Join in the Create a life you love Challenge…. Doing something you love… Something that makes you want to bounce out of bed in the morning… something that makes you smile and feel alive…
All challenge entry fees are being donated to Living Beyond Diagnosis – an organisation hosting events for anyone affected by cancer. The first 3-day event is in November 2011 in London for anyone affected by breast cancer.
Register at http://createalifeyoulove.co.uk/
I am so pleased to tell you that today I had the results of this six monthly ultrasound check up and it’s all GOOD news. Can still see an area on the ultrasound that appeared in last check up but it’s shrunk so they believe (from the mammogram and biopsy of last check) that it’s scar tissue that is now disappearing slowly too.
The consultant even had a suggestion to help with the pains that I still frequently get and that has worried me…. as I know from discussions with others and you will have read about, breast tissue has memories and the thought is that my breast tissue is just recreating the most recent pain when it should probably be just whinging a bit that it’s cold or something! Well the consultant suggested that I rub ibuleve gel on the painful area for a few consecutive days (following instructions depending on strength). She believes that this may numb the nerve endings that have been cut and reduce/stop the pain. I’m going to give it a go and if it works, tell everyone else that has also made comments about having post-op pain that the doctors say isn’t a recurrence! How fab would that be to be finally pain free and tumour free too?
Hehehe Millie and I headed off to Venice for 3 nights escape. How fab is it to be able to hang out in a beautiful city with your friend and just chill… no husband, family, appointments or cancer to get in the way of a blissful, cultural and rich weekend away.
Venice was stunning and down every alleyway a new adventure. We walked and walked and explored and found fantastic little treats throughout.
Oh and our hotel was so gorgeous, comfortable and out of the way that we managed to sleep undisturbed until late – quite a treat for Millie.
Since the New Year I have already achieved a great deal with the organisation of the UK breast cancer event in November 2011. There’s still a long way to go but there have certainly been strides made in the right direction. I also have a diary full of meetings and teleconferences with so many key people, organisations and charities. The biggest aspect for me now is to obtain the charity registration status so that we can claim gift-aid on donations but also so that people (thank you to those who have offered) will be able to host fundraising events and collect the monies via JustGiving and the like. There are also a number of exhibitors and sponsors who will of course need the charity registration number to comply with their internal requirements. I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to be told that we have to raise £5k in order for them to consider the application, thereby proving we can raise funds. It’s also terrifically disheartening to think that it is a small sum but that I can’t afford to donate this myself as it equates to nearly 3 months’ salary from my savings! However I do know the value of what I’m doing and the knowledge that this annual event can go on to help so many people by providing information, support and importantly community is something that I continue to believe in and strive toward. I’ve not spoken to one person who has been touched by cancer that doesn’t commend me in what I’m doing.
So, following a mailshot to family and friends last week, I was really rallied by the response. I have received donations small and large from all around the globe, totalling just over £1,000. Thank you to everyone who has chipped in and also for your encouragement and support – it means a great deal to me to know that you’re backing me and also backing the event. Thank you also to two of you who have set up monthly direct debits to contribute an amount each month – again a really big thank you. If you wish to make a financial donation this can be done online via the PayPal link on www.LivingBeyondDiagnosis.com or send a cheque to me, payable to ‘Living Beyond Diagnosis’.
I also requested in my mailshot some help with some skills and services. I will, for instance, need a printer who is able to produce marketing material for us, and administration help or event management expertise. There are many aspects and I know I can’t do it all, so if there are any willing hands or companies that are able to help with any aspect, I’d truly appreciate it.
Finally, I requested that my mailshot was forwarded to others who may be able to support the event, have access to corporate sponsorship, perhaps speak at the event, take an exhibitor stand etc etc. We are, of course, only 6 steps away from anyone, so perhaps someone you know may know someone else etc. Do talk about the event and direct people to the website for information. Again I know that the event is great.. after all the US conference for young women affected by breast cancer is now in its 11th year and each year they have more people wanting to attend than there are places. I just have to make the first event a success!
OK now for the not so good news. You will remember that I told you about the lovely Trish… she was the first person I found with the same rare cancer and who introduced me to the Facebook group… I remember thinking that I was no longer alone and I think I slept for the first time in ages just knowing that. Trish and I met at the US Conference in February last year and we’re booked up to meet this year in Orlando… I can’t wait. Trish is amazing and encouraging and positive and has always been the first person I’ve told when I have a wobble about finding a new lump or feeling a pain etc. She told me about a lump last week that she had found and today saw the doctor. They’ve found a 2cm tumour. Until it’s removed and tested they won’t know for certain if it’s a recurrence of Phyllodes but given the speed at which it’s grown, it is suspected. I so, hope they’re wrong.
