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, 18 February 2012

Home is where the heart is....

It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings....
I'm not singing....
I'm so tired that I feel positively ill. I kidded myself that three weeks after the last chemo - I would be back to normal. Yeah! Right! I think I know now, why the consultant has signed me off for a year. It's not just tiredness -  I can still taste the chemo; I can still feel it humming through my body; the drugs are still very much in there. And I start 4 weeks intensive radiotherapy on Monday. Oooh la la!
Mind you. I don't take things lying down.
We have news.....
After a lot of soul-searching, and trying to apply our practical brains, we've decided to sell the house and downsize. It's been a tough decision & something we haven't done lightly - but something had to give. We don't know how this cancer will affect my long-term future & we want to enjoy life now. Gary also doesn't want me to be stressed out in any job in the future. Stress can exacerbate the cancer. So by downsizing & considerably reducing the mortgage - we can live for now and we don't have to worry about me working. So, to that end, we have put in an offer & had it accepted, on a smaller property, in the same village. Our house goes on the market on Saturday. Wow! At the end of the day..it's only bricks and mortar. Our 'home' will be wherever the 'Gang of Three' are together, happy, well, enjoying life.
We've shared part of this half term holiday with Gary's sister Tina, husband Jim & our nephew Ashley. And a great time we've had! They travelled a mammoth 400 miles to be here from the north-east. Trips out to Bude, Boscastle & Barnstaple (!) (OK - I confess - I rested at home). Pasties, illusive clotted cream, and a final meal 'Steak Night' with Devon bred beef. Lots of laughs, lots of fun, lots of eating....thanks guys!
I've planned a little treat for Lily today. With her good friend, also called Lily, we are taking them for a mini manicure and kids cocktails! Should be fun, and at last - some Mummy time with my girl before the next round of treatment starts.
Yes - I've been tattooed in the offending area and I've been drawn on, to the point at which Lily asked, "Are you sure they didn't play noughts and crosses on you while you were lying down Mummy?". I have a rather  fetching top to wear for each session of radiotherapy. It has poppers down the front and down each arm, for ease of use while under the machinery. One sneeze - and the waiting room will get more than they bargained for! Hahaha. Barbara Windsor...Carry on Camping...
Lots of people have asked what they can do to help. And lots of my friends are now taking up weird and wonderful challenges to help both the Hospice - which are so wonderful to me and my family, and also the new Chemo Unit appeal - to build a purpose-built unit, at my local North Devon hospital. Some friends are planning a sky dive...more of that later. On April 1st, my VBF - Julie is running a 10k marathon. She's not a runner. She hates running. And she's hated the training even more! But she wanted to do something to match my bravery (her words not mine). So please sponsor her. She's running for the North Devon Hospice and it's easy to sponsor via your computer at http://www.justgiving.com/Julie-Darling . Thankyou!
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Friday, 3 February 2012

Time Out

OK everyone.


On the count of three....

James Brown...

High volume....

Whoa-oa-oa! I feel good, 
I knew that I would, now
I feel good,
I knew that I would, now
So good, 
So good, 
I got you


Ain't life grand?
xxx
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