A Ramsgate legal cashier is taking on an epic fitness challenge after undergoing two major operations to beat cancer.
Mollie Telford, 29, was diagnosed with soft tissue cancer Sarcoma in May last year.
The former Ellington student had sought advice from numerous doctors after discovering a lump in her tricep.
After 18 months of GP appointments, ultrasounds, MRIs and initially being told it was nothing to be concerned about, she was finally diagnosed and referred to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London.
Mollie said: “The Sarcoma team who treated me and were incredible. I had two major operations to remove the lump and then the surrounding tissue. Luckily, it was low grade and I didn’t need chemo or radiotherapy.
“My surgeon told me if I had left the lump then it would have spread to my lungs and my bones.
“For the last year and a half I have been in rehabilitation to gain the strength back in my arm after several physio appointments and scar therapy.
“I have a very big keloid scar on my arm which I receive physio and massage therapy for, I have a weakness in my rotator cuff and have lost a lot of strength in my arm and upper body.
“I’ve always been really passionate about fitness and weightlifting so you can imagine what this recovery was like.”
During diagnosis and recovery Mollie was supported by Macmillan Cancer Support which provides physical, financial and emotional help as well as raising funds for research and campaigning to achieve better cancer care and support for the cancer workforce.
Boys & Maughan staff member Mollie is now determined to raise funds for Macmillan and spread the word for people to check any lumps they might have but also to show that you can achieve goals after a cancer diagnosis.
Tomorrow {November 30) she and friend Elle Chambers will be taking on the Hyrox fitness challenge at London ExCel.
This involves an 8k run with a ‘functional movement’ such as a 1000m row, 200m farmers carry with kettlebells and 100m sandbag lunges, after each 1k.
Mollie said: “I signed myself up for a ‘Hyrox’ and started training six months ago. It’s been really tough and at times I felt like I couldn’t go on as I have a weakness in my arm and shoulder but I pushed through.
“My friend Elle and I will be competing in the women’s doubles division so the workouts in between the runs will be divided between us.
“Lots of professional athletes do it so it’s quite daunting but Macmillan is a big part of Hyrox and they brand themselves as the fitness event for ‘every body’ which I think is great.
“I’m very nervous as it’s such a massive challenge for me but I am so determined! I want to prove to myself and to other people that you can still be capable of achievements even after a cancer diagnosis.
“By spreading awareness of my story I am hoping that people will be checking any lumps that come up on their body and become more aware of the rare types of cancers like Sarcoma.
“If what I’m doing encourages even one person to go and get a lump checked then I’ll be happy I’ve made a difference.
“Macmillan were amazing and I couldn’t have done all of this without their support.”
London HYROX is three days of fitness racing from November 29th to December 1st. The women’s doubles, which Mollie and Elle are competing in, will be held tomorrow between 8am and 12.10pm.
It combines running and functional workout stations, where participants run 1km, followed by 1 functional workout station, repeated eight times.
Mollie’s Macmillan fundraising page can be found by clicking here
Find support and information about Macmillan Cancer Support here
