A mum who was given months to live was a "savage warrior" as she battled her terminal illness with positivity.
Pippa Miln was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and immediately started a gruelling round of treatment through a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy before being given the all clear. But in June 2021, scans showed the cancer had returned and spread to her brain and lungs.
Tests showed Pippa had 10 brain tumours and she was given just six months to live. Despite defying the odds and being signed off from palliative care, Pippa tragically died in February 2023 leaving behind her partner Rufus and children Sam, 16 and Amy, 18.
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Rufus told the ECHO: "She was given six months to live but 18 months later she was still going strong. We called her a savage warrior because she just got on with it, she carried on being a mum, a girlfriend and daughter and she remained positive every day.
"Each day we would say what had been positive that day and if we hadn't done anything we would do something to make the day worthwhile. That may have been walking up Snowdon or just to the top of the staircase at home, there was quite a spectrum of things to look for.
"It was always about trying to find something positive. It wasn't based around the cliché of a positive attitude, it was just so we hadn't wasted a day. Pippa's diagnosis was terminal so we knew full well how the story was going to end.
"She's got two most extraordinary children, Amy got through her second year of uni while her mum was poorly and Sam got a driving licence and geared up for his A-Levels, we got on with stuff as a family.
"She was infectious to be around, she was kind and happy, even in those last two days, she was beautiful. Her memory wasn't great towards the end and she was always apologising to the staff. She was so worried she wasn't being the type of person she wanted to be."
Partner Rufus is now taking on an incredible challenge in her memory to help raise funds for Maggie's - a charity providing free cancer support and information in centres across the UK. He has challenged himself to complete the Ultra Marathon which he says is "savage beyond reason".
He said: "This year my challenge is the UTS50, a 55km Ultra Mountain Marathon in Snowdonia, it is beautiful beyond belief but savage beyond reason. Pippa and I benefited from all the services so generously provided by the extraordinary team at Maggie’s Wirral.
"Maggie’s was the softest of places to land at the hardest of times for myself and Pippa. So now it’s time for me to give something back to Maggie’s and keep my promises made to my precious Pippa."
The Marathon consists of walking four mountains and Snowdon twice in just 14 hours. Speaking about the intense challenge, Rufus, who has been training for six months, said: "It's been my way to make sense of a time in my life that makes no sense.
"I needed to find a challenge that frightened me and the UTS50 terrifies me. I wanted to do something with the wow factor and ensures people will happily donate to Maggie’s.
"I have done two training runs on the course so far and I cannot tell you how brutal they were. Each mile a moment of real self-discovery, a journey into the unknown for me physically, mentally, and emotionally. But knowing what my precious Pippa battled with makes my mountains feel like light work.
"Pippa’s battle, Pippa’s warrior like attitude, powers my every step. I talk to Pippa nonstop as I run, I reflect on Pippa’s journey, her superhuman strength, her highs, and her lows. I also walk around Maggie’s in my mind’s eye as I run, and I see the amazing team at Maggie’s.
"I see their welcoming faces and as Pippa said, Maggie’s makes you feel like you’re walking into a big cuddle. I also see the brave people facing cancer who walk into Maggie’s and the pain in their loved ones faces."
Rufus said Pippa knew that training for the race kept his "head on my shoulders" and has been a powerful mental health tool with his focus on seeing his partner's face as he crosses the finish line. He added: "If I am honest with you, the idea of not seeing Pippa’s smile at the end of the UTS50 crushes me, but the knowing she will be with me every step, looking down, fills my heart and will carry me round."
You can donate by clicking here. Rufus told the ECHO: "I've never done anything like this before but when you live with someone who had more tumours than you could count and was getting on with stuff, it changes your perspective on everything. If I have a tough moment training, I think about Pippa and I hear her laughing at me.
"When you've lived with someone with all that struggle, the challenge compared is light work."
Kathy Wright, Centre Head at Maggie’s Wirral, said: "Rufus is taking on such an enormous challenge for Maggie’s in memory of Pippa. We’re extremely grateful to Rufus for continuing to raise awareness of the much-needed support that we provide and for helping us be there for those living with and beyond cancer.
"We wish Rufus the very best of luck for the marathon and will be forever thankful for his dedication and fundraising efforts. If you are struggling with a cancer diagnosis or have face loss due to cancer, then please know that Maggie’s is here for you and your families. Just drop in or called the team on 01513344301."
Maggie’s Wirral is built on the grounds of Clatterbridge Cancer Centre (Wirral) and is a warm and welcoming place acting as a safe haven and providing an alternative to the hospital environment cancer patients and their friends and family see. Maggie’s relies solely on voluntary donations to support the ongoing services and keep their doors open, more can be found here.
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