It’s hit me though as we were diagnosed at the same time, both malignant phyllodes and both in the same breast and had the same surgery. Only difference was the malignancy and sadly, I won that prize for highest!
Hey ho, my next scan and check up is in two weeks and then I get to escape on a girls weekend to Venice with the lovely Millie. What a treat.
As we make our way into a new year and a new decade, I figured there should first be some reflection on the year just passed… but that would be the sensible thing to do…
Sensible Bit
2010 was a year of enormous change for me. I was recovering from the operations at the end of 2009, adjusting to the new AD (after diagnosis) me and reevaluating my life and its purpose.
I learn’t such a lot of about myself, my resolve, my strengths and also my weaknesses. I finally unwrapped a number of mental boxes and worked through them – some good, some not so good but all needed to be reopened.
I would give back cancer in the blink of a fly’s eyelid (which is pretty fast!) however because of my diagnosis I have viewed things differently, I’ve pursued different dreams and goals; I’ve met some incredible and inspirational people; I’ve cried, a lot; I’ve treasured laughing more often; I’ve seen people thrive and also seen people die from this disease; I’ve realised and acknowledged the fragility of life; I’ve said ‘I love you’ more often (and meant it); I’ve appreciated the little things; I’ve learn’t not the sweat the small stuff; and a whole heap more.
So, the trouble with a blog is that I stated in ‘ink’ what I was going to do in 2010:
My 2010, in no particular order… I’d like to do more fun stuff. I’d like to travel more. I’d like to catch up with my friends more often and to meet up with those of you I’ve not seen in a while… some of you for a very long time. I’d like to lose weight. I’d like to love. I’d like to have a laugh – a real laugh, a laugh that sneaks up on you and almost makes you pee your pants! I’d like to go to the opera. I’d like to go sit in Berkeley Square. I’d like to learn more and put into practice NLP and coaching techniques. I’d like to see H&B have the best wedding day ever. I’d like to eat some really really good sushi. I’d like to hug and be hugged. I’d like to hang out in some of the old haunts with my friends and dine in style with others. I’d like to prepare some fantabulous meals and share them with my friends. I’d like to always remember that there is no such thing as failure – just that you can learn from all experiences. I’d like to be living in my own house again. I’d like to remember what it’s really all about. I’d like to finally create the art installation I’ve been dreaming of. I’d like to see the NHS system have a code for recording Phyllodes Tumours. I’d like to feel loved. I’d like to take breakfast at The Wolseley, take tea in Sketch, champagne at The Soho House, eat a degustation menu at The Square and closing drinks at Mortons (foodie friends apply here!). I’d like to feel appreciated for the job that I do. I’d like to hear Celeste, Martha, Evie and Naomi call me Auntie Anna (or I’ll accept HAuntie HAnna). I’d like to always remember that life waits for nobody. I’d like to make a difference. I’d like to have less clutter and be more organised. I’d like to put in the application for a bench in Berkeley Square. I’d like to support others the way that they’ve supported me. I’d like to label up all my photos and to file my paperwork. I’d like to put all the vinyl into a digital format and be able to listen to it on my ipod. I’d like to remember those who are no longer with us by recalling funny stories and kind memories. I’d like to jump on a plane and not know where I’m going. I’d like to make someone I don’t know, smile! Most importantly, I’d like to remember how to live again.
So did I do them? Well, probably like most of our New Year resolutions, I did MOST of them (and Phyllodes is in the NHS system!).. there are still a few that I’m going to put back on the list for 2011 though and even a few of them that I’m going to repeat as I loved doing them… so here goes:
I’d always insist on doing more fun stuff, travel, catching up with friends and laughing until I pee myself! Berkeley Square is always on the list… if I could possibly do it, I’d build myself a little glass shelter and live in Berkeley Square listening to the sounds of life around me and watching life go on, whilst reflecting on lives past. My brother is building me a shed and an art shed for the garden – art installation should surely be finished by the end of 2011. I’m off for a drink at the newly refurbished Savoy – I wonder if it still retains it’s old world charm, at all? I must lose weight and get fitter. And the biggest and most challenging of all, I want to stand at the podium and welcome 500 survivors and co-survivors to the first annual event for anyone affected by breast cancer in the UK.
