Reflections of 2012
Well reflections of 2012...what I can I say? 27 doses of chemotherapy, a bald head, countless needles, tests, scans, hospital admissions...every part of my body poked and prodded to keep me here...and IT WORKED thank God! :D
I wont lie, it ...has been a tough year...my lowest point was when the first chemo I tried didn't work :( ....the cancer very quickly became resistant to this "chemo of choice" and things were looking grim. I was told to get my "affairs in order" as I may be in "deep trouble". The cancer spread quickly and widely from my lungs to my bones, totally surprising my treatment team and shocking me and my family. My treatment was the subject of multiple case conferences as my medical team quickly worked out what the next step for me would be... I was referred to the Palliative Care service "just in case".
So in came a new chemo for me...I call him Mr V! No-one knew whether this chemo would work, but thankfully, Mr V saved my life...at least for now anyway ?
This year, Mr V allowed me to continue to be a mum...to see my daughter get braces, start and complete her first year in high school, cuddle her and support her. He has let me be around while my baby sister celebrated her 40th birthday in Bankok, and even allowed me to buy a lovely new black car! Mr V encouraged me to officially adopt Ranga, a lovable orange tabby cat who was abandoned by his owners 3 doors up, and had been homeless and eating out of bins for a long time. He also let me help out a Cat Rescue and Adoption Service by assisting my sister to foster 3 beautiful kittens who had been living in a letterbox. Mr V enabled me to follow my dream which was to continue going to uni in 2012, albeit on a very part-time basis. He also allowed me to spend quality time with family, friends and my furbabies...the greatest gift that is never taken for granted. Mr V has allowed me to take walks along the beach, go shopping and meet and make friends at the Adelaide Breast Cancer Friendship Group, a group I set up to support women with breast cancer. In summary, Mr V has enabled me to wake up every morning in 2012, and for that I am truly grateful.
As for 2013...who knows what it has in store for me? I don't know for sure, but what I do know is that each day for me is a gift, and I try to smile more, laugh more and when I hug those I love, I hang on just a little bit tighter ?
I wont lie, it ...has been a tough year...my lowest point was when the first chemo I tried didn't work :( ....the cancer very quickly became resistant to this "chemo of choice" and things were looking grim. I was told to get my "affairs in order" as I may be in "deep trouble". The cancer spread quickly and widely from my lungs to my bones, totally surprising my treatment team and shocking me and my family. My treatment was the subject of multiple case conferences as my medical team quickly worked out what the next step for me would be... I was referred to the Palliative Care service "just in case".
So in came a new chemo for me...I call him Mr V! No-one knew whether this chemo would work, but thankfully, Mr V saved my life...at least for now anyway ?
This year, Mr V allowed me to continue to be a mum...to see my daughter get braces, start and complete her first year in high school, cuddle her and support her. He has let me be around while my baby sister celebrated her 40th birthday in Bankok, and even allowed me to buy a lovely new black car! Mr V encouraged me to officially adopt Ranga, a lovable orange tabby cat who was abandoned by his owners 3 doors up, and had been homeless and eating out of bins for a long time. He also let me help out a Cat Rescue and Adoption Service by assisting my sister to foster 3 beautiful kittens who had been living in a letterbox. Mr V enabled me to follow my dream which was to continue going to uni in 2012, albeit on a very part-time basis. He also allowed me to spend quality time with family, friends and my furbabies...the greatest gift that is never taken for granted. Mr V has allowed me to take walks along the beach, go shopping and meet and make friends at the Adelaide Breast Cancer Friendship Group, a group I set up to support women with breast cancer. In summary, Mr V has enabled me to wake up every morning in 2012, and for that I am truly grateful.
As for 2013...who knows what it has in store for me? I don't know for sure, but what I do know is that each day for me is a gift, and I try to smile more, laugh more and when I hug those I love, I hang on just a little bit tighter ?
Happy New Year my fellow pink warriors!...May this new year bring you much healing, good health and happiness! xx
