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Stage 3 BS Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor
Mum
Supporting those affected by cancer
Therapeutic cancer blogger/poet
#squareuptolymphoma #cancer #lymphoma

This time last year i escsped this day with the pr

This time last year i escsped this day with the promise of sun and fun with my little family and sister in NZ.

No escape options on the table today.

3 years since recieved a call just after 9am asking me if i knew i had a haematology apppintment this morming

3 years since we left our little man to see santa without us for first time to drive back to our local hospital

3 years since that phone call meant i knew i had lymphoma

3 years ago when big life curve ball got thrown in.

Not gunna lie. I hate this day, i hate the reminders of it all. It also doesnt fell like that long ago.

#cancerversaries #cancer #lifeaftercancer #diagnosisday #bloodcancer #hodgkinslymphoma

This is my lockdown part three sorted 😳....appa

This is my lockdown part three sorted 😳....apparently othe half didnt realise just how many peices and how big a 3000 puzzle is 😂

Having been told to shield again (im planning to check this need with haem-onc in new year when return from xmas) this at least gives me something to keep me entertained.

Will I manage to complete before allowed back out through...thats the question?

Guesses on how long its going to take me warmly recieved 😂

#impossiblepuzzles #christmaspresent #keepmeoutoftrouble #shielding #tier4 #3000puzzle #lifeaftercancer #bloodcancer #remissionlife

Who am i?!?!?! Christmas day....got given an ama

Who am i?!?!?!

Christmas day....got given an amazing #garminforerunner for xmas and i was so excited that just playing with it in the living room wasnt enough.

Had to go for a little run....on xmas day!! Never in all my years have i ever contemplated a run on xmas day!!

Getting me to go for a walk has been a chore most years!!

But this year between turkey bastes I did to give it a little try and i LOVE it. Need to learn how to use all different features but combined with my lovely new headband and a fancy wearable light so people can see me running, maybe i can start to get my winter running stride.....10km is my next big target to hit 🤞

@garminuk #garminrunning #garmin #christmaspresent #run #runningmum #runningaftercancer #runformentalwellbeing #runforanxiety #lifeaftercancer #christmas #christmasrun

3 years ago today the sun started to set on the ol

3 years ago today the sun started to set on the old me....dramatic sounding I know but also large parts of the old me have gone and I am for ever changed as consequence of cancer. I am sure many of you can relate.

I can still vividly remember; the phone call from respiratory clinic asking me to come in a day earlier, the drive with my 21month old unsure of what about to happen, the corridor, the consulting room, where the chairs were placed, my consultants face and the way he turned away from his computer to ask me if i had any idea why there and the tear that rolled down my check when he told me he thought i had lymphoma. The memories are so clear like it was yesterday but the subsequent xmas celebrations i remember very little off!

Then a long wait in the waiting area for the radiologist, who was fitting me in before xmas to do ultrasound guided needle biopsy. My little man being distracted with digestive biscuits by the nurses while he stuck the needle in and i did everything in my power not to let out a sound or scare little dude.

3 years seems such a long time, but it also seems so fresh still. ❤

#lifeaftercancer #cancerdiagnosis #cancermemories #cancer #hodgkinslymphoma #bloodcancer #remission

First ever attempt at a gingerbread house....altho

First ever attempt at a gingerbread house....although this one is a gingerbread stable for the xmas donkey and sheep.

The hearts represent all the love ❤😂

Its pretty rough and ready but its still standing.....for now!!

Surely this is the go to lockdown version 2 baking instead of banana bread...no??

#tier4 #lockdownbaking #gingerbreadhouse #gingerbreadstable #haribo #firstattempt #homemade #notemplate #love #nomorebananabread

So we may not be able to do the usual christmas tr

So we may not be able to do the usual christmas traditions in the usual way. But this evening we tried to bring one about in a slightly different way.

Last year we took litlle man to christmas market where family live and had a bratwurst and he loved it. Not possible to do this year but he asked for a christmas party today and selected the food; currywurst hot dog, veg, mince pies and hot chocolate and marshmellows. Topped off with some you tube light shows streamed to the tv 😂

#bringingtraditionsindifferentway #christmastraditions #christmaslights #lockdownchristmas #makingbest #christmas

Sorry been so quiet recently, life is rather busy

Sorry been so quiet recently, life is rather busy even though in lockdown with getting stuck into new job.

