriers and stop cancer being a taboo subject.

If you can't do this challenge, but still want to support the event and War on Cancers cause, you can do so by clicking donate here on the blog. The donate button links directly to Paypal, a very secure way to exchange money online.

Remember March is our re-cycle month, contact me if you have an old mobile you wish to donate, unwanted stuff for car boots or unwanted gifts we can use in a tombola. Thank you for everything you do to support War on Cancer - it really does mean the world to me, you all help me achieve my dream of helping others.

Until next time

Tracy

The outcome from my recent consultation

Hello everyone, hope this Monday 12th March finds you all well :)

As you know I went to see the Rheumatologist last week full of hope for a miracle on the scale of Harry Potters skills! although I didn't get the miracle I was craving, I did come away feeling happier than I have for a while. The information and suggestions the consultant has come up with,and my own personal decisions I have made based on the information hopefully will help my life improve dramatically.

The first thing is my joint, bone and muscle pains aren't caused through inflammation - this is a good thing believe it or not the consultant said to me ( I really didn't think so right at that moment as my back and hands were in a bad way). It really is the best news, this means the joint pains aren't caused through Arthritis or Rheumatism - so I asked her if it was then in fact my medication that was causing the pains, yes she said. I told her when I was at the breast clinic in the previous November for my six month check-up, I had discussed my joint pains etc, they told me in no way was it my cancer drug that was causing this problem....and this is why I was sat with her today, she said her clinic see's many ladies from the breast clinic with the same problems. I can tell you I was not very happy, it has been another six months of pain and discomfort that possibly needn't have happened. I feel sorry for the breast clinic doctor when I go in May - they will be getting a piece of my mind for sure! I told her the Tramadol don't actually touch the pain at all.

She asked if I'd had any physio on my back, the answer to that is no. She wasn't overly impressed with this ( bearing in mind my back issue is about 18 months in the making, it in itself has been complicated with other problems and investigations - at first it was assumed my back problem was in fact part of the problem I'm having with my lower pelvic area), she is sending a letter to my GP practice for them to organise physio locally to me ( can't wait ).

She asked how I was sleeping, I said not good, and that I haven't for years now. I told her it wasn't just the back pain or joint pain that prevented me sleeping, there's also the lower pelvic aches and pains,bladder issues and of course flushes! - I told her I mainly catnap through the night and don't ever really get restorative sleep and I can't remember the last time I did.

She is putting me on a drug that she says will help me get off to sleep, she says it won't probably keep me asleep all night, but the few hours I get will be restorative and so I should feel better, she also said it will help with my pains. So here's hoping the drug does everything the doc says lol - I'll be feeling like a new woman :)

We discussed the ridiculous uncontrolled weight gain I've been suffering for about 18 months, I told her about following the "healthy plate" most of the time and up to Sept all the exercise I had been doing, I told her it had been difficult in recent months due to the increasing pain and stiffness in my joints and of course my back problems. She said after the invasive treatments I'd gone through, they try to minimise the meds you are put on because the body has been through so much, however now she has recommended a weight loss drug to try kick start my system into weight loss, she says combined with the painkiller and physio hopefully I will be able to get back into the gym and then hopefully lose weight and watch the effect snowball.

The weight is not only an issue because of where it is ( central ), this is a very dangerous place to carry excessive weight, it can lead to many serious and life threatening illnesses, but also the extra strain on my skeleton, having being diagnosed with Osteoporosis last April ( due to chemo induced menopause), seen as my back is already bad, any extra weight is just going to make the situation worse. So at last someone is listening to my concerns and actually agrees with me!

She was really surprised and couldn't understand why I wasn't on Calcium and Vitamin D supplements to go with the Alendronic acid I take for the Osteoporosis...she is informing my Gp's to prescribe both for me. Due to the chemo induced menopause I am what they call in a premature menopause, this could have a big effect on my life as I cannot have any hormone replacement therapy due to the cancer, so any and all help with keeping my bones as strong as possible is essential for me to lead a normal life.

It probably seems strange to you all, but I feel validated after my consult, this did make me happy even though things are far from sorted and the pains as still there, however, someone acknowledged my current health based on facts and didn't try and wrap it up under the cancer umbrella. Hopefully her suggested meds and steps forward will get me back on track. She said I have and still are in a really harsh place regarding my health and I have had more thrown at me than anyone should have to endure, but she could see I want so very much to be able to get out there. And I do, I want to take my place in the world again full-time instead of these little pockets of energy and determination.

So with everything that happened and the information I was given, I have decided to stop taking my cancer drug. I didn't make this decision overnight, nor do I take this decision lightly. I know the medical profession will strongly disagree with me over this, and while I can appreciate where they are coming from, I cannot live the "life at all costs", this is in fact not living but existing and I don't want to do that. I am too young to carry on as I have for the last 18 months, so for me quality of life is more important than quantity. I believe in living life to the fullest and having no regrets.....I have to come off the drug and see if all my joint stiffness and bone pains etc go. If in a few months it turns out there is no difference to my current health problems, then I will consider going back on it, however if my health improves dramatically and I can actually get out there and live my life actively, then I know from my own personal point of view my decision was right for me....and like I want, I will have no regrets.

So moving forward, I hope to quickly get on with my physio and then into the gym to get on with my training not only for the Yorkshire 3 peaks, but Mt.Kilimanjaro.

Until next time

Tracy

Yorkshire 3 Peak sponsored challenge-get your registration completed!

