Melissa Clarke

Day 18 - 4.4km

A morning of rainbows. Dave walked with me and we set off early in support of Aimee doing a 2km swim leg of the half Ironman in Port Macquarie. My legs today were really suffering muscle weakness and fatigue caused by paraneoplastic syndrome. it is expected to settle once the cancer is treated. 🤞 Share

Day 17 - 4.5

Despite heavy ran when I woke, by the time I dressed the day was perfect for walking on the beach! Share

Day 16. - 4km

The rain held off and the sun made pools of silver on the sea. I feel fatigued - not long now until surgery and the road to recovery. short post. Tired. Share

Day 15 - 4.4km

Walked from home to the whale watching platform. we could see whales splashing in the distance but the sunset looking back over the lagoon was pretty. Share

Day 14 - 4.2km

Dave walked beside me today and we called Aimee and shared her walk from work in the city to home. All the while, heavy rain clouds threatened and a chilly southerly blew. I will continue to walk every day until my surgery but know there is no way I’ll make 40km before Wednesday - perhaps 20? but after the surgery I think with a short walk each day I’ll get close. The biggest blessing right now is that my mental health is good so despite dealing with some physical stuff, I can keep progressing with a positive attitude for those who are struggling. Reading some posts in the private OFF group I know that black dog is lurking for some but also the love and support shown is a reminder that no one has to be alone on their dark days. 26000 walkers and their supporters have raised over $4million. That is awesome! The photo is of a tiny watercolour I did yesterday from a photo o took of bogong moths, assorted bugs and leaves washed up in the tide line. These moths didn’t make it to the Snowy’s but I admire their migratory instincts. Share

Day 13 - 4.2km

A slow walk today but so beautiful. Calm seas of e beautiful green, pods of dolphins and ever present rainbows of pebbles. Share

Day 12 - 1km

Way too weak and fatigued. I managed a very slow km on the beach but knew not to push even though it was against my will. Let’s see what this afternoon or tomorrow brings. Absolutely gorgeous day and so grateful to kind friends who could see where I was at and would have given their own time to walk home with me. While I felt that I was ok to get home, it is reassuring to know when others have your back. Share

Day 11 -6km

A sunny and warm walk from home to the Five Islands at Saltwater. The beach looked beautiful and was full of families enjoying the last day of the school holidays. Today, along the forest trail, the birdsong was lively and kept me smiling and searching for our feathered friends. I remembered once that a student asked me for my favourite animal - after some thought I said ‘birds’ because they always sing, look joyful as they fly about and they are simply beautiful. Later my student gave me a portrait she’d done of me standing in a floral dress, arms outstretched with dozens of birds flying around me. Perfect. Share

Day 10 - 4.3km

This morning was raining so did my walk in the late afternoon. Can I reach my goal of 100km in the next 10 days? My BC surgery is on the 21st. I sure will give it my best. The photo today is of driftwood at Saltwater looking very much like a swan. We also watched whales breaching out to sea. Beautiful. Share

Day 9 - 3.2km

Today I definitely could have stayed in bed a lot longer. Prrhaps I overdid the walking yesterday but then I remembered why I am walking. I got out of bed and put one foot in front of the other for those struggling to do just that. I had to laugh - washed up on the beach was half a toilet seat - a perfect symbol for my ‘half-arsed’ attempt at walking today. However, I did it! I’m glad this challenge doesn’t include timed walks. I love the joy I find in stopping and chatting to lovely people, picking up a shell or pebble (or half a toilet seat!), feeling the waves on my feet. Today it was high tide with a huge swell so I walked in soft sand and foamy water. Share