Every day the enormity of the task in hand looms and I wish I wasn’t alone in doing this. I would love help so if you’re able to lend me your expertise for free and because you believe in the event and the value of the event then please do get in touch. I would love anyone who has any experience with hosting events, marketing or PR. We would also appreciate any donations – you can donate onwww.LivingBeyondDiagnosis.com. We would also value some introductions to any corporate or personal sponsors for the event too. The 3-day event for 500 attendees will cost an estimate of £250,000 which is no small feat in the current financial market however this equates to £500 per attendee and I believe will help them face their future, so it’s a small cost in the scheme of things.
Silly Bit – you knew there would be one!
Just before Christmas my boiler decided that luke warm water was the way to go… talk about attention seeking – Ooh I spoke quite firmly to it as facing luke warm bath or intermittent shower wasn’t on the agenda for long! Anway, I eventually called in British Gas – and yes I had cancelled the British Gas heating cover only a few weeks previously in an effort to save money! A delightful young salesman from British Gas eventually turned up (4 days late) to tell me that I needed a new boiler at a mere cost of £2,700… a tad rich when I have no income and hadn’t planned on this outlay! However during this inspection for the quote (I use that term loosely as am sure they just picked a figure out of the air)… I suddenly realised that he’d need to look at each radiator etc so rushed into my bedroom to remove an offending article from my dressing table (now get your minds out of the gutter!!)… I am referring to my silicone half boob that I now wear in place of the tissue removed during the two operations! Those of you who have seen me dressed wouldn’t notice but just call me 1.5 boob Wallace! Or at least I think I moved them (there’s a spare!) but after his visit, I was due to leave the house and therefore out of my surgical bra (much less pain wearing this!) and went in search of a halfboob.. I can’t find either of them anywhere… and believe me I’ve looked. At first, it was distressing and then the more I thought of it, the more it made me giggle.. the thought of Mr British Gas with a fetish for silicon halfboobs.
This led me, as it has for much of my ‘journey’ to Facebook and posting an update on my ‘wall’ which said:
OK everybody.. Try not to laugh… My silicon halfboobs have gone missing! I tidied them away from top of dressing tble when British Gas popped round to give me an outrageous quote for replacing my boiler (still no hot water chez moi) and they needed to measure each room. I wasn’t wearing them as was kitted out in my post-surgery bra… I now can’t find them… anywhere…
Shall I call British Gas & see if the engineer has a halfboob fetish?
I told you not to laugh!!! (hehehehe)
You will be pleased to know that my Facebook friends didn’t let me down… there was quickly a trail of comments including one from my sister-in-law’s account “this is Joe to much inforpanchon” OMG I’d forgotten that my nephew used her Facebook account to play Farmville! When this update came in I was midway through leaving a voicemail message which, as you can imagine, ended up simply being me giggling like a schoolgirl and saying I’d have to call back later. The phone then rang and it was my nephew who said “sorry but I also laughed”!!
Some of the other comments:
And a few days later, I provided this update:
British Gas man must have ‘borrowed’ them. Still ‘no’ sign of them anywhere! New halfboobs ordered!
Or will they appear wrapped up under the tree?
And a few other comments along the way, checking in to see if my halfboobs had been found (and even my nephew calling to ask… oh and then asking his mother what a halfboob actually was!)… You see the lesson I learn’t from posting this, is that although some may find it a little tragic that I wear a silicon halfboob, all can, (perhaps after a sharp intake of breath), find the funny side. I have and I’m so pleased that this gave some a little giggle. You see if I’ve learn’t one big lesson from being diagnosed with cancer, it’s that laughter is terrifically important and sometimes you have to dig deep but you can always find an edge upon which to laugh at any situation – it’s helped me enormously. I’m sorry if this sounds irreverent or offensive to anyone… perhaps it’s just my coping mechanism but… try it.. smile and don’t stress the small stuff.
FYI – New silicon half boobs arrived in the mail this morning!! Whoohoo 2011, all present and correct!