Top of the morning to you all!

Please remember closing date for challenge entry is end of March - not long to go! The actual trek is Saturday June 2nd, meeting at The Station Inn at 07.00am for a hot drink and breakfast butty before setting off on a beautifully scenic 25 mile trek in the Yorkshire Dales - this is a world famous walk and definitely one off the bucket list! ( everything included in the entry fee is in the Event Detail tab )

Anyone who has decided to take up this wonderful event to raise money for two wonderful cancer charities and of course challenge yourself, I thank you for not only hopefully raising lots of money, but helping spread the word about War on Cancer and cancer awareness in general.

If you have decided to join the challenge, you need to register and pay the entry fee here on the blog, details of how to do so are in the "Event details" tab - please don't leave it until the last minute as I would hate for you to be disappointed as it is a limited place event.

Those of you who have registered and paid your entry fee already, can you make sure to send back your completed and signed booking forms to me, these are the trek company and are for the liability insurance. These must be returned to ensure you are covered.

There may still be rooms available ( Phone no in event details tab ), camping is free! for those wanting to stay over and celebrate a great achievement with Post Peak Pints with me!! - I will most probably need the help of most of you to get out of my tent the following morning lol!

Advertising for this event will be coming thick and fast now, please try not to get annoyed with me!

You want a toned, fit body for summer? - take up the challenge and get yourself in shape for a great summer ahead by training for this challenge!

I hope to see you all there, War on Cancer always welcomes new friends into the fold, raising cancer awareness is essential - there are still many people who cannot say the word, it is still a taboo subject for those scared by what it could mean.....I hope by doing this blog, that I have shown that it doesn't have to control your life, and that you can within your own constraints still push yourself to reach your own Mt.Everest! come help me spread the positive message and raise money to help eradicate cancer for future generations :)

Until next time

Tracy

Big day personally for me tomorrow

hello everyone

Well everyone, I have been waiting for this hospital appointment for what seems like forever, I finally get to see a Rheumatologist, I actually feel sorry for this person because I'm expecting absolute miracles, even though I know that probably won't happen. I'm trying to reign myself in, but in all honesty, I know if he/she doesn't have more powers than Harry Potter I'm going to be extremely disappointed lol!

I have had so many problems over the last many months with joint, bone and muscle pains, I managed them for a long time, but they got really bad about last September - now those of you that know anything about me will understand how hard it has been for me not to be able to go work out at the gym! I have found this very hard to cope with, it's not just not been able to work out in the gym, hell I've had problems getting out of bed and getting dressed on a bad day!

So I am hoping to get good news tomorrow, at least steps to move my health and mobility forward, I of course have Mt.Kilimanjaro to climb this year, and failure of that really isn't an option for me, I will do whatever I have to do to ensure I reach the summit and stand on the "Roof of Africa"!.

It's so hard to get to the bottom of what are an increasing list of problems for me, this in itself can be very frustrating, and yes of course I have days where I question everything. One of my strongest traits is my ability to quickly bounce back to the positive ( nothing can keep me down for long ). I am now under three different consultants and the fact I'm on so many medicines causes lots of confusion. I feel like I'm in this continual downward spiral of having a side effect with a med?....throw me another med to counteract the problem.

No-one knows yet what is causing all the joint and bone pain, because I have at least 3 meds that can cause it through side effects, it's hard to determine. This is why I'm hoping tomorrow it will start to shed some light on everything, I have said I will when I have all the facts, make a decision as to whether I take myself off some or most of the meds I'm on. I have had mixed reactions to this, some very strong urging not to do it, however, I keep pointing out that quality of life is very important, and life at all costs just doesn't cut it for me. I know potentially what I may be risking if it comes to that....but a good quality of life is essential to me, I want to be able to go out and not only enjoy it to the full ( we all know my stand on life with no regrets ), but be in a position to push myself not just emotionally and mentally - but yes physically, this is really important to me.

So keep your fingers and anything else crossed that I get good news, I want to be able to get on with things now and crack on with my Yorkshire 3 peak training, June will arrive quickly and I don't want to be lagging behind!

Until next time

Tracy

March is recycling month!

Want a clear out in time for spring? want to help the environment by recycling instead of sending to a refuse dump? well WoC can help you out!

March is recycling month, War on Cancer is having a drive to recycle as much as possible...so any old mobile phones you have laying in a drawer collecting dust, you know the ones we all "keep" just in case, but in actual fact never dig out and use, we will be really grateful if you would consider donating old mobile phones,we can send them to a recycle place that gives better prices for charity :)

Please remember you don't have to live nearby to be part of War on Cancer and our fundraising efforts - you could organise to collect old mobile phones near you and send them to be recycled, when the company pay you, you would then make a donation here on the blog - it's that simple!

We love the idea of you helping us go global, tell your friends about us, share the link on your walls, get your friends to follow us on twitter @woctracy , ask your friends to like out Fbook page to ensure they get update notifications....we are all about been positive and want people to see the word cancer doesn't have to be a negative - help me spread the word!

Any unwanted gifts or things for car boots are also very welcome! Now the weather is improving, Sunday car boots will take place and all money made at the car boots helps us get closer to our target of £10,000.

I will start advertising the Yorkshire 3 Peak sponsored challenge now, registration for the event will close at the end of March, it is a limited place event. If you are considering taking up this wonderful event, don't leave it too late, places are getting filled now. Check out this blog to see how to register and pay your entry fee!

Until next time

Tracy