Melissa Jayne - Making a difference to find a Cure 2013

 

PINK FUN RUN 2012

 

 

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AFTER BLOG OF EVEREST BASE CAMP

 

After 14 exhausting days of trekking/climbing 8-9 hours a day, I can now say I have accomplished one of my biggest achievements by reaching Everest Base Camp 5346m, the foot of the world’s highest mountain.

 

It’s one of the hardest physical and mental challenges I have ever faced in my life but one that, upon reaching Base Camp, became one of my proudest moments.

 

When booking Everest Base Camp, it was then I realized that for the first time in my life I was really going to make a difference and leave my footprint on this world. I promised myself that from that moment onwards I would do nothing but give 110% dedication to my fundraising and training for this trip.

 

Before my mum was diagnosed for the second time in 2011 with Secondary breast cancer, it’s fair to say that I was a typical 23 year old girl whose priorities in life were spending more time focused on work/money and my social life, were I would go out and drink myself silly. Overall, my own selfish needs as my mum would say to me. I thought the world revolved around me and that I had my whole life ahead of me to grow up and change. Never for once did I realize the importance of how short life could really be.

 

But in March of 2011 my life changed dramatically. My mum had phoned me at work to inform me that she had just found out her cancer had come back but in different spots. My first reaction was “this was surely a joke” but then after 5 split seconds my heart sunk into my stomach and I was inconsolable. I always remember asking my mum in that moment if she was heading home, all I wanted to do was go home and see her, but her response was "No, why would I do that? I'm going back to work." Mum being mum just always knows how to put on a brave face and just continue life as normal. She would never let her cancer stop her from doing anything. I admire my mums stength in everyway. That afternoon after to speaking with mum I sat out the back of my work in tears just wishing so badly that this should be me, not her. I would have done anything to have taken that pain away from her. That day in particular I will never forget. This was the day my life changed.

 

From this moment onwards, no longer was my mind focused on myself but I decided this was a second chance to prove to my mum that I would really be there for her. The simple things in life that made my mum happy, I just did. From cleaning to buying her small gifts, anything just to let her know I was trying my best. I needed to follow in my mums footsteps and prove to her and the world that I could be strong and I could truly do anything possible to help mum beat this disease.

 

One night whilst tearing up in bed after seeing mum drowsy on the couch after an operation to insert a box in her chest for her chemo treatments, I thought to myself “there’s just no way I can live this life without my mum”. I prayed with everything that I had that if my mum beat this terrible disease that I would give up everything to make a difference to this world. I would change.

 

For me, Everest Base Camp was my first stepping stone. This was not just an accomplishment for myself, but was an accomplishment for my mother, my family and my friends who had all done their bit to make a difference and helping raise in total $4,365.00 for National Breast Cancer Foundation.  

 

Base Camp Day (Day 9):

 

The 5am wake-up call marked the start of our ninth day of trekking, where the knock on the door and words of “mooooorning” from our tour guide signaled the start of another long and strenuous day. By this point each day began to feel like a major struggle for me. Except this was the day where, despite extreme exhaustion, weakness from loss of appetite and braving bitterly cold conditions, we all hoped to find enough energy to pull ourselves through the last leg of our ascent to get to Everest Base Camp.

 

I didn’t feel overly enthusiastic with excitement that morning due to the freezing conditions and getting up at 5am in minus degrees. I remember feeling as though I was living my worst nightmare. I even questioned my sanity and wondered why I decided to put myself through such extreme pain. I layered up in nearly every piece of clothing I owned. My tour guide had kindly offered to lend me his down jacket for the day as I never hired one and thought I would have been ok. This was not the case, my whole body was freezing that morning and l was building up tears in my eyes. I had a severe headache from the altitude and a very bad cough, as if I had caught a cold. The air was dry and it was very difficult to breathe. In a way though I felt relieved that what I had set out to achieve all year was just a few hours away and then I would finally be on the decent back down.

 

At this moment, all I could think about was my family and friends who I missed so much, I had never wanted to be home so much in my entire life. I just wanted the pain to go away. Even the strongest of people were struggling, with the fittest guy in our group also facing symptoms of altitude sickness. This scared me. If the fittest male in our group was struggling, what could make me think I was ever going to make it?

 

Over the course of six hours, broken up by short breaks where I was in tears every 5 minutes, we pulled ourselves slowly and painfully through the thin and icy air. For me this 6 hour walk was one step after the other. My 6 hours was broken up into mini goals just to get over the next hill of unsteady rocks and with the help of two really good ladies in my group, they encouraged me and reminded me of the motto I joked about all trip, “Never Give Up”.

 

All the money raised to National Breast Cancer and the 6 months of intense training were all a reflection of this day. I was finally here and I needed to get to the finish line.

 

Finally after 6 hours, we reached the top of the final climb. It was beautiful, as though I was living a dream. It was indescribable. Instantly I burst into tears and more than anything in the world - I wanted my mum to share this moment with me - one of my greatest achievements was all because of her - the top of the world was standing right before my eyes.

 

In all honesty, I didn’t know what to expect from this epic trek. I knew it was going to be hard, but I never realised how hard. The simplest things in life we take for granted - western toilets, luxurious hot showers, range of beautiful foods, clean purified water, cosy beds and a big roof over our heads. For 14 long days, we had none of this.

 

Toilets were squat toilets, some as basic as just holes in the ground which made you feel ill every time you urgently needed to go and could no longer hold on. Nights were the worst because the last thing you wanted to do was get up in the freezing cold and go to the worlds worst toilet. 

