Sue's '100 Day' Coastal Challenge
Sue started out on her own cancer journey in April 2023 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer through the NHS screening programme.
Support following her diagnosis, and during her unusually lengthy treatment, came from unexpected quarters. Firstly, a gift from her brother of a book written by Dr David Servan Schreiber, later followed by her introduction to Penny Brohn UK after a second successful surgery.
Whilst still undergoing treatment alongside the support Sue received from Penny Brohn UK, she felt a strong sense of wellbeing and positivity and decided to fundraise for the charity by taking on her biggest challenge yet; the South West Costal Path.
Tell us about your challenge
My decision to walk the South West Coastal Path in its entirety – all 630 miles! – came about during my lengthy treatment as I chose to walk to my numerous appointments and extend my daily exercise programme to improve my health.
My cancer journey wasn’t as straightforward as I would have wished for as unfortunately, my initial operation partially failed and my wonderful medical team were then faced with some challenges to overcome before achieving a skilful and fully successful outcome. I was very determined during this time and adapted to a holistic approach very early on in order to aid my medical outcome and recovery. Walking several miles a day became part of my new regime and I derived much enjoyment from doing this exercise.
I wanted my choice of fundraising activity to be a challenge to both my physical fitness and mental resolve, and be something that I would need to rise to with determination and effort, whilst at the same time giving something back. With my family connections in the South West of England, and a lifetime of holidays to the area, I was under no illusions that choosing to walk the South West Coastal Path would be an easy task. I have therefore decided to challenge myself to complete my walk in 100 days, avoiding the winter months whilst the path becomes more dangerous. I have chosen to walk daily over periods of two to three weeks, covering sensible distances to match my health and physical fitness and allowing time to attend medical appointments and important events at home. I started out from Minehead on Saturday 31st August 2024 and plan to finish at South Haven Point by 30th September 2025.
Why did you decide to support Penny Brohn UK?
My cancer journey, despite its unusual nature and challenges, proved to be a positive and life enhancing experience, allowing me to reflect on and value each day, aided by the support I received from Penny Brohn UK.
Within a week of my breast cancer diagnosis, I realised that I had had no time to properly absorb or process what was happening to me and how I felt. In this new world of diagnosis and treatment I found myself in a whirlwind of appointments with my fabulous medical team intent on utilising the best medical advances and success rates of today to achieve the very best outcome. As simply a patient however, I found it difficult to keep up as questions constantly presented themselves to me and I began to feel the separation and loneliness that cancer can bring from the world I’d known only just a week or two previously.
When I was first introduced to Penny Brohn UK cancer wellbeing charity, following my surgery and radiotherapy, I found at my fingertips a wealth of invaluable resources and support. A few weeks on I knew that this was the charity I’d been searching for to enable me to give something back and to help support others with cancer.
In the early stages of my cancer journey my brother bought me a book called ‘Anti-Cancer: A New Way of Life’ by Dr David Servan-Schreiber. His story was very poignant and explored an integrated approach for cancer patients. This book provided me with a great deal of support, inspiring a new-found optimism in me. I found Dr David Sevan Schreiber’s holistic approach mirrored in the principles championed by Penny Brohn UK, and these served to enhance my physical and emotional resilience and cemented a new and healthy way to live my life.
In January 2024 I signed up to several Penny Brohn UK online sessions, not realising at the time how important this support would be to my recovery. Being online with a group of other people living with cancer, no matter how different their journey or experiences, was so valuable. In April 2024 I was also lucky enough to attend a retreat at Penny Brohn UK with 15 other people living with varying cancers, of all ages and from all over the country. I left the retreat with so much information and new “tools” to support my wellbeing then, now, and for my future.
What have you looked forward to most about your challenge?
First and foremost, I have looked forward to, and enjoyed in my first 43 days, a sense of achievement as I reach each milestone along the path. This walk was always going to be very challenging for me, both physically and mentally, as it is on the most difficult terrain I have ever encountered and I am walking for many hours, day after day, in all weathers.
Secondly, I have looked forward to immersing myself in nature and the ever-changing scenery around me, listening to bird song and the crashing waves, and experiencing the warm sunshine, cold crisp days and swirling winds. From North Devon through to the North and South Coasts of Cornwall, the scenery has been so diverse with stunning beaches at low tide and dramatic rock formations, with woodland and moorland to enjoy. I am looking forward to the continuation of this as I move along the South Cornwall coast into South and East Devon and on to Dorset, whilst experiencing the changing seasons from Spring through to Autumn. I also love swimming in the sea and am looking forward to finding the opportunity for a relaxing dip sometime soon!
