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.

Tuesday, 26 June 2012

Special days

Wake up!
It's my birthday!


And so it was. My gorgeous, reason for living, little girl's 7th birthday.


Presents appeared. Masses of wrapping paper and cards strewn on our giant bed. 
Mermaid Barbie.
Talking boyfriend Ken.
Moshi monsters
You name it. They were all in our bed!
When we finally emerged - Lily declared a 'Pyjama Day!' - and so, with her new butterfly PJ's on she practised what she had preached.
Earlier in the week I had asked what she would like for a special birthday dinner - as her party wasn't til the following day.
Pizza?
Chicken nuggets?
No.
Not our Lily.
Mussels to start with please Mummy, then rare steak, and we'll have profiteroles for dessert. 
And can we have Shloer to drink? 


The next day - party day. Great excitement all round.
Lily had invited 14 friends to the Quince Honey Farm. An hour & half play in the indoor soft-play/climbing zone. Face painting (by yours truly - I quickly taught myself a bumble bee & a spider!). A party tea. And the arrival of my epic home-made bee-hive shaped cake - complete with sugar bees, and a honey-comb (courtesy of Cadbury's Crunchy Bars!) topping. Marvellous! The children were all delightful. They all had great fun. No injuries, no fights, and no tears.....


Gary & celebrated our 12th Wedding Anniversary.
It was quite poignant. We were glad that we could celebrate together. That I'm still here.
Out of the blue - Gary decided to take me away for a luxury weekend.
And boy - what an amazing time we had. 
A suite, overlooking the sea at the St Moritz Hotel in Cornwall.
Full use of pool & Cowshed spa
A couples massage & facial
Champagne
Exquisite Dinner
A toast - to each other for surviving....
Emperor bed, etc, etc, etc


A weekend to remember.....


Thank you Gary G.
For everything. x
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)