5 days ago
Taunton woman, who is battling stage four cancer, taking on 90km cycling challenge
A TAUNTON-based woman with stage four cancer has decided to take on the 90km Tour De 4 bike challenge in Scotland, even though she is currently undergoing chemotherapy.
Fiona Grant, who lives on Belvedere Road, Taunton, was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer two years ago.
In the last nine months alone, she has been on three different types of chemotherapy, something she has described as 'relentless' and 'an absolutely gruelling onslaught.'
Despite this, Fiona has decided that on September 7, her and her partner Andy Blance will be following in Sir Chris Hoy's footsteps and will be riding to raise funds for Penny Brohn Cancer Care and Macmillan Cancer Support.
See their gofundme campaign links here:
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The Tour de 4 was established following Sir Chris Hoy's diagnosis of stage four cancer with a clear purpose: to demonstrate that the diagnosis doesn't define the limits of what is possible.
Fiona said that Sir Chris Hoy's journey was a huge source of inspiration for her decision to take part in the Tour De 4 bike challenge.
She said: 'I was just like how can it happen to a man that fit and strong?
'It was such a shock, sometimes you feel like 'what did I do to deserve this', 'how did I let it get to stage four without realising?' but you realise it can happen to anyone.
'Cancer can be so silent for so long and that's the shocking thing about it. Cancer doesn't discriminate who its going for.'
The ride that Fiona aims to do will entail cycling 90km (approximately 56 miles) on ebike, something she has been training for alongside her chemotherapy.
When asked about her training journey she said: 'I was doing fantastically in early April and cycling every day and then I got really ill in April and its completely sideswept me.
'Now I've picked myself back up.
'You just have to crack on. I've got to accept that September is a long time away, anything could happen to me in that time. I could get better, I could get worse, I don't know. But I am just so glad I have that as my goal. Just getting up to Scotland will be an adventure for me now.'
Prior to being diagnosed Fiona shared that fitness has always been a crucial part of her daily routines and remains to be something that gives her, joy, purpose and meaning.
She said: 'One of the hard things for me was up until I got ill, I had amazing stamina. Now, with the fatigue I can't do what I used to. It's like running on dodgy batteries.
'I do think exercise is really important for people with any form of cancer. It's been very much proven as a beneficial intervention, and I think that everybody should try to do something.'
When asked what advice she would give to other people in her situation she said: 'Find something you enjoy doing, find something that gives you purpose and meaning and brings you joy every day.
'Nobody deserves cancer I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but it does open your mind to all the wonderful small things every day and that is quite a gift.
'I've realised it's just about the small things and finding joy in them. Its finding purpose and meaning in things that give you joy and occupying your time in ways that you like.
'I can't really plan, I know that it could not happen any of it, so it makes you much more aware of the present because that's all we've got.'
