'Cancer nearly took everything from me - now I'm hiking up mountains'
I've just returned from a weeks' hike with Coppafeel, in the French Alps to help raise money for breast cancer awareness and the total raised is almost half a million pounds - a huge feat.
We endured hours of walking in high heat, snow and rain - all for a greater good - but also for our own personal good. I know this is complete cheese on sticks, but I've returned feeling like I am a better version of myself than I've ever been before in my life. I've been raised up and carried in arms of love to tick off one of my living list dreams - to crowdsurf! And I've been understood when the realisation of just how far I’ve come brought me to tears.
From the dark, terrifying, lonely place of an incurable breast cancer diagnosis, I could never have imagined that one day I would be on the top of a mountain in France with people I didn't know - but now I'll cherish them forever. All I could see for my future was darkness for a very long time, I couldn't even look at my little girl because that crushing fear of leaving her behind in this world without her mummy, paralysed me.
I led in bed, unable to stomach any food or hold any conversation. It's not true when they say your tears run dry. I remember my face being constantly wet. I remember seeing the green of the leaves and the blue of the sky outside my window; things that might not ever catch the attention of someone who is healthy. I remember Michael holding me while I scrunched up his jumper in both fists and screamed that I couldn't leave her, that I wanted to grow old with him and that I didn't want to die. I wanted to beg him to help me, but I knew that he couldn't and I didn't want to put that burden on him. It was pain like I'd never known.
Roisin made friends for life (Supplied)So, to be up there, on a mountain top knowing my girl was happy at home (with her little brother might I add!) safe in the knowledge that I would be home soon, hit me like a ton of bricks. How lucky I am, how spectacular my body is, and how utterly thankful I am for the life that I've been given since then. It's an overwhelming rush of peace and gratitude and a true love for life. Being surrounded by the right energy has allowed me to feel at ease with being my 'true me' and it has left me wanting more, whilst also feeling utterly content.
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Every single person who took part, or who has previously taken part in one of these treks will understand when I say it really isn't 'just a trek.' It is an experience , a soul strengthening, love lifting, human bonding thrill of a week. Like childbirth, you kind of forget the pain of the climb and immerse yourself in the joy and in the pure wonder of life. Together with our Queen of Hearts, Gi, Coppafeel & Charity Challenge have created a community who lift each other up at any given chance and who overcome so much together. Gi is the most selfless angel on this earth and the epitome of a decent human being.
The end goal of these treks is to raise awareness of this dreadful disease, especially in young women, so that one day - in the words of my Ivy Brown - "there will just be a little jab that you can have so there'll be no more cancer in the world, and people won't have to be sad anymore."
If you feel inspired to take part, you can register your interest in the next Coppafeel trek on their website. Something I like to tell myself and my kids is that 'adventure begins on the other side of fear'. Step outside your comfort zone and really try to 'live' this one and only precious time we have. Reminder: Check your flippin' boobs!!
For now, I'm going to continue absorbing all the magic of what I’ve just experienced and to tick more off my living list! If you'd like to sponsor my trek, you can find my sponsor page here.
If you're interested to see what else Charity Challenge offer, have a look
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