Category Archives: breast cancer

The carnival is over.

Well, it’s been a good few months, and I’ve really, really, really enjoyed the treatment break, despite the fact that sometimes it’s felt like I’m in some kind of psychological warzone. I feel like I’ve been truly alive again for … Continue reading

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I have a book! The Crow Gods.

Isn’t it gorgeous? My first chapbook of poetry is going to be published by Sidhe Press over the next couple of weeks. I am excited, nervous, honoured. So many feelings. Do you like the cover? I love that crow. I … Continue reading

Posted in books, breast cancer, Living with dying | Tagged , | 12 Comments

Funerals and stuff.

I’ve been AFK, as my son would say. I’ve been away for good reasons – I was offered a treatment break back in September. It was a bit of a shock. I got a call saying that my consultant would … Continue reading

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Update. You know, health and stuff. And food.

So, the good news is that the chemotherapy is holding the cancer in check for now. Next scan in a month. The bad news is that the chemo is hard. And the worse news is that after this, when this … Continue reading

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New Project.

I’ve been referred to Palliative Care. Ouch, ouch, ouch. I know my chemotherapy is palliative, we’ve been through that, but actually referred to Palliative Care? It felt like another step up the staircase. It’s a bit weird, because I’m a … Continue reading

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100 Things I love 12: having my daughter do my make-up

I used to wear make-up regularly. The first thing I tried was a shimmery, bright blue eye-liner. Very ABBA. I was out with friends, and bumped into my mum in the arcade in town. I was so embarrassed. Make-up seemed … Continue reading

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Apologies

Last April I spent 11 days in hospital, on the oncology ward. You go there when you are really sick. Me? I had a catastrophic response to the chemotherapy medication I was taking. My body couldn’t process it. My immune … Continue reading

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A little chemo holiday

I had a telephone review with my oncologist on Tuesday, and we’ve agreed to defer my next chemo session for a fortnight. I’ve now had 10 doses of docetaxel. It’s kind of OK, but I’m knackered. I feel pretty shit … Continue reading

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Missing out.

I’m supposed to be in Ireland. Specifically, I’m supposed to be in County Clare in a big house by the sea with my husband and my kids and a great rolling crowd of eating, drinking, laughing, chatting, arguing, joking in-laws. … Continue reading

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Docetaxel

So, here we are at the start of Week 3 of my 3 week cycle. Side effects? Yes: Look at the picture. Can you see when the fatigue started to lift? Oh, the fatigue. Leg pain. Like my bones were … Continue reading

Posted in breast cancer, Living with dying | Tagged , , | 12 Comments