On the 28th July 2011, my life changed in one phone call with the simple words - 'yes - it's cancer'. I've created this blog, for the benefit of my wonderful close and extended family; and for my amazing friends around the globe, so I can keep you abreast (!) of my journey.

My diagnosis of 2 x grade 3 (fast growing) tumours - type - 'Triple-Negative' - so called
because it doesn’t
have receptors (proteins on the surface
of cells) for the hormones oestrogen and
progesterone, or a protein called HER2, was shocking. This rare aggressive sub-type of breast cancer, therefore, doesn't respond to common
hormonal treatments, such as tamoxifen or
anastrozole (Arimidex®
) or
trastuzumab (Herceptin®
). Survival rates are considerably lower, than for more common types of breast cancer, especially in years 0 - 5, but on a par 5+ years post treatment.

Fast forward to December 2020. Secondary cancer . Triple negative again but the tumour localised to the scar of the primary cancer. The prognosis is weaker. I am buying myself time - with chemo currency.

This will not be a sad tale - but I hope it will amuse you, inspire you, and most of all allow me to lean on you from afar, as you guide me through what looks like a rocky road ahead.

I can't guarantee a happy ending, but hope to make you laugh to the end.

Wednesday, 17 August 2011

My Chemo Box

I have an adorable younger sister  - Becky. It's her daughter, my neice - aged 10, that is 6 years in remission of leukaemia. If there's one person who can possibly know what I'm about to embark on - it's Becky. Not only from her daughter - but travelling the same road with a chemo trial/treatment herself for a non-cancerous condition for the past couple of years.
We meet for the first time since my diagnosis. We cling onto each other. Becky cries - I let her. I still can't get used to hurting those around me, that I love the most, with such awful news.

My neice presents me with a box, tied with beautiful ribbon. 'Your Chemo box, Aunty Jane - it's from all of us'
I'm choked.
I open the box & the contents are as follows:
One fabulous head scarf....
One Emma Bridgewater journal/notebook for my scribbling nonsense
A copy of Jodi Picoult's 'My Sister's Keeper' a story of a family's battle with leukaemia
A chunk of 'The Comforter' from Lush for my bath
A slab of 85% cocoa chocolate - to take the taste of chemo away
A tin of fish (and a promise of black olives) cos that's what my neice remembers eating while on chemo
Lance Armstrong's legendry account of his fight with cancer
A copy of 'The Slap' - This years bestseller - 'whose side are you on?'
And finally, a copy of 'A Glimpse of Eternity' a story of life beyond death (just in case!)

I'm touched.
Each item, I know has been carefully chosen for practicality, for inspiration and more importantly, for love. I shall treasure these items...except the ones I can eat of course!
Thank you.
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