Day 8 - 6.2km

I walked from home to the end of the Five Islands track at Saltwater National Park plus a little bit to reach 6km. I did my favourite thing and stopped halfway to sketch by the water. Sketching, besides bringing me great joy, also brings calm to my body. I have been trying to get to the bottom of chronic autoimmune problems but on a consult with my neurologist yesterday following tests he said the recent diagnosis of recurrent breast cancer actually sheds light on my symptoms. Something called paraneoplastic auto antibodies which is an attack by my immune system on healthy cells in response to the cancer. Ok, so that is my simplistic understanding but wow, without over sharing, it explains so much!! I’m on a roll - past a third of km goal, surpassed fundraising goal and on track to wellness after my cancer treatment. Thank you to everybody supporting me on this journey. Life is good!! Share

Day 7 - 4.1km

A damp and windy southerly. High tide.Good to get out and I think I’m close to a third of my walking goal. I should be able to complete it before breast cancer surgery. Share

Day 6 - 3.4km

Today was a beautiful, early evening walk with a lovely sunset overlooking Khappinghat Ck, Saltwater National Park. The walk was short but we maintained a fair pace. Share

Day 5 - 7.4km

Did a longer walk today with Aimee and David from home to Flow in Old Bar for a coffee and return. Moody grey skies but cooler air made fora pleasant beach walk. However I needed to sleep for an hour and a half afterwards. The fatigue and weakness - cancer or immune disorder, I don’t know - but it is real! But, I’m nearly 25% towards my 100km goal and I’ll make it. We have totally been buoyed by our generous supporters. Just amazing. I’ve tripled my fundraising goal to $1500 because the donations very quickly reached my $500 goal. Thank you and I hope together we can help the lives of the people we love. Share

Day 4 - 3km

Very tired today. Fatigued legs from CIDP. Short walk and a quick one at sunset. Share

Day 3 -4km

My 60th birthday. Walking with my daughter/team member. Special times Share

Day 3 - 4km

My 60th birthday.  Share

Day 2 - scissors in the sand

Another stunning spring day walking with purpose in the golden morning light casting its magic. Whale plumes glowing in the slanted rays, pebbles glistening and casting long shadows, galahs dressed in 1980s pink and grey suits cavorting in the sand hills and a pair of scissors at the waters edge! The scissors remind me of a story that is relevant to this journey. once dad was walking along a long stretch of isolated beach and found a sad seagull with a hook through its beak. Wondering how he would help it, he looked down and there was a pair of pliers sticking out of the sand. How wonderful that the universe placed dad, the stricken gull and a pair of pliers in the same place at the same time!! While finding these scissors didn’t contribute to saving a life today, I was reminded that when we need to help or be helped, we are all connected and we just need to be open to the people and universe around us. I am just 1 of nearly 25,000 people doing this incredible challenge, but I believe our joint effort will be a powerful support. Yesterday was amazing for me with so many generous people taking me past my fundraising goal. I also received news on my cancer treatment plan for recurrent breast cancer. For now, surgery in the next 2-3 weeks to remove the cancer and lymph node/s from my previously reconstructed breast followed by radiation therapy and continued hormone therapy. I can deal with this and I know that walking for others will also be a walk for my own headspace and physical health as I go into treatment. Share

Day 1 - 2 challenges

I walked 4.2km this morning along Wallabi Beach. This glorious spring morning made Day 1 very enjoyable. A great start. Symbolically, I found 2 hearts in my pocket this morning - a shell and a pebble from my last walk - a reminder that this month my heart is beating for the heart of all those touched by mental health issues and thoughts of suicide. My two challenges? Firstly, walking 100km in October for the Black Dog Institute, for someone dear to me touched by the black dog and for all those who suffer. Secondly, when I signed up a few weeks ago for this challenge I had no idea that after 6 years in remission, my breast cancer would recur. After biopsies, PET and MRI scans - today I will find out my treatment plan. I’m already booked in for surgery this month and will know the date soon. Can I deal with both these challenges simultaneously? Absolutely! I will face both with positivity and take each day as it comes. However, from previous experience, we can’t predict what tomorrow holds for us both physically and mentally, there are times you have to listen to your body and your soul and rest or graciously accept the support of others. If I struggle making the 100km, my daughter/team member will help add what I can’t make. So, 95.8km to go. Any words of encouragement you can offer will help. Share