Life's ups and downs

So much has happened since I last wrote.  Some good, some bad. 

Let's start with the good.

I had my first annual mammogram on Monday at 3.30pm with an appointment at 9.15am on Tuesday to get the results.  Those were honestly the longest 18 hours of my life.  Barely slept, felt sick most of the time and really sweated it.  Thankfully, it was clear.  A small but significant victory.

The other good news is that Dad continues to improve - in health, if not humour - and is proving to be the (not so) perfect patient.  To anyone in a white coat/uniform, he is VERY respectful, listens to all their instructions and follows them.  To anyone else he is grumpy, more informed and makes up his own rules.  Wouldn't have him any other way.  Although, as the master of some of the worst puns in history I would like him to laugh just once at one of mine.  Once would do it.  Just once.  After all, I learnt nearly all of them from him.

One thing I have realised since my last post which was allegedly on the anniversary of my operation is that I am a first class numpty.  I had the date wrong!!!  Obviously can't have been THAT important if I got it so wrong...

The bad news, which most of you will already know is that my friend, supporter, fellow warrior and generally superb person Becky lost her battle with breast cancer two weeks ago.  Coming to terms with the loss of someone so young from a disease that I have also battled with is difficult.  This is compacted by the apparent speed with which it claimed her.  I have just looked through my text messages from her and found that we last chatted at the beginning of March.  This sounds like a long gap but we both knew the other one was there. Looking back, I had some idea things were not going brilliantly for her.  She was very quiet and did not acknowledge a couple of cards I sent her - most unlike her.  I did not expect recognition for them, she was just always so concientious  I had also noticed that every time I drove past her road, her parent's car was parked outside her house.  Becky handled her approaching death with the same dignity, lack of self pity and massive strength that she showed throughout her fight. 

Becky was only 31 when she died.  She was diagnosed before her 30th birthday.  You are never too young for Breast Cancer.  Just know your own body and react FAST if something changes or seems wrong. 



Dedicated to Becky, Nathan and Neve xxx