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.
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.
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.
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.
"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?
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.
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.
July 27th 2018- Day One Post-Chemotherapy: One thing that people I know irl ask me is why I chose to share my experience, why I wrote such an honest account and whether it helped me. The main reason or goal from day one of writing the Chemo Diary was to empower and educate people about … Continue reading Chemo Diary: Epilogue.
**All words in bold have a link or a definition to explain and give more information at the end of each day** June 30th-July 1st: Days 15-16- Before my last chemo, I met up with Elina and Chloe for a meal where we decided to have an adventure. Sadly, Chloe had already booked her holiday so … Continue reading Chemo Diary- Cycle Six, Week Three.
**All words in bold have a link or a definition to explain and give more information at the end of each day** June 22nd 2018: Day Seven- Feeling crappy. Another day in bed was needed so nothing to report. Shout-out to Dan And Phil Games for providing me with entertaining content during my bedbound days. Those … Continue reading Chemo Diary- Cycle Six, Week Two.
delightfully depressing. 