We are also finally putting are house on the market, something been talking and wanting to do for couple years but never quite been right time. Well its happening so this week is getting those jobs we never quite completed done so looks as nice as possible for pics being taken next week.

It also feels good to be able to get stuck in and help and not just make lists for the other half to do 😂 although my sore hands now are wishing i just made the list 😂😂

#homeDIY #DIY #movinghouse #timeforachange #icandoit

🎅 its starting to look a lot like christmas B

🎅 its starting to look a lot like christmas

Busy day today getting all prepped for antics to come this month and setting up a few suprises for the little mans return from school (like xmas bedding).

Its always a slightly tricky time these days as my diagnoses happened over the week of xmas so naturally that memory is always there but i really want to try and push that aside for this year and make the a great xmas for my little family despite the pandemic situation.

Me and him have lots of presents to make, lots of home based activities to do and its great being able to tell him that the elves are keeping an eye on him to make sure stay on the nice list....got to love christmas as a behavaiour modification tool 😂😂😂

First time back at hospital for a while. Just fo

First time back at hospital for a while.

Just for some blood tests before review appointment with haemonc next week.

I haven't missed having to walk these corridors and the anxiety a little blood test can cause.

To think few years ago my life really orientated around these places for positive reasons, it was my place of work, my place to help/learn, excel and just be.

Its definiely not that for me anymore but maybe one day we can back to that 🤞

#lifeaftercancer #hospitalvisits #followup #cancersurvivor #postcancerlife #hospitallife

#lestweforget #remberancesunday

#lestweforget
#remberancesunday

My pumpkin for work Anatomy and Physiology Pumpkin

My pumpkin for work Anatomy and Physiology Pumpkin competition 😂

Only taken about 3 hours 😂😂

#anatomy #thebrain #pumpkin #basalganglia #thalamus

"Somewhere over the rainbow......" As we left to

"Somewhere over the rainbow......"

As we left to go out this morning the little man said "I hope we see a rainbow today" and the earth obliged ❤

#rainbow #wishescometrue #earthlove

Well the words drowned rat comes to mind!! Frida

Well the words drowned rat comes to mind!!

Fridays are my day for me while the little man is at school and I dont work today (or not meant to).

I am trying to make sure on the 2 days in week I am not meant to work that I take time for me. The best way for me to consistently do that is to go for a run. Whether its a short one or a long one like todays.

Its a pattern of behaviour that I am trying to maintain and embed as a permanent change to ensure that I am able to maintain positive mental wellbeing and an ability to juggle magnitude of demands on my time and my mind.

4 weeks in and Ive stuck to it, although some days have been hard both to motivate myself and when actually running. You cant help but then worry abit about why that is and what that means but I am trying to keep that mind devil under check.

Today was a better run then the last few weeks, even if a very wet one. The point where was running into major headwind with rain coming straight at me, mixing with sweat and running straight into my eyeballs was a low point but just had to run faster to get back home 😂

#run #mentalhealthaftercancer #anxietymanagement #runningmum #worklifebalance #lifeaftercancer #hodgkinslymphomasurvivor #PTSD #reclaiminglifeafterPTSD

Yesterday was a lot of firsts for me... - 1st time

Yesterday was a lot of firsts for me...
- 1st time heading into a city/town centre of any description since lockdown
- 1st time on bus or any public transport since lockdown
- 1st time going into a coffee shop since lockdown
- 1st time to my new office
- 1st time in a group of people (all socially distanced)
- 1st day spent in PPE all day
- 1st time spending all day on my feet since before cancer diagnosis!!

After PTSD and treatment for it, my psychologist talked about the next phase being this reclaiming life after PTSD. This was something that was really impossible during lockdown and covid 19 has definitly made it exceptionally challenging to do. But yesterday was positive steps for me in controlling my anxieties, rebuilding life while also still being mindful of potential increased risks covid19 may have and the need to be mindful of that.