 

Showers, well really this was something I just did not do. The few tea houses that did have showers, well, with the weather being so cold the last thing imaginable was stripping down to nothing and getting into a milk warm shower in negative degrees. In fact, even if you were to shower, to stay clean was almost impossible in those conditions anyway. Although, seeing as the whole group was in the same boat, you didn't feel so guilty.  

 

Food was very basic; being unable to eat meat there you were restricted to not much. I faced loss of appetite and I lived off fried potato chips, chocolate and pringles – I had no energy at all. For me good food back home is my life, I pride myself with good eating habits of fresh vegetables, salads and fresh meat. To have this taken from me for 14 days straight made my body extremely lethargic and I struggled to find my appetite. 

 

We lived in basic tea houses every night with our rooms having no heating. We would crawl up into balls and not move all night just to keep warm. In fact, I questioned why we were even indoors some nights, I could have slept outside and still would have froze just as much. The walls were paper thin and having a decent sleep was just out of the question when sharing with 14 other group members - from snoring to coughing - it was impossible. 

 

One other difficult aspect was the altitude. I faced symptoms of neausia, headaches, nightmares (besides the one that I was actually living), dehydration and shortness of breathe. Every day and night was a struggle after the 3000m line. Although my symptoms were quite mild compared to some members of the group. The key was just to take your time. 

 

All these factors is really what made the trek so difficult. Physically it was hard but mentally was almost unbearable. No training in the world can prepare you for such a challenge. 

 

I would like to give a big thanks to my amazing group members, group leaders, porters & all my friends and family who watched my journey from start to finish and constantly supported me.

 

My group members:

 

I began my trek with a group of 14 people, alongside two guides and four porters. Looking back, I needed a lot of those people. I relied on them when times got tough, because this isn’t just a test of physical strength but one that pushes you to the limit mentally too. And so a simple hug made everything better, when you cried they understood and the laugher and nights we huddled round the fire gossiping overshadowed any negative thoughts that were always lurking. I doubt I would have completed it without them. They were my rocks.

I thank you all for taking this journey with me. You gave me laughs and stories along the way which kept me inspired day in and day out. You helped me push my boundaries to limits I never thought I had in me. You stayed by me every step of the way and pushed me to the finish line. In my eyes, I have made lifelong friends.

 

Again, from the bottom of my heart to all my family and friends I would like to say thank you for your support and encouragment throughout this jounrey. Without you all I would never have had the courage to take on this challenge.

 

   I have never appreciated more where I come from; the people in my life and the life I live back home. Such a eye opening experience which I will forever remember. 

 

Lots of love

 

Melissa Jayne xx

 

 

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EVEREST BASE CAMP NOVEMBER 2012 - PRE TRIP

 

"A Journey of a thousand miles, must begin with a single step. "

 

 

 

 

On the 2nd November 2012 I will be heading off to Nepal to face one of the biggest mental and physical challenges of my life. I will trek Mount Everest Base Camp over a 15 day period and travel to a height of 5360m (17,585ft). In total Everest Summit is 8,848m (29,029ft).

 

Two of the biggest challenges I will face will be adjusting to the climate and high altitude which will require months of preparation and training. Overall this is a mental and physical challenge . 

 

Quote that motivated me to take this challenge:

 

"Once in their lifetime, every person should journey to a place where legends live, where everything is bigger than life. Everest has always represented nature at its most powerful, most awe-inspiring, most unconquerable."

 

 

 

This trip is not only an amazing cultural experience but also a great way to perhaps raise money for a charity.

 

Cancer is something that has affected many people in my life, Breast Cancer being the most common, which is why I have chosen the charity National Breast Cancer Australia.

 

Support Breast Cancer - Hope - Faith - Courage - Love - Fight

 

 

 

In my 24 years of life I have seen close friends mothers battle breast cancer and also one of the closest people in my life, my mum.

 

My mother is one of the most inspirational people to me; she was diagnosed in 2004 and again in 2011 with secondary breast cancer. My mum is only 50 years old and has already been through so much more than any individual should in any lifetime.

 

Watching a loved one battle cancer twice has had such major impact on me and has changed my whole outlook on life. I have realised life is too short to have regrets and hold grudges which is why I live by this motto:

 

“RUN FASTER, EAT BETTER, SLEEP LONGER, TRY HARDER, AIM HIGHER, LOVE MORE – DAY BY DAY GET HAPPIER”

 

With my mother facing such a life threatening situation, well I felt nothing but helpless throughout the whole ideal.  My mother is the ultimate role model, she is courageous, caring, a fighter and without a doubt a loving mother. Not one day did she ever let cancer stop her from living her life and she never gave up hope, she always had strength, and most importantly faith. My mum has successfully beaten cancer twice.

 

So this is my personal challenge to make a difference and help find a cure for breast cancer. With the love and support of family and friends, we can all make a difference.

 

The Everest Base Camp Trek is the ultimate trekking challenge and will be something I will remember forever.

 

To those who have helped me take my first step, I sincerely Thank You

 

 Thank you all for your support xxx

 

Tough Bloke Challenge - 2012

1000 Steps - Dandenongs

- 2.5 HOUR BUSH WALK IN THE DANDENONG RANGES -

- ALTITUDE TRAINING AT TRI-ALLIANCE PORT MELBOURNE -

 

TRAINING AT 6500M - TRI ALLIANCE PORT MELBOURNE

CROSSFIT TRAINING - SANDRINGHAM

 

 

 

-TRAINING WITH MY BEST FRIEND IN THE DANDENONGS -