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, 7 September 2011

Happy Birthday!

I was 46 yesterday.....bit ridiculous.......but only because I still think I'm 28!

It didn't seem appropriate to celebrate my birthday in any normal fashion nor did we feel like it - but with six year old Lily leaping on our bed at 7am laden with cards & gifts, grinning like a Cheshire cat- it's hard not to get in the spirit of things.

Gary & Lily gave me a fab Amazon Kindle with a bright pink case. The perfect present for me as I'm a prolific reader and love gadgets (well I do if Gary's there to set it up & teach me what the darn gizmo can do!). A well thought-out present too, as I've no doubt in the next year or so, there will be long periods hanging around the chemo/radiotherapy departments, waiting for or having treatment. Plus there will be days of recuperation to come. The down side of being triple-negative, is the chemo will be very tough, very aggressive & will make me quite poorly (apparently - according to BCN). Quite looking forward to indulging in reading novels for a day job!

Other gifts including a trendy poncho, smashing photo in a frame of my now grown-up godsons, a pampering goody bag, wonderful lip balmer, fabulous silk pillow for my baldy head and so on. Thank you all, again for cards and messages - unexpected as usual!

We ate lemon sole, tiramasu & toasted Bill with a quality Zinfandel. God bless you.

Talking of Bill. His funeral has been arranged for 5pm on Friday 16th September at Bramcote Crematorium, Nottingham. Everybody is welcome to join us. Afterwards - the only place that could accommodate the expected number of mourners - hilariously is the Long Eaton Masonic Lodge! I say hilariously because Bill was not a Mason, didn't approve of secret societies, and would be horrified at the very idea of going there. He was a socialist and a very principled man. Oh dear...I do hope this doesn't come back to haunt us!

Off to see Dr Scratch-card, my oncologist (chemo doctor) tomorrow - to talk about my 'options'. Not sure what my 'options' are at this stage......just get me better please.
I'll do anything.
Go anywhere.
Take any drug offered.

I want to live. You won't win cancer. You bugger.
Oh...and Happy Birthday!
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