Interview
“ As long as I wasn ’ t putting myself at risk , I would just go and run , and it really did keep my brain going ”.
back – but some of the other effects of her cancer treatment are longer-lasting . “ It ’ s messed up my body ” she says , describing serious after-effects such as her “ dodgy heart , osteopenia , weight gain and early menopause ”, as well as now being dependant on an array of medications . However , she still nurtures the hope that she will be able to have children – even if it has to be achieved ‘ a longer way around ’ than for most people . If it comes to it and she isn ’ t in a relationship , she says she ’ s even prepared to undergo IVF and go it alone to have a child . Twins , she says , would be the ideal ! Meanwhile , the main focus is keeping herself as healthy as possible , while building her business and raising funds for the cancer charity . “ I ’ m all clear at the moment , but it ’ s a mind ball and you can never really feel 100 % clear – any little ache or pain can throw your mind off track again ”. Focusing on her £ 5,000 target for Wessex Cancer Trust by doing the marathons and other fund-raisers is one way of putting her mind in another zone . Some of the marathons will be in Belgium near Anthony ’ s Brussels home , and others in Portsmouth , Dorset , and Kent . Around those , Victoria finds mental escape by jumping on a spin bike at the gym and working out to ‘ cheesy music ’. Or she simply walks on the beach . Looking to the future , she says : “ I want to have a long life and enjoy every single moment of it . My mantra is ‘ carpe diem ’ ( seize the day ) and I believe that if you don ’ t like something , then go and change it . “ I think this whole experience has made me more intolerant of people moaning about stupid stuff . When you ’ ve had your whole life turned upside down , hearing people moan about mismatched socks or whatever tends to wind you up . “ People should enjoy what they ’ ve got , because it ’ s too easy to throw it away .”
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