In January 2016, I married the love of my life. My heart was full, and our wedding day was nothing short of magical. But it wasn’t long before life took us on an adventure that would test my limits, challenge my strength, and redefine who I am.
In January 2017, on our first wedding anniversary, I stood at the summit of Everest Base Camp, feeling on top of the world, both literally and metaphorically. But this wasn’t the end of my journey—life had much more in store.
A Year of Firsts: Conquering Everest Base Camp
When Sara, my wife, came up with the idea for a surprise challenge for our first anniversary, I had no idea just how life-changing it would be. The physical and mental preparation for the trek to Everest Base Camp was just as gruelling as the trek itself. But when we finally planted our flag at the summit, I felt a powerful sense of accomplishment. I had conquered not just a physical mountain, but my own doubts and insecurities. A quote from Sir Edmund Hillary stuck with me on that journey: “It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” This would become a mantra I carried with me through everything life would throw at me.
An Unexpected Turn: A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Fast forward to May 31st, 2017, a day that I will never forget. While recovering from surgery for fibroids, I had a Grand Mal seizure. I was still in the hospital, so I was in good hands, but what happened next shook me to my core. A CT scan revealed a 5cm brain tumour on my right frontal lobe. Alone and in complete shock, I couldn’t process what was happening. All I knew was that my life was about to change in ways I could never have imagined.
What followed were months of surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy. The craniotomy was a success, and my doctors were able to remove most of the tumour. But the aftermath was a blur of appointments, treatments, and emotional challenges. The epilepsy I developed left invisible scars, and the cognitive effects of the surgery made everyday tasks difficult. I struggled with fatigue, problem-solving, memory, and regulating my emotions.
Perhaps one of the hardest parts of all was losing my independence. For four years, I wasn’t able to drive—something I had always taken for granted. I went from being an independent, outgoing person to feeling isolated and lost. As someone who had worked in the Police and thrived on being around people, this loss hit me hard. I wasn’t the person I had once been, and it took time to come to terms with this new version of myself.
The Comeback: Embracing the New Me
After years of medical appointments, treatment, and adjustments, my tumour is stable, my epilepsy is under control, and I’m finally back on the road again—literally and figuratively. I’ve emerged from these challenges stronger, with a newfound sense of gratitude and resilience. I’ve learned that even when life takes you to places you never expected, there’s always room to rebuild and grow. The scars, both visible and invisible, have made me who I am today.
In a twist of fate, I came across The Beyond Recovery Project, a brain tumour support group that has been a lifeline for me. Through their community, I connected with others who shared similar experiences and found strength in their stories. When Sara, the founder of The Beyond Recovery Project, announced that they would be taking on a 100km trek across the Sahara Desert in 2025, I couldn’t resist the opportunity.
Taking on this challenge with such an incredible team is the perfect next step in my journey. It’s not just about walking 100km in one of the harshest environments on Earth—it’s about proving to myself that there’s no limit to what I can achieve, no matter the obstacles I’ve faced.
A Journey of Strength and Hope
I’ve come a long way from the summit of Everest Base Camp, and though my journey has been filled with hardships, it has also been filled with growth, learning, and self-discovery. The road to the Sahara is just another chapter in a story that’s far from over. No matter what life throws at me, I know that I can overcome it—and that’s the lesson I want to share. No challenge is too big, and no dream is too far out of reach. The real mountain is the one we conquer within ourselves.
By Kat Stock
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