Yesterday I was told I almost definitely have breast cancer. I have a ‘large mass’ in my left breast apparently. I am annoyed with myself that I left this for a couple of months, stupidly thinking because I had recently had a mammogram it wasn’t important
Read MoreThe Chuffin' c word
My journal
Keeping a journal is beneficial in many ways. It gets the tumbling thoughts out of your head and organised onto paper. It’s therapeutic – a holiday for your brain and emotions. It helps you to recognise and face your feelings instead of suppressing them. It can reduce anxiety. It can calm your nervous system, It can be useful to help you make sense of the situation. It’s also a good reminder later on of how far you have come. Re-reading this made me very emotional but also helped me reflect in a positive way the journey I have been on.
Day 2: The ripples spread
I slept well. Something to be grateful for. Yesterday started badly. I got up and tried hard. I went to the gym, walked the dog. Met my friend Max for the walk and told her
Read MoreDay 2: Gym Gains, Canine Companions, and Nostalgic Tears
Strange day today. Managed to go to the gym and do a class which actually lifted my spirits. Then a dog walk, then a snooze. Had my MRI scan….it was fine.
Read MoreDay 3: Think, Meditate, Reflect and Plan
My mind is working overtime. I have found a lot of content on insight timer for cancer. I am going to try and practice meditation a lot. I believe in a positive mindset being important but I am still terrified.
Read MoreDay 4: It’s all about HOW you respond
I am in Leeds at Niamh’s house. Yesterday morning I decided when I was in the gym that I am going to beat the big C!! My mindset needs to remain positive. I went to the gym, packed my stuff up and drove to Leeds.
Read MoreDay 5: Roll with it
I am going to need to learn to take things as they come. That just because one day they say ‘this’ it’s not set in stone and can change at any point during treatment as they learn more. I need to not take everything they say as ‘gospel’.
Read MoreDay 6: Home is not just a place, it’s a feeling
I am home and I love home. Being able to control some of what is happening is a huge comfort to me
Read MoreDay 7: Guesswork
I have realised that my anxiety is at it’s worst before bed and first thing in the morning. Despite this I am proud of the way I have handled this last week
Read MoreDay 7: Guesswork (Part 2)
My day of guesswork continued and I kept myself busy as a distraction from the impending diagnosis
Read MoreDay 8: D Day
So today is D day! I am praying those biopsies are back. The thought of waiting longer again is not a good one. I must remember to ring radiology for a CT scan cancellation.
Read MoreDay 9: It’s Lobular
Yesterday I found out I have Lobular Breast Cancer. It’s Oestrogen and Progesterone fed which is a good thing (apparently). I was upset for a few seconds but fine after that
Read MoreDay 10: Reasons to live
Despite the circumstances, yesterday was a good day on the whole. Sunny too, which helped.
Read MoreDay 11: Rollercoaster
Yesterday was up and down. I started the day in tears….not good.
Read MoreDay 12: Dropped another bombshell
Made a Sunday dinner for me, Ali, Mum and Dad. Told them about the cancer. Very difficult, Had to get Ali to start the conversation. Couldn’t bring myself to actually say the words.
Read MoreDay 13: Unplugged
Woke up at 4am!!! FFS!! Did 2 meditations couldn’t get back to sleep, will nap later.
Read MoreDay 14: Meltdown and a bunch of horrible cells
I have decided that it’s better to talk about it than hide from it. That word ‘cancer’ strikes fear into everyone and really it’s just a bunch of horrible cells.
Read MoreDay 15: Best wishes
I am going to try and get something positive out of all this. Thinking along the lines of a cancer coach at the moment. Very unsure about chemo but I will do more research.
Read MoreDay 16: Research and disgusting hair
Went to my hospital appointment for reconstruction advice. Came out feeling crap
Read MoreDay 17: Chakras and sheep
Yesterday was a good day after it started badly! Tried oat milk in my coffee followed by green tea…thought I was going to be sick!!!!
Read MoreDay 18: Medicine for the soul
I am sitting looking out the window at all the wildlife and a blue sky! Yesterday was good. Went to Alnmouth Beach
Read MoreDay 19: A burst of energy
Starting to feel more like myself for the first time since this all started. Wonderful! Actually have a bit of energy back
Read MoreDay 21: This cancer is so time consuming!
Day 21: This cancer is so time consuming!
Read MoreDay 22: Procrastination
Day 22: I keep procrastinating!! (I wonder why!) I am a work in progress!
Read MoreDay 23: Language barriers and large tumours
Plastic surgeon was Spanish and I struggled to understand her. She wore a mask, I couldn’t lip read. They say I have a very large tumour.
Read MoreDay 24: Weight loss and disgusting hair again
Feeling very tired again a lot of the time. Also lost a lot of weight. Must wash hair - a week since I washed it!!
Read MoreDay 25: Another meltdown and a Latte
Had a meltdown yesterday. Went to the gym and managed 25 mins then started to cry
Read MoreDay 26: AAAHHHHHH
I have worked so hard this past couple of years to get my 6 pillars up and maintain them. All that is going out the window
Read MoreDay 27: Starving the parasite
It’s a parasite. Trying to starve it of what it needs! Need a name for my tumour???? Miss Lightburn?? (Stern headmistress at school!)
Read MoreDay 28: Podcast and cancer cures
Watched a lot on YouTube about Chris cures cancer. Recorded a podcast about cancer yesterday
Read MoreDay 29: Plastic surgeons and chocolate cake
Mum made me a chocolate cake, bless her. Have an appointment at hospital with the plastic surgeon
Read MoreDay 30: Making uninformed decisions
I have a lot on my mind. I keep thinking, 'have I done the right thing re my breast and no reconstruction?'
Read MoreDay 31: Coronation and trampolining
Just seen King Chaz be crowned! Later I went on a trampoline …. actually that made me feel a bit sick. LOL!
Read MoreDay 32: The face of cancer, Chinese food, and Maverick
Thought I looked good last night!? Keep wanting to say ‘This is the face of cancer’ as in … you just can’t tell … from looking at me on the surface.
Read MoreDay 33: No sleep again
When I started this I was waking with high anxiety & worry. Now I wake up tired but OK. At night however I am exhausted but my mind is busy!
Read MoreDay 34: No sleep again
Terrible sleep again … it's really getting me down now. A lot to do today and not sure how on absolutely no sleep!!!!
Read MoreDay 35: Bloody False Alarm
Hospital rang me at 0730am to say that op moving to today. Rearranged everything all work etc then they rang at 4pm to say it’s Friday again.
Read MoreDay 36: Painful breast … one more day!
Left breast is actually becoming painful now so looking forward to surgery and ridding myself of this tumour.
Read MoreDay 37: D Day!
Well it’s the day of my op and I feel like I have hardly slept!! Leave here at 06:30 so not long to go - might as well stay up.
Read MoreDay 41: HUGE RELIEF
Well op all done and a few days have passed. Friday (day of the op) went well.
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