Life after cancer and life after PTSD is a process of rebuilding, step by step, gradually each day, building confidence, self belief and reducing anxieties and fears. They are unlikely to ever go away, but they will fade over time. ❤

#lifeaftercancer #lifeafterPTSD #cancerrehab #cancerrecovery #reclaiminglife #covid19 #lockdown #hodgkinlymphomasurvivor #cancertrauma #cancerandptsd #mentalhealthaftercancer #psychologyaftercancer #wellbeing #cancersurvivor

Hot chocolate, mashmellows and outdoor fire, snugg

Hot chocolate, mashmellows and outdoor fire, snuggling up under a blanket = ❤❤❤

Happy sunday everyone 💗

#autumn #marshmellows #fire #familytime

The last year has been an extremely difficult time

The last year has been an extremely difficult time for me in regards to my mental health.

Severe anxiety, depression as result of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The best thing I ever did was self refer myself to the local psychology service. Who helped me to come to process my trauma, come to terms with it, think differently about it and myself, and ultumately support me to a much better and happier place where I am now.

Today, to anyone who is struggling to understand what is happening to them, why they feel the way they are feeling and feel lost as to where to go and how to escape it.....ask for help!!! Its one of the hardest things I ever had to do but one of the best too.

THINGS CAN GET BETTER!!
Believe me I know ❤

#mindmatters #psyschologyaftercancer #PTSD #anxiety #depression #cancersupport #cancersurvivor #cancerandtrauma #trauma #askforhelp #selfrefer #psychologysupportaftercancer #mentalhealthawarenessday #itsokaynottobeokay

And like that #bloodcancerawarenessmonth is over f

And like that #bloodcancerawarenessmonth is over for another year

Big thank you to everyone who particiapted in #40kforbloodcanceruk you are all amazing and did so well and im so grateful that you joined me in this challenge. Final tallies are coming in and it looks like between us we have covered almost 1000km this month...amazing!!

Huge thanks also go to every single person who sponsored somebody doing the challenge.

We have raised £2245 for @bloodcancer_uk
I genuinely didnt think my little idea would raise so much so thank you to everyone!!

The just giving page will stay open for another week so if youve been meaning to donate and havent quite got round to it yet there is still time
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/40kforbloodcanceruk

Thank you everyone ❤❤❤

#bloodcancer #charity #fundraising #bloodcancerawareness #cancer #cancerawareness #cancersupport

Challenge Done!!! 🏃‍♀️ 40km running comp

Challenge Done!!! 🏃‍♀️

40km running completed.

5hr 30min of running completed this month all to raise money for @bloodcancer_uk as part of #bloodcancerawarenessmonth

Im not going to lie, but there were moments where I wasnt sure if I would complete it all. But the importance of the charity and the support of everyone kept me motivated, kept me going and pushed me out the door on days when staying in bed seemed very appealing!!

Thank you to my friend who challenged me to run my final run to mark out '40' dont think did a bad job 😂

Thank you to everyone who has been joining in the challenge. The support has been so great. Still 2 days left for those yet to finish, you can do it!!!

Thank you to everyone who has sponsored anyone who has taken part in the challenge it really means a lot.

There is still time to sponsor us, as collective group we have covered more than 800km this month!!! Any donations no matter the size are greatly appreciated and can be made at our just giving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/40kforbloodcanceruk (link in bio) All money donated goes directly to the charity ❤

Super Proud!!! Little man completed his #40kforb

Super Proud!!!

Little man completed his #40kforbloodcanceruk

4 years old and he walked for 12hr30min in month of september to cover 41.3km to raise money for @bloodcancer_uk

He alone has raised a few £100 and thank you to everyone who has sponsored his efforts. He is a little superhero in my eyes.

Now mummy needs to just finish her running 40k 😂

The just giving page is still live (link in bio) if you would like to sponsor his efforts ❤

#charity #youngfundraiser #fundraising #walk #run #challenge #bloodcancer #cancerawareness #cancersupport #charity #charitysupport

Getting close!! Little man is up to 35km now in

Getting close!!

Little man is up to 35km now in his challenge.

5km left to walk and 5 days left to do it!!

He is joining the challenge not just for his mummy but also for the 100s of children every year who get diagnosed with blood cancer.

Did you know that the most common childhood cancer is leukaemia? A form of blood cancer.

Money we raise for @bloodcancer_uk goes towards research into all forms of blood cancer affecting both children and adults. Helping to find kinder and more effective treatments 💛❤

#bloodcancer #childhoodcancer #40kforbloodcanceruk #charity #research #fundraising #challenge #walk #cancersupport #cancersurvivor #mymumhadlymphoma

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