Radiotherapy week one...

Hello to all my new friends. I now have a really great following abroad so here I am attempting to say hello in some other languages…

I have had so many lovely comments and messages from you all recently and I just want to say a big fat thank you. It’s really nice to hear from people that read and enjoy my blog and it always makes my smile bigger (if that is even possible). It is also amazing that this little old blog has managed to reach so many people. The thing that really makes all of this rubbishness worth while is hearing from people and learning that they have gained something from the blog.

I have now completed my first week of radiotherapy and so far so good. I am yet to have any side effects. Apparently this is normal and it will take a couple of weeks before the side effects present themselves. Of course I am hoping that I will be the lucky patient that gets away relatively side effect free but I guess I will just have to wait and see what happens. The main pain is having to spend two hours travelling each day but it is a small price to pay to zap any naughty cells that may still be left behind.

I had to laugh at the fact I get my very own hospital gown to keep for the next five weeks. As I am sure you can imagine it is very sexy. My new best friend is aqueous cream which I apply twice a day to try and keep my skin behaving throughout treatment. Luckily the hospital provides me with the stuff so I should have plenty.

As well as spending a lot of time travelling too and from the hospital everyday I have been a busy lady doing other things. I have made two radio and one television appearance which is really great for helping me to raise awareness that younger women are at risk of breast cancer too. 

Don’t forget to check out my friends over at Coppafeel! too, they do some REALLY great work.

My hair is finally getting its grow on! I managed to properly (well kind of) part it today. Check it out..

What sort of things have I been wearing?

BOOK talk has been taking up a lot of my time recently which has been really exciting. I am crossing all my fingers and toes and sometimes even my eyes hoping that something will materialise from all of this. What do you all think, would you be interested in reading my book? Let me know your thoughts, either email me or leave me a comment. I would love to hear what you think. 

That's all from me for now folks. Have a great weekend.

Love you long time. X

Hair, presents and a very BIG little secret...

Over the last few days, in between practicing my ever improving Dappy impression and trying to convince Snoop Doggy Rob that pigs really can fly because my new necklace says so, I've been hoping, praying and willing my little hair follicles to hold on tight. You see, I have some very exciting news (the very BIG little secret *shhh don't say it was me that told you). I am to be filmed next week. Now, I really don't want to begin my (probably short lived but nevertheless highly important) television career as a baldy. The film crew (ha I sound so important *cue smug smile) are due to arrive on Monday. That gives me 4 days to try and ensure as many of my hairs stay put as possible. However, a matter of hours ago quite a few of the little rascals started their bid to escape from the toxic nasties. Alas, I'm beginning to think that they may not make it to Monday. After Monday passes by, I couldn't care less if every single one of my hairs decides to up and leave in protest to the toxic nasties all at once. Just 4 days that's all I'm asking!

I've agreed to take part in a BBC3 documentary that is aiming to raise awareness of breast cancer (BC) in women aged 13-30. Yes that's right you just read age 13.  It wasn't a typo. We do live in a cruel world sometimes *sigh. 

Anyway, it's not easy for me to tell my story to anyone, let alone be quizzed in front of a camera and so initially I was reluctant to take part. It didn't take long for me to realise I was being ridiculous. I only found Kenneth because of something I saw on a TV programme. If by taking myself out of my comfort zone I prompt someone else to check themselves and they too find a naughty lump earlier than if they hadn't seen my ugly mutt on the box, then it will all have been worth it. Even if I am bald in my television debut! And if I can help/touch even one life of someone with BC I would be on the television every day. I would be singing and shouting from rooftops and I would probably also be causing a rise in the number of patient's arriving at GP surgeries with hearing complaints! However, if I am lucky enough that my story inspires others to jump on the band wagon and start preaching about the importance of knowing your boobs, then WOW I really will have achieved something special. Don't worry I won't subject you all to my singing just yet, but be warned if I have to I WILL!!!! Needs must and all that. 

In other news I have received some AMAZINGGG gifts recently that need a mention...

1) some 'let's kick Kenneth's ass' shoes.

Thank you please, these shoes nearly made me weep with joy!

The person who gave me these shoes also let me hang out with their pretty cool baby...

2) a massive box full of Hotel Chocolat goodies.

Now I know I was banging on about being all healthy on you last post and I still really am plugging the whole healthy lifestyle vibe BUT there has got to be something said about the healing power of chocolate. Especially REALLY good chocolate! 

3) an envelope full of family photos. 

The one of Snoop Doggy Rob carving the Chrimbo turkey is a classic! 

4) people's time.

No amount of money is going to buy me the feeling I have when I read a handwritten letter of support from a friend/member of family who has taken time out of their day to write to me. Or the smile I have when someone actively and publicly embarrasses themselves by openly posting a humiliating photo on Facebook all in a bid to get me to laugh. Or the comfort I feel when someone decides to give up part of their day to have a cup of tea with me and check that I'm alright, or even accompany me on a walk. These people know who they are and each of these acts of kindness are in their own unique way gifts to me. And so I just wanted to say thank you. (But please keep the presents coming too...I LOVE them ALOT and they also do wonders to cheer a girl up. I could really do with some diamonds, maybe a designer handbag and I wouldn't say no to more shoes! *cough cough  hint hint splulutter) 

The positive reaction I have had in response to my blog has quite literally astounded me. You are all lovely and wonderful people. It is so important to me raise awareness of breast cancer in younger women. We CAN and DO get the naughty disease too. In fact unfortunately we often get it worse. Our cancer feeds off our hormones and is usually more aggressive and because we don't look for it and doctors don't take us seriously, because they don't expect to find it, it is often found in the more progressed stages. What I am trying to say is please share my story. Tell your friends/daughters/granddaughters, because maybe together, we can save a life.

To finish, here are some photos from a really great walk I went on this week (notice the bobble hat)...

Love you long time. X