Welcome 2011
I shall end today’s missive with a message to you all.. embrace the New Year and the New Decade with a smile and a care for others. Enjoy every moment and if it’s not a ‘good’ moment, change it – you can!… Happy New Year xxx
Through my journey I’ve met some amazing people. Many inspirational positive individuals who have taken their experiences and turned them into positive actions. One such person is Sharon Fox. Sharon and I met through Breakthrough Breast Cancer – we are both patient advocates. Sharon lives in Tamworth and was diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age, with small children and a busy life. She found that there wasn’t support for her in the local area and that in order to get the support she and her family needed, she would have to travel a fair distance – not possible when you’re very ill and have a family relying on you!
So, about the time when she was able to stand up again, she set out changing this. She put her story online via a BBC documentary. They filmed her highs and lows during and after surgeries and treatments. This raised the profile needed for her to be better known locally. She then set about finding an empty premises and then, the best bit, she put out a help request to the local community to help and support her in setting up a cancer centre in Tamworth! People came from everywhere to offer building works, heating engineers, shop fitters, carpenters, carpets, furniture, fixtures, fittings, gifts, kettles, items to sell and, volunteers. Within an incredibly short amount of time she was able to open the centre… not before she and her children sold their own items to raise extra cash to get it started. Selfless.
I was touched to get a mention.
So tonight I was more than happy to contribute something to her venture. I invited some friends to come with me, Liz, Kath, Zoe and I, dressed up, found masks and attended the Bells at the Belfry ‘Masked Ball’ this evening. What a fabulous evening. The evening started with a champagne reception then through to a stunningly decorated ballroom where the tables were sparkling, the food was excellent, the entertainment during dinner fabulous, a charity auction in which the bidding was ferocious and finally a live band and disco. Brilliant.
We left with a assortment of successfully auctioned goodies and a calendar. Here’s a few pics from the calendar of wonderful ladies who were affected by breast cancer posing for this calendar.
Loved the evening and know that this will have raised lots of cash to ensure the Sharon Fox Cancer Centre will continue for longer.
A wonderful write up on The Redfords website.
Sorry it’s been a while that I updated on me (gosh that sounds selfish!). Firstly let me say that it isn’t because I didn’t want to write or know that I should keep you all informed but more because I’ve been running my little feet off and being busier than a busy thing from busyville… which is pretty busy.
Healthwise – I’m doing OK. No more scans or tests since I last wrote to you (next one is in January) and mostly feeling OK. Am still incredibly tired sometimes and now have some liquid B12 and also sun chlorella tablets, having a) discovered that others diagnosed with phyllodes appear to be given B12 injections to help with fatigue for some time after diagnosis and b) researching and asking questions of people in the know! So, are they working? Yes, I think so, but must remember to take them regularly so effectiveness can really be judged! We’ll see but I know that I can’t cope with the nausea fatigue that I get sometimes and which makes me take to my bed!
Emotionally – Again, I’m doing OK. A few wobbles every now and then thinking about Mum and wondering what she would say to things but also worrying about if the cancer will return. I used to think that it was ridiculous that people after they’ve been ‘cured’ would still worry about it… what I’ve learnt is a) although the surgeons have removed the tumour (so wonderfully) there is still a chance of recurrence, therefore there is never a ‘cure’ but simply a hope; and b) there is rarely a day that I don’t think about it or worry about the pain being more than just a twinge; and c) I now also worry that I’m turning into a hypochondriac – whatever happened to the me that didn’t get ill? So yes, I do have a cry every now and then and yes, I do still worry about it all and yes, I do find myself getting cross with myself that I can’t cope (sometimes).
Physically – Ahem at the risk of saying I’m OK, I’m OK. I still get pain in my chest, sometimes a dull pain, sometimes a burning sensation and sometimes a sharp stabbing. It’s not constant and some days there’s nothing at all. I’m also trying to be good and checking for any new lumps… and there are a few but I don’t really know if I am Miss Lumpy Bumpy (as my consultant calls me) and therefore if this is ‘normal’ or anything to worry about. I did worry about it a few weeks ago but have decided to stop being paranoid pants and monitor the lumpiness with a view to my next check in January anyway. You see I’m not a hypochondriac!
Working – Voluntary. As you know I’m keen that I use my experiences to make a difference for others.. I might not be able to change the world but I can at least tweak it a little bit. I also discovered that the majority of volunteers in the ‘cancer world’ are either retired or work within the health service. This has meant that I’m often the youngest person on the committee/board/group – so hahaha to all those of you who think I’m old! So… drumroll…. my new voluntary roles as part of 1) St George’s Hospital Patient Issues Committee 2) South West London Cancer Network Partnership 3) North West London Cancer Network Partnership 4) Wandsworth LINk 5) Kensington & Chelsea LINk Cancer Sub-Group 6) Patient Reviewer – National Cancer Information Pathways for National Cancer Action Team.
