Six months on – my new normal

Today (June 23 , 2021) marks a full six months since my last chemo treatment. I find it incredible. I feel amazing. It sometimes feels like it was another person, another life, when I reflect on what happened last year. My goal was that cancer didn’t take anything from me. And it didn’t. I had

Part 14: A new normal

Today marks a full six months since my last chemo treatment. I find it incredible. I feel amazing. It sometimes feels like it was another person, another life, when I reflect on what happened last year. My goal was that cancer didn’t take anything from me. And it didn’t. I had a few weeks where

Part 13: The end of my cancery tale

The happiest ending I can remember sitting in my gynaecologist’s office in early August talking about a likely treatment plan and counting on my fingers and thinking ahead to today. So, after a lumpectomy; insertion of a port-a-cath; two rounds of chemo, or 13 sessions (ending up as weak as a kitten, but looking far

Part 12: Radiotherapy – Star Trek experience

Now I am in the middle of radiotherapy – not quite literally, but almost. So, on 27 January, I can report that my energy levels are right where they were before I started chemo (and I am quite high energy – so maybe there are some who got to like the toned down version?) One

Part 11: Ready for radiation

I’ve now met my Radiology Consultant and had the preparation appointment, so I am ready for 21 sessions of radiotherapy starting on 14 January. You have several small tattoos and I was apprehensive about them, but they just look like freckles and you’d have to be really looking to notice them. And everyone has told

Part 10: After chemo – the road to recovery (almost)

The joy of finishing chemo was everything I could have hoped for. I was blown away by the messages, the flowers, the gifts and the response to publishing my blog. (A reminder again to get those health checks booked in. It really made my day each time someone committed to get checked.) My previous experience

Part 9: The ultimate Christmas gift – Ringing a different bell

To say I have had a shocking year is an understatement. Covid19 has been about 5th or 6th on my list of bad things this year. But today, I am not letting one negative idea, comment or concept anywhere near me. Today, I have finished chemotherapy. No bells to ring in Switzerland, but metaphorically, I

Part 8: It has a happy ending

As the weeks tick by we start to prepare to move. We have planned it so it is shouldn’t be too stressful – keeping our apartment for an extra month so that we don’t need to rush the rigorous handover. I am keeping faith in the Dr’s graph (that the low point is the end

Part 7:The Wigley diaries

My wig is as good as they come. And her name is Wigley – maiden name of my oldest friend and duet partner (yes we were synchronised swimmers 🤩). I asked Gracie’s permission and her family are proud to have such a namesake. I figured that Gracie (and the Wigleys) have had a lot of

Part 6: Reality strikes

Going into round 2 I feel apprehensive, but as positive as you can. When the Dr tells me that my bloods are ‘the best he’s ever seen’, I am proud (and wondering if he tells that to all his patients). The hardest part so far has been dealing with people worrying about me and being