A Dumfries teacher who was twice diagnosed with breast cancer is preparing for a fundraising challenge in aid of the charity that supports research and treatment for the disease.
Fiona Collins will take on the 26-mile London Moonwalk nearly 10 years after her original diagnosis as her way of “celebrating life”.
Aged just 34 at the time, Fiona was preparing to move from Glasgow to Dumfries for husband Paddy to take up his role as a surgeon at DGRI when she found a lump.
The diagnosis came as a shock to Fiona, whose sons Ewan and Innes were only four and 18-months-old at the time.
Following a full mastectomy and reconstruction at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, she then began a course of chemotherapy at Dumfries Infirmary, where she received excellent care and support from the team of “superstars” at the chemotherapy clinic.
Fiona, 44, said: “After my treatment, life resumed as normal and I put all my energy into being a mum.”
She also returned to teaching, taking up a post at Troqueer Primary.
Fiona said: “The energy and enthusiasm of the classroom was such a tonic and motivated me to keep going. The love and support of family, friends and colleagues was a huge part of my recovery and I am eternally grateful to all of them for this.
“I slowly moved forward, juggling family and school life and struggled with fatigue at times but started walking regularly to build my fitness.”
In 2013, she took part in the Edinburgh Moonwalk, collecting more than £2,000 for Walk the Walk and she is again raising cash for the charity.
She started to think the worst was behind her and at a party to mark her 40th birthday, made an emotional speech about how far she’d come.
But a second shock was in store when she discovered another lump just months later.
An ultrasound and biopsy showed the lump was cancerous.
Fiona said: “It was a new primary breast cancer but thankfully had not spread elsewhere. Having to tell my friends and family it was back was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I couldn’t believe it was happening again.
“The nature of this new cancer meant that further chemotherapy and radiotherapy were required.
“This time I used a scalp cooler which allowed me to keep my hair. This is one of the many things Walk the Walk fund to support cancer patients.”
Now fully recovered, Fiona will take part in the London Moonwalk on May 14 with a friend and her sister Lorna by her side.
Her Labrador Murphy has been joining her for training walks around Dumfries.
She said: “The Moonwalk is our way of celebrating life and giving something back and we hope to raise as much money and awareness as possible.”
Fiona is also passionate about supporting others diagnosed with the disease and wants to show people it’s possible to “live a full and happy life with and beyond breast cancer”.
She said: “It’s been scary, frightening and hard going and although a lot of women haven’t come through the other side, so many others do.
“Treatment options have come far but it is so important to check your body regularly and report anything unusual to your GP as early detection is key.
“I feel incredibly blessed to be here today to tell my story. I am one of the lucky ones.”
To sponsor Fiona, visit https://walkthewalk.enthuse.com/pf/fiona-collins.
Anyone who would like any support or advice on breast cancer, can also email her at fionamaycollins@googlemail.com.
