How I found my way to … walking every day despite cancer, neutropenic sepsis and thrombus in my arm
This is Clare’s story of how she gets walking every day through her diagnosis. As with all our blogs and stories, this story reflects personal experiences and insights from an individual affected by cancer. It is not recommended to serve as medical advice or recommendations. We encourage all readers to consult with their healthcare professionals before making any changes to their treatment or recovery plans.
May 2024
I had just completed The Lap in May 2024 when I discovered a pea size lump in my right breast and was diagnosed with stage 2, grade 2 triple negative breast cancer requiring 2 surgeries, 16 cycles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It was also discovered that I had PALB2 gene – increasing my risk of breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancer.
Working as an Advanced clinical practitioner with the stroke team, I was fit and healthy and this came as a huge shock. Especially as my dad died of cancer at age 46 and this had been a fear of mine… there I was thinking I had passed the danger age now I was 51.
Many days were spent walking round the farm and fells where I live in the Lake District in a state of disbelief. I felt so restless and agitated that walking was the only thing that settled me and gave me some relief. This was apparent in June 2024, the month of my diagnosis, as my Garmin recorded 777,227 steps – a record for me! Even when going in for surgery I was convinced that they must have got it wrong.
Eventually the enormity of the race of my life sank in and I was determined to continue my walking. Since breaking my ankle which required metal fixation I no longer ran and walked fast instead completing 4 x Lakeland 50, The Lap, Glencoe Challenge and qualifying for a place in the Lakeland 100.
June 2024
We were away in our camper van in Aviemore when I received a phone call with an appointment for the following Monday at the Breast clinic following a mammogram, ultra sound and biopsy and to bring someone with me. Being a health care professional, I was aware that this was not going to be good news. It was also our pearl wedding anniversary that day.
When I attended the appointment with my husband I was shocked to discover I would need chemotherapy after surgery. I could not comprehend this at all. The information would not compute to my brain and I constantly read the consultant letter detailing this.
Some friends who run/walk and enjoy a coffee afterward on a Wednesday morning invited me to join them. This gave me some routine to my week and provided me with some company and enjoyment.
July 2024
I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal in July 2024 and luckily the cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes.
Apart from the day of my operation, I continued to walk daily and have my daily dose of fresh air.
August 2024
In August, I had a further re-excision of breast margins and received the results of my genetic testing. My maternal grandmother had had breast cancer and so now my children and my brother also require testing.
September 2024
The oncologist advised me that I would require 12 weeks of weekly chemo and 12 doses of chemo every 3 weeks thereafter. A picc line was inserted the week after and I commenced chemo the next day. Instantly I experienced high levels of nausea and fatigue but being an early riser I was still up at 0530 and out in the fresh air where I could process my thoughts and feelings.
October 2024
Despite the weekly chemo regime, we did manage to get away to Ullswater in the camper van for 3 days. This enabled me to keep germ free but still enjoy some time away. I completed two small Wainwrights, however my energy levels were not great and I felt very tired. On our return I required a blood transfusion to boost my levels.
I think my poor husband despaired at times as he was wanting me to rest. Especially once I had worked out that I had more energy when I was on a steroid high. One day I got it in my head to do 10 miles, just to check I still could. I set off thinking that my husband was busy working but then he rang to ask where I was! I said I was up the fell but failed to mention I had already done 7 miles! If I am honest, I was wiped out at that point, but I would have had to walk another mile for a lift so decided to persevere and completed it and promptly exhausted myself for the rest of the week!
December 2024
During admission for neutropenic sepsis and discovery of a thrombus in my arm I was pumped full of antibiotics and commenced on anti-coagulants. All I could think was that I was due to start my virtual Lakeland 50! I had missed 2 days but managed to complete it in 12 days.
This month the treatment felt relentless and I was experiencing some low mood days. I even had chemo on Christmas Eve – I could have postponed it but by this stage I was just wanting to get to the end of it.
I discovered that if I walked in the morning and rested up in the afternoon, my energy levels were better. I set myself a goal of watching a film in an afternoon to keep me still!
January 2025
I was admitted on NYE again for the same condition and had entered the virtual Spine Challenger South/108 miles which I started on 2 January and finished on 13 January the day before my next chemo dose.
March 2025
I completed the Grizedale half marathon recently in 3hours 33 minutes, and have had my last dose of chemo. This month will be 5 sessions of radiotherapy and then removal of my ovaries and genetic counselling.
I needed to prove to myself when it felt as though so much had been taken away from me that I could continue to enjoy what I loved to do – by getting out walking. Some days I could only manage a mile but I would go out twice a day.
Do you have a story about how you got back to doing what you love despite a cancer diagnosis? Email info@movecharity.org for more information