See what I did there? Well, I think I’m hilarious at least! If you’ve been here since chemotherapy (thanks, babes!), you’ll know there is no love lost between me and the hormone therapy that shut down my ovaries and blocked my aromatase. Oestrogen? Oh, we don’t know her! Things haven’t been fun since she left … Continue reading EM-menopause.
Category: Young cancer
A Scary Scare Story.
Don’t know if you can feel it but I found a small lump in my boob.” I had a scare. A real, proper, “oh god it’s back" scare. Disclaimer! It wasn’t cancer but the fear was real and with every next step closer to possible relapse I took, the stronger the fear became. I started … Continue reading A Scary Scare Story.
Werq, Werk, Work.
After cancer forced me into unemployment, I’ve rejoined the workforce. That’s right! Back to paying taxes & choosing between an extra half hour in bed or putting on some slap. You might be aware that before all the cancer malarkey, I was working as a full-time primary school teacher (and if not, I’m assuming you’re … Continue reading Werq, Werk, Work.
I Will Never Be Always Okay.
Welcome to World Mental Health Day 2019. A day I’ve watched grow every year feeling pride in how far we’ve come, while very aware of the huge gaps that still exist. Having a mental health condition makes life more challenging, like your constantly walking around with weights in your coat pockets making everything heavier or … Continue reading I Will Never Be Always Okay.
WTF is Life After Cancer Anyway?
"We got it all, Emma. You have no evidence of disease." And with that my active treatment was finished. Smiles from ear to ear all around. Auntie Gen and I exchanged thank-yous and well-wishes with my surgical team, we left, everyone got on with their lives and we all lived happily ever after. The End. … Continue reading WTF is Life After Cancer Anyway?
Surgery- Part Two.
No one told me about how surgery affects your mentality. Before the big day, we discussed pain, scarring, lymphoedema. Covered every base when it came to the physical. Even my pre-operative appointment with oncology-psychologist, which is mandatory at my hospital before any mastectomy surgery, was focused on my feelings towards my chest’s changing appearance. I … Continue reading Surgery- Part Two.
Malignant Education.
“If you smoke, you’ll get lung cancer…and die.” That was the length and breadth of my cancer education during my time in secondary school. First-rate learning at the local comprehensive! Even though I was taught about one cause of lung cancer, I had no idea of the signs of it, nor could I have listed … Continue reading Malignant Education.
All Boobs Welcome?
Dear TU Clothing, You clearly tried and hit a lot of markers with this campaign. I see a lot of different ages, skin colours and body shapes which is incredible so well done for that. We need to improve inclusivity in the media across the board. However, it seems you may have forgotten the whole … Continue reading All Boobs Welcome?
One Year Later.
A year ago today at 1:20pm, my life was forever changed (again) by four words: “I’m sorry, it’s cancer.” The difference this time was that it was me being given the news. I replied, “What're we gonna do about that?” Quite a strange reply. I laugh at how smart arse and nonchalant I responded. Cancer? … Continue reading One Year Later.
Surgery- Part One.
Life had been going by quite peacefully during the time between my last chemotherapy cycle and operation. My side effects were reducing every day, preparations for surgery were going well and we’d already made a post-recovery treatment plan. Even my surgical anxieties were a thing of the past, with the exception of what to pack … Continue reading Surgery- Part One.