My goal for the upcoming year is to finish most of my challenges. They might seem like a lot, and they do take a lot of work and dedication, but I'm prepared to put in the work to make other people proud. It's far more important to know that my efforts are helping them than it is to receive recognition or a medal.
Finish chemo, complete all the marathons (in one piece let me add), and be there to help others.
Get to the end and finish chemo
Having been on chemotherapy for so long, I'm almost at the finish line. It wasn't until a few weeks ago, while I was on the chemotherapy ward, that I realised how much I wanted to ring that bell to conclude my treatment. Although it appears to be little and unimportant, I want to feel proud of it. Since it plays such a significant role in my life, I want to ring the bell to feel rewarded and give myself a pat on the back. It is really important to me. I desire it for myself. I want to feel proud of my progress.
Being proud of how far I've come and what I've achieved
It matters not how far I have to go or what I am achieving; what matters is that I am proud of those achievements. Being pleased with my progress on this path and the influence I'm making on the world.
It doesn't matter if it's as simple as telling my story, my journey, and the path I'm now on, if I can help others along the way (I've reached people in the UK, US, Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand), I'll do whatever I can to help people or influence their lives for the better.
I never imagined receiving a cancer diagnosis at the age of 27. That's not what I had in mind for my life. I should be proud of every step I took between getting diagnosed and where I am today. For instance, I finished a task that would typically take a year in three months. My goal was to improve my life and myself. I thought it was unjust, and I didn't want to sit still. That was not an idea I wanted to have. I have to view every small shift as a victory and an accomplishment.
What about the marathons?
The distance doesn't matter if it's a 5k, 10k, half marathon, or marathon race as long as I can finish it. I don't worry about time anymore; all I care about is finishing. In the past, time was everything to me.
Although finishing a marathon is no small accomplishment, to me it is simply another run, not 26.2 miles or 42.2 kilometres. I believe it should be that way to make it less intimidating. Running a marathon requires mental and physical preparation, which reveals another aspect of a person's personality. It tests not just your resolve but also your endurance. After that, you could feel exhausted, like you're running on fumes, drained, and you have nothing left to give.
A marathon does drain your battery, it takes a lot out of you, and only a crazy person (like me) would attempt to do multiple.
To be able to complete all the challenges, means a great deal to me, to do them whilst undergoing treatment is another way for me to show that a cancer diagnosis doesn’t have to mean it’s the end of your life. You are still able to achieve big things. A positive mindset and determination is all you need.
Be ok with what you set out to achieve
Let's face it, I don't do this.
I aim for the sky with my challenges. I want to achieve everything I can within the time I have remaining. This doesn't mean I'm saying your challenges need to be big, they just need to be achievable and be important to you. It's to do something 'normal' and be ok with that being good enough.
I can get that self-satisfaction from doing good and by doing these challenges I hope to prove that.
I hope my journey so far is making people proud or inspiring them. I just want them to be able to think of me, my story and it makes them think of this and everything I’m doing.
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