Living Beyond Diagnosis – charity. However the majority of my time is spent achieving a goal – to hold events in London for anyone affected by cancer. The first event I’m in the course of putting together with for anyone affected by breast cancer and will be in London in November 2011 for approximately 500 attendees. I am fully aware of the enormity of the challenge I have set myself and I don’t mind telling you that sometimes I ask myself why! I have no income and am surviving on the remaining money that I received in a critical illness insurance payment which, if I’m careful, will allow me to do this for a year. But you can bet your bottom dollar I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t totally believe in the importance of events like this and know, personally, the difference attending one made to my wellbeing. The event will sit alongside the wonderful services that we receive from the NHS, charities and organisations and I hope complement their work and also allow each of them to showcase what they are doing to the attendee audience.
There are the usual admin frustrations, such as the Charity Commission ‘holding our application’ until such time as we can prove we’ve raised £5,000. Not insurmountable however in order to be credible in the marketplace we need a charity registration number and indeed potential sponsors and exhibitors at the event will need the charity registration to evidence where their money is going! There are also a number of fantastic people who are organising events and runs etc who again need the charity registration number for their efforts. More than a little frustrating and has at low times made me wonder how anyone does it!
However I’m yet to meet a single person (private, medical, business or from a charity) who doesn’t endorse what I am doing and reiterate the need for this charity to be set up and the events to happen.
So there you have it… that’s what I’ve been doing. The website will be live soon but there’s a holding page for now from which you can download the ‘mission statement’ for the first event for breast cancer…. http://www.LivingBeyondDiagnosis.com and we’re putting up a PayPal button so that you can donate… however small it will be hugely appreciated – particularly so we can reach the £5k and get the charity registration through too!
Right-o back to work – although am desperate for a coffee and the roads are one big white snowblock at the moment… problem with living half way up a hill! Hmm posh green tea me thinks!
I was extremely excited to hear about this new initiative – National Cancer Information Pathways. The premise is that there will be an online system that is accessible on the internet and contains information, documents and reference sheets for the entire pathway relating to each cancer. It’s no small job but I know first hand that if I could have accessed a reliable resource that provided me with bitesize pieces of information at different times during my journey, life would have been so much easier. Imagine being able to download information and email it to friends or family that enquire ‘what now’.
The idea is that your Cancer Nurse Specialist spends 10 minutes with each person to find out what what they need to know, set up an account an print out the relevant information that they need at that time. The patient can then go in to their account and look at other additional information when they wish and then to discuss these with the CNS.
How brilliant will this be? So when I was asked if I would consider becoming a Patient Reviewer for this system and National Cancer Action Team (NCAT) (who are coordinating the system), I jumped at the chance.
Today the ‘Patient Reviewers’ met up for an event to understand the nuts and bolts of the system. How it will work. What needs to be done. Understand that each and every document needs to be reviewed by patients to ensure that it is in a format that is easy to understand. Lay people’s language (with medical terms added). Not to much information and not too little. We discussed the quantity of documents that would be needed and attempted to break down a pathway and think of other aspects that we, as patients, may think necessary whereas clinicians may not have thought about it.
The system can be accessed here. (**UPDATE – now here). By entering your cancer type and postcode you will then be presented with the applicable information.
Our jobs as Patient Reviewers is to be on standby (using an online system) to review everything. We will receive an email notification when information needs reviewing to login. Once there, we will comment/change each document (via the system) and upload these for the central administrator to decipher. If the changes are big changes they then need to go back to the author to rewrite/edit. For each document there will be quorum of so many reviewers required so that we can ensure that it has different perspectives review it.
Exciting times and I’m so prepared to get down to work on this.
Since my foray with cancer I have done exactly what many of you would have expected me to… try to really understand more about Phyllodes, to ensure that there is some education on the part of the medics and the NHS, an acknowledgement that although rare, we do exist and also (really unsurprising bit) to put myself forward for posts whereby my voice can be heard and, I hope, make a difference for anyone else entering the world of cancer.
Through the South West London Cancer Network Partnership I was invited to attend the National Rare Cancer Conference today. It doesn’t cease to amaze me that I learn yet more at each event I attend and sadly that I sat amongst people who had been diagnosed with equally rare cancers and the frustrations that this lack of knowledge leads to for a patient.
