Thank you Women’s Health magazine (and hello again WordPress)!
It’s been a very slack six months since I posted anything on this blog, but two things have happened in the last month that have prompted me to reacquaint myself with how to use this blog and write a little note.
The first is that last month marked two years since I had my cancer diagnosis (more on that later) and the second is an enormously generous act that has kind of blown my mind and I would like to share with you.
Last year Ovarian Cancer Australia asked me to be a part of a story they were working on with the Sunday Magazine to promote Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Teal Ribbon Day. That story ran last Sunday and today, being the last Wednesday in February is Teal Ribbon day. Please buy a ribbon for $2 if you come across one. Or you can donate here. All proceeds go to Ovarian Cancer Australia. Meanwhile, here is a link to the Sunday Magazine story and a few behind-the-scenes (and post shoot celebration) pics. It was no mean feat getting six busy women together for this shoot, so a huge thanks to all of them! Now, I promise I will stop banging on about teal… til next year!
This post is long overdue, because it is about something that really did change my life for the better. But, what can I say, life gets in the way of blogging and this last week has been a busy one (Rudd-Gillard madness aside). At my monthly check up with my oncologist last Friday I found out that my cancer marker (CA-125) has gone up again. Read the rest of this entry »
Mwah Mwah! Happy Valentines and much love to you all. We want to wish a special thanks to everyone for the last week of fundraising for Ovarian Cancer Australia. The upshot? Our event on Friday raised over $650 dollars in donations and we have had an additional $2000 come in via our online donation page. All within one week… beyond fantastic work people! We are so grateful for all your support and very humbled by your generosity.
Read the rest of this entry »
This week we a got a little something. It’s remote control, it’s fun, but it’s not (strictly) a toy. It’s… Read the rest of this entry »
Since I spread the word re this blog (thank you for stopping by) I have had a few followers come through from the world of WordPress (this blog tool), which got me wondering what other WordPressers write about.
February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and so I thought I should help spread the word. So, if you ever wanted to get to know this disease here are the latest stats… Read the rest of this entry »
A strange thing happened whilst I was undergoing weekly chemo treatments… I started to use my gym membership for almost the first time in the two years since I joined. After months of chemo I began to feel really sluggish but I didn’t feel strong enough to go for a run, so I decided it was time to check out my gym, which is literally five minutes walk from my home. Read the rest of this entry »
I am very pro procrastinating and spending time online “researching” is an ideal way to burn time. Here are some things that have been taking up far too much of my time lately…
Beyond traditional treatment trial #3: Pause, breath, relax12 months ago I never would have believed that I would be writing about meditation. Even my inner hippie, who loves a crystal or an incense candle or two, would have heard “mediation” and thought “yawn”! However, in the spirit of opening up myself to new experiences, I followed up on a story in my local paper about meditation sessions being held specifically for cancer patients not far from where I live I decided to give it a try. Far from wanting to just get through the session, I actually found it incredibly relaxing and refreshing. It might be the beachside location or our lovely teacher, but I really feel that after our weekly sessions my mind is clearer.
So, I did some research… Read the rest of this entry »
Yesterday I rode my bike for the first time in weeks (it’s been on a holiday with a sister up the coast) and it got me thinking about what makes me happy. If cancer gives you one thing it’s a new perspective on what is important in life and what isn’t. Imagine if the focus at school was on how to achieve a high level of happiness and satisfaction in life rather than being on getting high grades or trying to get into a profession that earns a lot of money? Wouldn’t it be a refreshing approach to life… Read the rest of this entry »
Goodbye periods, hello hot flushes! Since I have had a hysterectomy I have gone menopausal. FYI “going menopausal” is much more scary (for those around you) than “going postal”. My condition cannot be treated with HRT as it’s too dangerous, so can you imagine the hormonal craziness? And stinky! These days I need deodorant supply in my handbag at all times. Sorry to all the ladies at my gym – I really can’t help it!
Beyond traditional treatment book review #1Over the summer I have been busy reading all of the books on health and cancer that have been given or lent to me over the past year and a half. I have been reluctant to tackle this avalanche of reading material as I didn’t want to hang all my hope on “miracle cures”, but I am refreshed to see that most of these books are either actually based on scientific research, are about positive and practical things you can to take some control over illness or about finding hope and peace with cancer.
This book falls into the latter category. In fact the reason that this is my first book review is not because it is the best reference book (I will review that one shortly), but because of an explosive story that broke about the author on the second last day of 2011.
Each year Pantone nominate a colour which they think will define the year. This year’s colour is Tangerine Tango. I love this bright, bold, energetic colour, but I feel like we have been rocking this colour for some time now – it’s already everywhere from fashion, to decor and graphic design. Personally I am even more exited about Solar Power (ie bright yellow), the other strong colour in Pantone’s Spring Report. Loving these citrus hues! In the meantime here are some delcious tangeriney things to enjoy…
Over the past month or two I have been having a lot of fun learning how this whole blog thing works, and have drawn a lot of inspiration from my favourite blogs (see blogroll below), but along the way sometimes I get a little sidetracked. Today I got lost in the colour of Kate Spade’s Tumblr site. See why… Read the rest of this entry »
Phew! The new year is here and it’s on, like Donkey Kong. Last year I felt that the clock was ticking on my life, so I made an extensive list of resolutions that was exhausting to even look at and I didn’t get anywhere near achieving. This year I am going to keep it simple. My 2012 new year’s resolutions are to:
And, amongst other things, here’s what I am looking forward to in 2012… Read the rest of this entry »
I hate to start a post on a negative note, but I can’t wait to see the back of 2011. Personally my overriding memories from the year include a bad combo of operations, chemo, having to leave my job for treatment (and not pick up my winning magazine award) and the stress of the boring old economic crisis. In short, it was a hellish year. But, thanks for my family and friends, there have also been some fantastic, hilarious and humbling moments, too. Here they are… Read the rest of this entry »
One of the first things I experienced with chemo was feeling completely zonked out during treatment. I often slept through the whole thing, which, BTW is the best way to get through it. This was expected, but what wasn’t, was the brain fog I felt for days afterwards. I must have been so preoccupied with preparing for all the other side effects (nausea, losing your hair, painful teeth, etc) not all of which I experienced, that I tuned out when they said anything about “chemo brain.” Read the rest of this entry »
Life doesn’t stop because you got cancer. Well it does for about 36 hours whilst you wait for your pathology results, but then everything around you just continues as is. Work deadlines still exist, the garbage is still collected on Tuesdays, Christmas still happens. This is a tiny bit surprising because nothing is ever quite the same again. Something shifted in me when I faced the thought of dying. Not immediately, but as my diagnosis got worse. It’s scary, it sucks, but then again, sometimes I can see that it’s not all bad.
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and delicious Christmas! Read the rest of this entry »
