Hi all,
My name is Nikki Bradley and I am your new columnist! 
Some of you may have already read my story which was featured on Donegal Daily before.
For those who haven’t I will start with a little introduction.
I am a second hip replacement patient using fitness to create awareness for Ewing’s Sarcoma.
Ewing’s is a rare form of bone cancer that I, myself, was diagnosed with in 2002.
I made a decision during the summer to try a little experiment. This experiment involved me aiming to get as fit as I can.
I wanted to see how far I could push myself and so far I haven’t been disappointed! As I have experienced various ups and downs throughout the past ten years, I thought I should use myself as an example to possibly motivate others in similar situations.
Right, introduction over, let’s get down to business!
Firstly, the bad news…
As mentioned by Rachel McLaughlin in last weeks featured article, I was due to have a procedure in St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin, last Tuesday 3rd September.
Unfortunately, the procedure didn’t work. It involved putting me to sleep and rigging up a device, known as a Spinal Cord Stimulator, to the nerves in my back.
They then brought me back around as they needed me to be awake to test the device. It was at this point that things began to go downhill.
As soon as I regained consciousness I felt extreme pain in my back. In order to check the device, my surgeon had to perform key hole surgery on my spine.
They were looking for a response from the nerve endings in my right hip however, the response they were after just didn’t come.
I basically couldn’t feel it in the area they wanted me to feel it. What I did feel was a whole lot of pain in my back.
It was truly horrific I must admit. It felt like someone was knocking the wind out of me while simultaneously strumming on my nerves as if they were playing a guitar!
Not a pleasant experience by any means! Eventually they were forced to give up as by that stage I was too distressed.
Naturally, I was heartbroken and bitterly disappointed, but I have since come to terms with it. We will just have to go back to the drawing board and hatch a new plan.
Having my training to fall back on has been essential in my emotional recovery. To be able to throw myself back into something I love has been a godsend.
I train with Michael Black in Optimal Fitness and I must say, him and his business partner, Adam Speer, have the coolest gym ever!
Firstly, it’s huge. Secondly, the views from up there are fantastic. It might seem strange to say, but I find it to be quite a peaceful space.
I get on the bike and daydream out the window while I peddle away like a mad woman. The layout of the gym is excellent also.
All the equipment is nicely spaced out, so even on a busy day you never feel like you are on top of one another which suits me just fine!
There is nothing worse than walking over to the weights section only to be greeted by a whole host of sweaty men looking at you.
It’s intimidating, so fellas, keep your eyes on the floor! Haha.
Well I should wrap this up as otherwise I may never stop talking.
I hope you enjoyed my first column, stay tuned for next weeks installment.
Nikki x”