Chemoversary #4

I can hardly believe that today is my 4 year chemoversary! I am definitely "moving on" as it feels like a horrible distant nightmare rather than thinking about it every single moment of every single day.

Given that it's October and Breast Cancer Awareness month (though who isn't aware of breast cancer god only knows....) it's an ideal time to remind you all to do your monthly checks. Young, old, male, female, we can all (unfortunately) get breast cancer.

If you're not sure what you're looking for, there's a handy checklist from the NHS at the following link: Click Me

#FourCandles

It's so bizarre that I am now blowing out 4 cancerversary candles, the time really has gone so fast.

This time 4 years ago I was given the worst news of my life, as I blow out my 4 candles today (actually I cheated and blew them out on Sunday as today I'm having an absolute blast wandering around German vineyards!) I reflect on how fortunate I am.

Here's to loads more candles 😊

P.S. It's impossible to write four candles without thinking of this cracker of a sketch.... 

Check Up

Today I had my annual appointment with medical oncology at Redhill. Even though I've been feeling well and I give myself some TLC (Touch, Look, Check) at least once a week, there is just something about the familiar drive to the hospital and the familiar walk to the outpatient's department that makes me feel sick. 

The rational part of me knows that I haven't felt any lumps and that should give me security but all rational thought really goes out the window. Especially with Rob being so poorly lately - don't ask... 2x hospitalisations for diverticulitis and associated complications - one hospital stay was 10 days long :( , my emotions have been tested like never before.

We were waiting in a stuffy, non air-conditioned room for over an hour and a half. The note on the board said they were running 25 minutes late, no-one bothered to come and explain or even acknowledge the people waiting. Really poor show as people's emotions just become more heightened and fraught. 

I was eventually called through and was seen by my oncologist's registrar. She asked how I'd been feeling and told me that in a few years once I've done 5 years on tamoxifen we can try for kids (yippee - 3 years down already)! She then gave my boobs, armpits, collar bone and back a feel and told me everything felt okay and that she'd see me in a years' time. 

Hooray, some good news after the stress of the past month 😊

Ellie's Friends

The Eleanor Rose Foundation is an amazing charity whose motto is "Making the big C smaller". They offer freebies and discounts for adults living with and recovering from cancer. It was set up in memory of Ellie Jeffrey who died from secondary breast cancer at the young age of 29.

I have been applying for some of their freebies for about a year now and last week I was delighted to receive an email that I had won a Heat Magazine Beauty Giveaway worth almost £300!!!

In my beauty bundle was:

- Masque Bar Brightening Sheet Mask

- The Body Shop Drops of Youth

- The Body Shop Drops of Light Day Cream

- Scottish Fine Soaps Co Tangled Rose Body Butter

- Nails Inc Nail Polish in Portobello Terrace

- Nails Inc Nail Polish in Chelsea Grove

- Nails Inc Nail Polish in Charlotte Villas

- OPI Nail Polish in Humidi-Tea

- L'Oréal Paris Nail Polish in Greige Amoureux

- Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Lipliner in Rock Steady

- Barry M Matte Me Up Lip Crayon

- Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Bronzer

- Bourgeois Rouge Velvet Lipstick Wand in Beau Brun

- Max Factor Lipstick in Marilyn Sunset Red

- Kiko Milano Multicolor Blush

- HD Browtec Eyebrow Pencil

- The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Oil

- Mïnk & Co False Eyelashes

- Feel Unique Eye Brush Capsule Collection

Thank you so much Ellie's Friends and Heat, I feel very lucky!

#LookAtMeNow

Happy 2016 - Chemo 3 Years On!