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.

Saturday, 24 September 2011

Ouch!

The psychologists amongst you will realise I'm deferring the reality of having chemo by taking on ludicrous acts of pain - in the name of beauty. Yes I'm talking about eyebrow & eyeliner tattoo-ing.
I am keen not to look like a cancer 'victim'. You know what I mean. A pale moon face. No facial features - eyebrows, eyelashes or hair. No make-up. And a triangle head-scarf.
I sound cruel - but I'm allowed to be - I have cancer too.
I want to be glamorous in treatment!  I want to show how it can be done. I don't actually care that people know I've got cancer..or that I'm having treatment for it...or I'm wearing a wig. But I do want it to be fun - to play 'dressing-up' every day. And for the sake of Lily and Gary - I do want to resemble me! So I embark on my quest for normality..... And it's extreme.
The lovely tattoo-ing lady Billie, a townie from 'upcountry' has been drafted in to do her thing. We have a long discussion regarding the techniques. I shouldn't call it a tattoo really - it's semi-permanent makeup - but it's the same as a tattoo....just not as deep, uses natural mineral dyes instead of ink, and will fade over time. We choose the best colours for me and set about creating my eyeliner first. I decide on this - as without eyelashes and lashings of my favourite mascara - I look as if I belong in a morgue. Local anaesthetic is applied to my lids, and Billie sets to work. Within seconds I'm saying 'OUCH' in my head. I try to be brave - this is self-inflicted after-all...but jimminy cricket...it really hurts - A LOT! It feels like she's slicing my lid open - the supposed anaesthetic having no numbing effect at all. Billie then treats the other eye. Then back to the first eye for more and so on, for 4 or 5 times. This is seriously not for the faint-hearted - you have to really really want this.
I do.
And I still have my eyebrows to re-create yet! Billie draws two stunning brow looks on me - one either side for me to choose from. Decision made. To create natural hair strokes - there is a sensation of slicing, as before, and fine drilling. But after the painful eyeliner - this almost seems easy - well ok - easy-ish!
The finished effect - is - well, stunning! And bold. Very bold! In order to compensate for the 40% fading which occurs in the first week of healing and repair, it's best to go darker than required - and yes - I signed up for that!
I get home to Gary & Lily. "You look scary, Mummy!..... Daddy - look at Mummy!". Then they are helpless. Helpless with laughter. An eyebrow pencil is produced and they set about drawing huge & ridiculous eyebrows on each others faces....
See, I told you it would be fun!
Ouch!
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