Lastly, walking with others. There have been several people who have said they would like to walk with me and have done so – cancer patients included, and I admire their courage. However, I knew that sharing this experience with my husband and soulmate Richard was going to be very special and a once in a lifetime experience. He has driven me to and from the path every day, sometimes running from the planned finish to meet me so we can walk on together. He has cooked for us and helped me to plan the logistics, but most importantly we have been able to walk from start to finish together when bus services have allowed. It is his encouragement that has given me the confidence to tackle the sections of path I have most feared, and I am looking forward to continuing to share this experience with him over the remaining 57 days.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
This is perhaps the time to mention that I am somewhat afraid of heights but to succeed I knew that I would have to endure many narrow and steep cliff paths along the way!
Specifically, I had expected High Cliff near Crackington Haven to be one of my biggest challenges. I tried to walk this section in the opposite direction on a lovely sunny day many years ago but had to turn back, leaving behind me the mountain goats and the 750ft drop down to the sea! I am delighted to say that this time around, when walking from East to West with Richard to support me, I managed to conquer this section without feeling particularly nervous.
There have, however, been 6 occasions when I have felt terrified, due to the immense height and steep drop to the rocks and sea below. Unexpected high winds and a wrong turn taken due to poor signposting, which is sometimes the case, have all played their part. On the first occasion another walker encouraged me down the path simply by walking a few steps ahead, giving me immense courage and leaving me wondering what all the fuss was about! On all other occasions Richard has been with me giving me lots of confidence. I have gradually developed several coping mechanisms, including reminding myself of my achievements early in my cancer journey. I am delighted to say that on every occasion so far I have conquered my fears.
How did you train?
I had been walking about 10-15 miles a week during the early stages of my cancer treatment. However, with all the changes I’d made to my lifestyle, I began to feel healthier than I had felt for decades and found myself eagerly extending my exercise programme. Throughout my recovery, I truly gave myself permission to look after myself first. I delighted in that; despite my difficult journey, I was able to make so many happy memories simply through looking after myself and being positive. This included booking trips to the South West to walk wonderful footpaths and swim in the sea.
I started training seriously in February 2024 by increasing the frequency and distances I was walking. In March I travelled to East Devon to continue my training along the Jurassic coastline. During this time Richard encouraged me to walk throughout a week of showery weather when the paths had turned to streams and the fields a sea of mud! This sort of training meant I had to push myself to achieve more and at the same time gave me the confidence that I had the ability to succeed.
In May 2024, only a couple of months into my training, I unfortunately developed an antibiotic resistant, double pneumonia and was hospitalised for a week. I quickly realised how serious this was and in terms of my training knew I would have to start from the beginning again, delaying my start date for the challenge by several months. In the week that followed my release from hospital, I put on my walking shoes and walked a mile a day. My fatigue was horrendous, but I persevered. In July Richard took me on a ‘convalescing’ holiday to the Quantocks Hills where I found the footpath outside the cottage too tempting and soon slipped on my walking boots, climbing the 275ft hill and feeling the first glimmer of hope that I may yet get to do my challenge. A week later, after many miles of walking, I enjoyed some excellent training on the Somerset stretch of the coastal path and knew that I would be ready to start in September.
What would you say to others thinking about taking on a challenge for Penny Brohn UK?
I think that having a purpose and feeling a sense of achievement is most important to any challenge. Choosing to do something that you will enjoy is equally important. Set yourself a challenge that will move you out of your comfort zone but that you also feel will be achievable with reasonable effort, but always put your health and welfare first.
Set yourself personal and fundraising targets at a level that’s feasible around your own lifestyle and manage your expectations. It can be a wonderful feeling to give something back, knowing at the same time how much you have achieved along the way.
I am dedicating this walk to my family, without who’s loving support I may not have been able to carry out this challenge of a lifetime. I am also dedicating it to each of the 15 wonderful people I met on the Penny Brohn UK retreat who, no matter their diagnosis, have shown so much courage, resilience and positivity. With cancer now reportedly affecting 1 in 2 people, I also dedicate this walk to you the reader, your family and your friends.
We’d like to thank Sue for sharing their experience. The words used are preferred by Sue. Penny Brohn UK encourages everyone to use their own words to tell their story. If you have any questions about any of the language used, please email comms@pennybrohn.org.uk.