A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER who had half a lung removed due to cancer is going the extra mile to thank the team who have cared for her.

Julie Mullis, from Newbury, has set herself the challenge of walking 70 miles throughout the year, the distance between her home and Guy’s Hospital, where she has undergone two operations to remove tumours from her lungs.

The 72-year-old is using the walks as exercise to help recover from her operations, as well as an opportunity to raise money for Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity.

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In November 2020, after noticing she was getting short of breath when walking, Julie had a series of scans.

When the results came back, Julie was given the difficult news that she had cancer in both of her lungs.

Reading Chronicle: JulieJulie

During an appointment at her local hospital to discuss her treatment options, she was seen by Guy’s and St Thomas’ consultant thoracic surgeon Mr John Pilling, who also provides outpatient clinics at Royal Berkshire Hospital.

The grandmother-of-13 said: “Mr Pilling told me that I had three choices: he could do two operations to try and remove the cancer from both lungs, I could have radiotherapy or I could do nothing.

"The confidence he gave from the way he spoke and the knowledge he had instantly reassured me. I knew I had to have the operations.”

Julie’s first procedure to remove tumours on her right lung took place just 12 days after her appointment with Mr Pilling.

Julie said: “I couldn’t believe that with everything going on with COVID-19 that they would be able to see me so soon.

“Three days before the operation a courier came to deliver me a COVID-19 test, then took it back to make sure I was negative.

"Thankfully it was negative and just a few days later I had my first operation followed by the second just a month after that.”

Over the last 20 years Julie has been treated for various conditions and undergone a total of 14 operations.

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Despite this, she was determined to do what she could to get back on her feet while raising money for those that have cared for her.

Julie explained: “The second operation removed half of my left lung.

"I was told that the best exercise to build up my lung capacity was to start going on short walks.

"At the best of times, I need a good reason to walk, so I decided to raise money for Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity to motivate myself to go out of the house each day.”

With the help of husband Steve, Julie has gone on her short daily walk every day, rain or shine.

All of the cancer on Julie’s lungs was successfully removed by the operations, though Julie will continue to see a doctor at Royal Berkshire Hospital every three months to check the cancer has not returned.

The walks are Julie’s way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who’ve done all they can to give her the best chance of remaining cancer free.

She said: “After Mr Pilling did my operation, I had to stay on the Dorcas Ward at Guy’s Hospital. The nurses were absolutely fantastic. Any problem I had, they were more than happy to help.

“Having had so many operations over the years, I’ve stayed in a lot of hospitals and I have to say, even the food on the ward at Guy’s was good.”

Mr John Pilling said: “It’s fantastic to see Julie getting outside every day for her walks and turning her post-surgery rehabilitation into something so positive.

“I’d like to thank her for choosing to raise money for Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity and wish her the best of luck with the rest of her fundraising.”

To read Julie’s daily updates or to donate to her fundraiser, visit her JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/julie-r-mullis.