Some quick facts that I learnt:
In 2007 in the UK approximately 300,000 people were diagnosed with cancer.
In 2007 in the UK approximately 140,000 people were diagnosed with a rare cancer.
Approximately 50 in every 100,000 people are living with a rare cancer in the UK.
Sir Mike Richards (National Director, National Cancer Action Team) was speaking at the event and asked us to consider a few questions:
1/ What is a rare cancer?
2/ What are the outcomes for patients with rarer cancers?
3/ What would you want to see in a Cancer Reform Strategy ‘refresh’?
Ray Murphy (National Cancer Partnership Forum) used this phrase, which I just love and struck a huge great big bell for me… “Add years to life and where we can’t, we should add life to years”.
We also heard from Andrew Wilson, Chief Executive of the Rarer Cancers Foundation and from Simon Davies, Executive Director of Cancer52 (so called because 52% of the UK cancer deaths are from the less common cancers).
We discussed how we could increase awareness to some of the rarer cancers, perhaps therefore ensure that people are referred tested and diagnosed earlier. We discussed an equality of care and how this can be improved. We talked about where we felt tests, diagnosis, treatment and post treatment areas can be improved. The most distinct area that we felt needed improving was communication and sharing of information between medical groups and also with the patient. An informed patient is, mostly, a happier patient and an empowered patient.
We were also told of a wonderful new resource available to doctors and patients. Information pathways for differing cancers. The information is constantly being reviewed and updated however there is already a great deal of information available at NCAT Pathways. You can look and download pertinent information and locate resources and support in your area. I suggest that if you come across a great service in your area you urge them to contact National Cancer Action Trust to be listed. All good resources deserves referral!
Personally I discovered there are many many rare cancers and then there are rarer cancers. It struck me just how rare phyllodes is and how those diagnosed are simply rarer than rare! However no matter how rare a cancer is, there should be a resource, specialist or information available. I’m on it!
Everyone I spoke to about Phyllodes and my experience was shocked that I hadn’t been referred to a sarcoma specialist.. apparently this should be done with any sarcoma diagnosis in order to obtain the best possible care and follow up…. and of course raise awareness that there’s yet another case of Phyllodes out there!
Paula Lloyd, Associate Director of the National Cancer Action Team spoke very well in summary of our discussion feedback but also provided us with an update on progress within the NHS and the Govt for understanding and improvements for those diagnosed with rare or rarer cancers.
My summary of the event was that there were most definately frustrations amongst people diagnosed with different rare cancers. Lack of information, resources and support is paramount. In addition, the lack of ‘joined up writing’ between the medical arms involved – why shouldn’t anyone involved in patient care have access to the information via technology? It’s insane that letters are typed, put in envelopes, stamped and posted to our GPs and that nurses and cancer care specialists don’t have the information at all. This means that everytime a patient meets someone new they have to repeat their story which can be emotional, tiring and perhaps misleading as the patient may not verbalise important facts that perhaps they hadn’t understood or were too much like medical speak.
However all that said, the people attending the conference are amongst the strongest, most inspirational and amazing people. Mostly they don’t have an axe to grind or a whinge to air but simply want to make it all better for anyone else. They have and do live with the most unusual symptoms and pains to live with but the loudest sounds in the room were from laughter and looking around smiles. Amazing.
I was so bushed by the end of the day that I headed off home (using 3 different buses) and it wasn’t until I reached my front door that I remembered I was meeting friends for drinks… quick change and out again!
I’m not sure what I’m feeling today so I thought I’d just create something different… this pretty much sums it all up, my journey so far
Before you all panic that there’s anything wrong, there isn’t. I’m fine. I’m just at an impasse in the journey. I’ve found myself using words like ‘lucky’ ‘fortunate’ ‘grateful’ ‘thankful’ ‘positive’ ‘inspirational’ whilst talking about me and my journey. I am all those things but then WHAM I am reminded that some people on this journey aren’t so lucky, fortunate or grateful.
We can bathe ourselves with pink ribbons, pink events, walk 5 or 10k, make people ‘breast aware’, congratulate the medics on the extended survival rates (however they actually calculate them) but some people aren’t smiling anymore and some are no longer with us or are struggling. Please remember that although the pink ribbon and breast cancer awareness month may be intended to be jolly happy, clappy and upbeat, there are people who aren’t. Simples.
AnnaGoAnna Wallace 