So here are my top ten breast cancer hates. 1. Fatigue/feeling weak. I’m such a doer. I can’t stand being immobilised. I get frustrated and depressed. It’s not easy to just sit back and do nothing. 2. Chemo brain. The only thing that I really value about myself is my intellect. Chemo brain takes this…
DetailsHere are what I consider to be the 10 worst words in a breast cancer patient’s dictionary: =1. Metastasis. The last thing you want to hear out of a doctor’s mouth unless accompanied by the word “no” or “none” =1. Spread. Same reason. 3. Reoccurrence. What we all fear most after metastasis and what we…
DetailsI know, I know. I’ve posted a lot about the people I love. But you can’t be too grateful. And it makes for a good Top Ten. Don’t hate me if you’re reading this and you’re not in it. That doesn’t mean I don’t love and appreciate you. I do. Very much. But these are…
DetailsI just gave my daughter Natalie a goodnight cuddle. She is 6 going on 16 and incredibly stubborn, independent, intelligent and often grumpy. She is also extremely perceptive and caring. She smelt of soap and shampoo and strawberries, and she was almost as soft and warm as the day she arrived in the world, with…
DetailsOne of my new BC friends, the lovely Sarah, writes a great cancer blog. She is much braver than me and has been sharing it as she goes along – you can find her at http://hbocuninformed.blogspot.co.uk/. Anyhow, Sarah has started posting on 100 reasons she is grateful for her BC diagnosis. This started me thinking.…
DetailsLast weekend I organised a get together for members of the Younger Breast Cancer Network (UK) in town. We had lunch and tea then drinks (though being old and boring I wimped out before drinks). There aren’t rally enough adjectives to describe the afternoon but it’s worth a shot. First, though, I ought to say…
DetailsThis afternoon I saw my third oncologist (is there a collective noun for oncologists? A cancer of oncologists?). Another very lovely man, he didn’t treat me like an idiot but talked to me like a grown-up. And at last I have my Plan. To cut a long story short – after chemo will come the…
DetailsThank the Lord for my work. Genuinely. Honestly. I couldn’t have been signed off and stayed sane. Even working through the fog of chemo is better than endless Jeremy Kyle and Cash in the Attic But in particular, thank the Lord for work. I started a new job in January and was lucky enough to…
DetailsI’ve had a lovely lovely week. My wonderful husband surprised me several times on our anniversary. It felt like being on honeymoon all over again. There was lots of laughter and many tears of happiness. I was very emotional and I appreciated every second. No need to go into details of gifts and experiences but…
DetailsToday is our 10th wedding anniversary. We have spent the night at the Ritz, been to the theatre and had an amazing breakfast. We are off to lunch at Gordon Ramsey. My fantabulous husband has given me a beautiful diamond necklace. I am living in the moment and I am in ecstasy. It all feels…
DetailsMy husband keeps telling me I should publish this blog. To be honest I’m not sure I’m ready. It’s a bit like getting undressed in public. There’s a certain amount I’m not sure I want anyone to see. But that said, it may help people to understand. It may help others going through it. Maybe.…
DetailsBone ache. Ouch. A bit like period pains but in my bones and throughout my body. Not pleasant. Better than nausea and chemo brain, but not a walk in the park. Hurry up and go away.