I've experienced a lot of physical and mental pain during my treatment and surgery for breast cancer. That pain pales into insignificance compared to the acute sciatic pain that I'm now experiencing in my left leg and the psychological pain that has come along for the ride. I've just come back from my daily dog … Continue reading The one about pain
Posts
Flower power
How a joyous, yet poignant, visit to RHS Chelsea Flower Show reinforced my love of flowers but came at a time when I was experiencing acute anxiety, two years after being diagnosed and being treated for breast cancer. Two years on On Wednesday I spent the day at Chelsea Flower Show with Liam. Nothing too … Continue reading Flower power
To baldly go
How it felt to lose all of the hair on my head and body as a result of chemotherapy to treat breast cancer, following my mastectomy. Two years ago my hair began to fall out. I had a great summer lined up in 2016 - Chelsea Flower Show, Wimbledon tennis, both of my children's graduations, … Continue reading To baldly go
Musings on fake boobs and nipples
Following my breast cancer diagnosis and mastectomy so many thoughts were whirling around my head. One that kept recurring was, when and whether to be fitted for a replacement breast or prosthesis. Prosthesis or flat chest? - that was the question. There were other questions like what size, what colour, what shape, what weight, what … Continue reading Musings on fake boobs and nipples
Sunshine, food and medicine
“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” Luther Burbank, Botanist & Horticulturalist 1849-1926 Breast cancer and mastectomy are big parts of this blog, but I also want to write more about flowers and seeds and all things horticultural. It’s these little beauties that are … Continue reading Sunshine, food and medicine
Happy Anniversary?
How the anniversary of my mastectomy following breast cancer, reminds me that sadness and anxiety are unexpectedly close to the surface. I’ve always thought of myself as a glass half empty person and I’ve experienced anxiety and depression over many years. I’ve also been very good at catastrophic thinking. I mean, why wouldn’t I have … Continue reading Happy Anniversary?
The one about the seeds – and growth
How a love of flowers and sowing seeds provide a metaphor for recovery from breast cancer and mastectomy. Seed n. – definition: the unit of reproduction of a flowering plant, capable of developing into another such plant. Seed n. – definition: the cause or latent beginning of a feeling, process, or condition Where to begin about my … Continue reading The one about the seeds – and growth
Celebrating my women
Throughout my breast cancer experience I have been loved and supported by amazing women. Written on International Women's Day 2018, this is a shout out to them. Since I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago I’ve been surrounded by amazing inspirational women. Some of them I know very well, and indeed am related … Continue reading Celebrating my women
To screen or not to screen
I encourage women to attend their breast cancer mammogram appointments. My screening detected my tumour and very likely saved my life. Research has been published today by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Breast Cancer (APPGBC) in their report entitled "A Mixed Picture: An Enquiry into Geographical Inequalities and Breast Cancer". Compiled by Breast Cancer Now, the … Continue reading To screen or not to screen
Chelsea Flower Show…. at home
Chemotherapy, due to breast cancer meant that I missed a visit to Chelsea Flower Show. But I was inspired to start growing my own flowers. Find out how by reading on. I've always loved cut flowers, and usually have a vaseful somewhere in my house. Flowers are one of the luxuries that I have always … Continue reading Chelsea Flower Show…. at home
