A Dumfries instructor who was twice identified with breast most cancers is getting ready for a fundraising problem in support of the charity that helps analysis and remedy for the illness.
Fiona Collins will tackle the 26-mile London Moonwalk almost 10 years after her authentic prognosis as her manner of “celebrating life”.
Aged simply 34 on the time, Fiona was getting ready to maneuver from Glasgow to Dumfries for husband Paddy to take up his position as a surgeon at DGRI when she discovered a lump.
The prognosis got here as a shock to Fiona, whose sons Ewan and Innes have been solely 4 and 18-months-old on the time.
Following a full mastectomy and reconstruction at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, she then started a course of chemotherapy at Dumfries Infirmary, the place she acquired wonderful care and assist from the crew of “superstars” on the chemotherapy clinic.
Fiona, 44, stated: “After my remedy, life resumed as regular and I put all my power into being a mum.”
She additionally returned to instructing, taking over a submit at Troqueer Main.
Fiona stated: “The power and enthusiasm of the classroom was such a tonic and motivated me to maintain going. The love and assist of household, pals and colleagues was an enormous a part of my restoration and I'm eternally grateful to all of them for this.
“I slowly moved ahead, juggling household and college life and struggled with fatigue at occasions however began strolling recurrently to construct my health.”
In 2013, she took half within the Edinburgh Moonwalk, amassing greater than £2,000 for Stroll the Stroll and she or he is once more elevating money for the charity.
She began to suppose the worst was behind her and at a celebration to mark her fortieth birthday, made an emotional speech about how far she’d come.
However a second shock was in retailer when she found one other lump simply months later.
An ultrasound and biopsy confirmed the lump was cancerous.
Fiona stated: “It was a brand new main breast most cancers however fortunately had not unfold elsewhere. Having to inform my family and friends it was again was one of many hardest issues I’ve ever needed to do. I couldn’t consider it was occurring once more.
“The character of this new most cancers meant that additional chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been required.
“This time I used a scalp cooler which allowed me to maintain my hair. This is likely one of the many issues Stroll the Stroll fund to assist most cancers sufferers.”
Now absolutely recovered, Fiona will participate within the London Moonwalk on Could 14 with a pal and her sister Lorna by her aspect.
Her Labrador Murphy has been becoming a member of her for coaching walks round Dumfries.
She stated: “The Moonwalk is our manner of celebrating life and giving one thing again and we hope to lift as a lot cash and consciousness as doable.”
Fiona can also be enthusiastic about supporting others identified with the illness and needs to indicate folks it’s doable to “reside a full and pleased life with and past breast most cancers”.
She stated: “It’s been scary, horrifying and onerous going and though numerous girls haven’t come by means of the opposite aspect, so many others do.
“Therapy choices have come far however it's so necessary to test your physique recurrently and report something uncommon to your GP as early detection is essential.
To sponsor Fiona, go to https://walkthewalk.enthuse.com/pf/fiona-collins.
Anybody who would love any assist or recommendation on breast most cancers, may also electronic mail her at fionamaycollins@googlemail.com.