A Scots newlywed was diagnosed with cancer just two weeks after her dream wedding in Cyprus and months after her mother-in-law was also diagnosed with the disease.
Leona Roseburgh, 31, found a lump and was diagnosed with breast cancer when she returned from Greece in October last year. She’s currently undergoing radiotherapy, having coped with weeks of chemotherapy.
Stuart Roseburgh, from Corstorphine, said his wife's diagnosis was a further blow for the family after his mother, Carol, 63, was told she has lung cancer in February last year. Also undergoing chemotherapy, she had a lung tumour removed - though was told at the start of this year the cancer had returned.
Edinburgh Live reports that Stuart has now raised cash for a cause close to his heart following the family's tough year.
He said: “She found a lump in her breast, but we didn’t think much of it.
“Two weeks after we got back from our wedding, we got the lump checked and were shocked to find out it was breast cancer. Since then, she’s gone through 12 weeks of chemo.
“She’s now undergoing radiotherapy, which is not as gruelling but it makes her really tired. We’re all just trying to keep our spirits up.
“As for my mum, she was diagnosed with lung cancer 18 months ago. She got chemo and had the tumour removed, but we found out at the start of this year that it isn’t all gone.
“She has to go in every six weeks for a check-up, and there’s not really too much they can do apart from that. We’re all just trying to appreciate the time we have left together.”
The family has now raised thousands of pounds for Cancer Research by completing The Pentland Way over the weekend. Stuart, along with friends and family, finished the 20-mile route on August 20.
Speaking after the hike, Stuart said: “A close family friend who does a lot walking in had kind of suggested it.
“A lot of friends and family were keen, so we made a group chat and got planning. That was about six or seven months ago.
“When it finally happened on Saturday, I’d actually contacted Coach Hire Edinburgh who very kindly offered to provide transport. We left Dunsyre at about 7.50am and ended at Swanston, for a few celebratory drinks at the Swanston Brasserie.”
Stuart admitted that he and his fellow walkers found the walk extremely difficult. He said: “It’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
“There’s so many peaks to go up. Going up the West Kip and all the other peaks, it’s very difficult.
“I think the first person finished at around 3.30pm, and myself and a few others got in at around 4.15 - with a few stragglers behind, some of whom had injured themselves. Everyone was overwhelmed by what we had achieved.”
Stuart’s mother Carol, along with Leona and their three-year-old daughter Hollie were waiting at the finish line for everyone to finish the hike. The whole family described it as a ‘touching’ moment as the walk came to an end.
The JustGiving page for the Roseburghs' sponsored walk is still open, and available here.
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