Well, I never got back to Scotland in September, and have only just finished writing up the walks for 2024, nearly a year after my last coastal-walking trip. I know people have been worrying about me and many of my kind blog readers have messaged me privately. And so, I think you all deserve an explanation.
First the good news.
I received the all clear from cancer in April 2024, as I previously documented here: Rehabilitation:getting back to normality. I had a wonderful summer…. until…
Now, the bad news.
In July, I got an urgent message. My youngest daughter had been admitted to the neurosurgical unit in Oxford because she had become seriously ill with symptoms of raised pressure in her brain. A brain scan revealed that the breast cancer (that she had treated back in 2021) had reared its ugly head again. It had metastasised and she now had a large brain tumour, along with a small lung tumour.
The raised pressure in her brain was life-threatening, but she had another life-threatening problem too. A large blood clot had developed in the veins in her neck.
She was only 35 years old, and she was also 35 weeks pregnant.
An agonising few weeks followed, while her medical team juggled the competing problems of a tumour that needed operating on urgently, a baby that needed delivering by caesarian section, and a huge blood clot that needed treating with anticoagulants.
Eventually, the baby was successfully delivered, her brain tumour was removed, and she had radiotherapy to the brain. Following this, she was seriously incapacitated – could barely stand or walk, and could only hold her new baby for brief periods. Her lovely husband had his hands full looking after both her and the baby. I helped as much as I could.
More problems
In August, while all this was going on, I developed a chest infection with a very painful cough, and was struggling to breath. I also lost my sense of smell completely for a month. Covid tests were negative, but I am pretty sure this was covid. (And, yes, I’ve had all my injections.)
Anyway, a chest x-ray revealed fluid in my right lung and, with the ribcage pain I was experiencing, I began to worry that my cancer had returned too. And just when my daughter and my new grandson really needed me.
A CAT scan was done and – thank goodness – revealed no cancer spread. What a relief!
I recovered slowly, but am still not back to the fitness level I had achieved last April.
Adjusting to a new normality
After bouncing in and out of hospital, my daughter had a shunt put in to normalise the pressure in her brain, and she slowly began to recover. She started chemo again and goes once a week for chemo and immunotherapy. Her blood clot has, finally, dissolved and she has been able to stop the anticoagulants.
In fact, she is doing well and feels better than she has been for months. Her lung tumour has shrunk with the treatment and her brain tumour has not returned.
But, of course, this doesn’t change the fact that my daughter has metastatic breast cancer and a life-limiting disease.
I look after the baby when she goes for outpatient appointments and her weekly chemotherapy. He is an enormously energetic, happy, bouncing baby boy – and a joy to look after.
Anyway, as you can see, I have had my hands full and some emotional challenges over the past 12 months. At the moment, all is stable, and I have been able to get away on another walking trip and been able to make some holiday plans for the summer.
Yes, another walking trip! Will be writing up the details soon…
The image in the header is NOT my daughter. AI generated it for me! This is my daughter having a recent bout of chemo… She documents her progress on Instagram. And recently featured in an extensive newspaper article about the clinical trial she is taking part in.
Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 
I’m glad that everyone is progressing positively Ruth. You take care
So sorry to hear the news Ruth, obviously the place to be is supporting your daughter and family.
Sorry also to read that you also had a health scare but glad that you are now able to plan ahead and return to walking.
My walking is also on hold……new knee on 19th June, arthritis resulting from a RTA 40 years ago when I had a scooter, the joys of youth.
Keep walking.
MX
snap ! My walking has been hold for quite a while too. My knee replacement operation is on the 11/06/25. I hope that your operation goes well !
Thinking of you. We met only once but I appreciated you thoughtfulness and kindness. If I can help Pls shout. Wishing a good person all the best.
What awful misfortune. Let’s hope that the worst is over. I do believe that walking is good for the soul and I’m glad to read that you are continuing with that. With my very best wishes.
Conrad (just in case – WordPress has named me as Anon. in other WordPress blogs recently.)
I’m so glad that things are stable at the moment and wish you and your daughter and her family health and happiness. From Susan – currently on the coast path in Northumberland!
Oh goodness Ruth, Sending much love, wh
I’m sorry to hear about your daughter’s illness, and yours, but glad everyone is currently stable. Sending you my very best wishes.
thanks for your update Ruth and hope you and your daughter do really well … and enjoy your grandson !… like following you around the UK! …. i am now heading to a walking trip on Orkney !…. all the very best !
anncollins@westmeadomfs.com.au
Hi Ruth. That is all such a lot to cope with. Life can be a bummer can’t it. I hope you can get back to the coast again soon and enjoy the sound of the sea and get some sea air in your lungs. Your health and those of the family must be a priority of course. All the best to all of you for the future.
So sorry to hear of your daughter’s illness and your own health scare. Hope the babe is providing some distractions! Wishing you and your family all the best. Thinking of you. Robin
You have my warm thoughts Ruth – may you know blessings and a healing for you and your family. The key thing is, as always, ‘look after you’ Paul
What a scary year for you, your daughter, her husband and everyone that loves you all. Very glad to hear your daughter’s doing well and your scare was nothing sinister. Take care and keep walking where/when you can.
Thinking of you and wishing you all well.
Best wishes to you your daughter and family Ruth – Good luck and all the very bloody best – Cheers Russ
Hi Ruth
Such a stressful time for you all – I was so sorry to read about the ‘bad news’ & so much of it! What a wonderful picture of your daughter & her bonnie baby Francis. I’m sure he must bring so much joy to you all. I do so hope the Lion Trial has positive outcomes for your daughter & others taking part.
Sorry to hear you were also ill again, but pleased you are now back on the road to recovery & have managed some more walking this year. Hopefully you’ll gradually be able to build up your strength again. I do hope you enjoyed your recent walking, with good weather & no cow episodes! I wish you & your family all the very best for the future & hope you manage to trek a few more miles this year.
Take care
Rita
After such a rotten time it must be encouraging to now be able to plan ahead a bit. I failed to post a comment yesterday but I remember it included the words “onward and onward” which seem particularly appropriate now. As they would say on “Strictly” Keep walking!
Oh, Ruth! Sending thoughts and prayers for you all.
You have had such a difficult few years. I hope the trail gives you some relief and peace. Best wishes to you and the family.
I wish you and your daughter better health to come.
What a time you’re all having, so sad to read your daughter’s story too! I really hope this is it now and it’s onwards and upwards, staying cancer free! Keeping everything crossed for you all ❤️
Dear Ruth ,so pleased to hear you are walking aga
wow sorry to read about all this. You and your daughter have had a very tough few years. Glad to hear you have still been able to make it back to the coast after all of this. All the best to you both
Thank you all for your kind comments. Too many to answer individually, but I can’t tell you how it lifts my heart to receive your good wishes.