Nurse fights cancer to take on 5K and Kilimanjaro climb
A nurse from Bannockburn diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer two years ago is now set to take on two top challenges in aid of good causes.
Jacqui Bryceland will run in the 5k Simplyhealth Great Edinburgh Winter Run on Saturday January 13 before taking on a climb at Mount Kilimanjaro next summer.
After being told she had breast cancer the 51-year-old underwent six months of treatment, which included chemotherapy, radiotherapy and an operation, to remove the tumour.
The shock news, which came as Jacqui was approaching her 50th birthday, saw her undergo a complete role reversal as she found herself as a patient in Forth Valley Royal Hospital – where she works as a lead nurse.
After her recovery she joined her local gym and took up running – losing three stone.
And she hopes to raise awareness of and money for Breast Cancer Care when she laces up her running shoes in the New Year and walking boots in the summer.
She said:“The difference in me from when I finished my treatment to now is unbelievable. Exercise and running has given me a new lease of life.
“Physically now I am in a much better place as I couldn’t run up the stairs before and now I am taking on a 5k run and climbing Africa’s biggest mountain in 2018. I’ve also gone from 11 stone to eight stone which is an added bonus.
“Emotionally I was supported by a lot of charities while I was a patient so I wanted to offer something to both Breast Cancer Care and the oncology unit at Forth Valley Royal.”
Jacqui will be joined by her son Daniel (37) on her challenge to scale Africa’s highest peak next summer.
She added:“Around two years ago I started thinking about fifty things to do in my fiftieth year as a bit of a challenge to celebrate my birthday.
“I wanted to do a lot of these with my son Daniel who was in the military. I was unfit and always knew that doing something like this would make him proud.
“I had an ambition to take part in a running event but then I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“It was a complete shock to me when I found a lump on my right breast, and the scans revealed that it was an aggressive form.
“It was a rare form and the tumour was around seven centimetres in size so I underwent chemotherapy to shrink the size first.
“The treatment took its toll over the four months. I knew I would lose my hair but I did not expect the other side effects, which knocked me physically and mentally.
“Following radiotherapy and a biopsy, I was finally declared cancer free in February 2016.”
To support Jacqui’s fundraising go to justgiving.com/fundraising/ jaqueline-bryceland1.