Living flat and recovery after breast cancer
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
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
“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
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?
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
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
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
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
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2016. This post describes my treatment, including two mastectomies, and how I decided not to have reconstruction after mastectomy but to live flat. Cancerversaries come thick and fast for me at this time of year. I haven’t written much publicly about my breast cancer, but I feel … Continue reading Two years & two breasts later…
