That was the year that was




Watching Stevie Wonder in Hyde Park - June 2010

Although at times it has felt like my life has revolved around the 15th floor at UCH these last few months, when I have been able, I have done other things outside of my treatments.  As we approach the end of the year, I could do one of those cheesy retrospectives but I won’t – I’m really not that interesting!
 However, it does cheer me up to remember the good times I have had outside of the chemo and drugs cocktails.  Memories such as all the delicious TSC (Thursday Supper Club) dinners and the fun and laughter that usually brings;
all the dining out I was lucky enough to be taken to;
my amazing lunch at Claridges for Sarah’s London hen day and the way the UCH medical team were able to accommodate it amongst my treatments;
the gorgeous weddings of Sarah and Michael and Scott and Lucy and the ensuing shenanigans for both days;
the births of Alexander, Rosie and Roscoe – new members to my ever increasing circle of friends;
Café Rouge lunches with Kira and her need to power walk;
Stevie Wonder in Hyde Park (check out the photo above ^^^);
watching the World Cup and listening to the vuvuzelas; 
climbing with Amber and Ann;
climbing full stop and all the sexy climbing gear that goes with it;
eating wasabi peas with Marc;
celebrating my birthday and reliving our youth at Chessington World of Adventures and the ridiculous fun we had for the photo opportunity of dressing up as cowboys and cowgirls;
countless visits to the pub with Sam, Ben and Martha;
visits to the Lake District and Cornwall and their majestic beauty;
being there to experience the immersive Duchess of Malfi opera staged by Punchdrunk - the man sang opera to me whilst hugging me!! He was so close I could feel his heart beating.
being there to experience the immersive theatre piece that is You Me Bum Bum Train that was just a complete wow!! And being lucky enough to take part as an extra in its production;
being able to go back to work albeit on a part-time reduced hours basis between treatments. Not only did this make me feel “normal” again but it also gave me a much needed boost to my self-confidence – my brain still worked (!?!) and I am grateful to my managers for their understanding. 
Finally, our garden taking amazing shape from Mat’s simple sketch where I am really looking forward to seeing the fruits of our labour literally take root;
and just being, really.
I could go on but I won't bore you. It hasn't been a great year for me but there have been good memories too and I really appreciate them all.

I could also mention about how this illness has taught me about perspective, living for the now and all the other things you read about when it comes to cancer.  But I won’t because I didn’t need this illness to teach me about any of that.  I like to think that I already had perspective and living for the now and appreciation of all the good things in life.  What is important is that others learn about this too.  And that I don't forget.

photo courtesy of vanessavanillaflavour