This time last year I was still having treatment for bowel cancer. I'd had the chemoradiotherapy, I'd had the surgery and I was part way through adjuvant chemotherapy. The Oxaliplatin had made my blood counts plummet so it was Capecitibine for the rest of the course.
Coming to the end of treatment I was full of beans and was thinking 'now what?'
That 'what' became a year of fundraising for Macmillan. I appreciated the space provided here to blog - keeping family and friends informed, processing what I was going through by putting it into words. I wanted to support Macmillan's Worlds Biggest Coffee morning and it snowballed from there.
This Sunday sees one of the highlights of my fundraising year: cycling 40km for Macmillan at the Cycletta, Bedfordshire event. I look forward to meeting fellow (female) cyclists and fundraisers there.
I was a bit creaky getting back on the bike after surgery and there is plenty of scar tissue to be sitting on if you know what I mean. I recommend cycling shorts and going for it!
In terms of ongoing health I am now on the quarterly blood tests, annual scans routine. Fortunately all seems well, and there is no suggestion that I should be anything other than fighting fit for years to come.
As I write I am very aware that there will be people on this site going through the most difficult times of their lives. I hope that you have light at the end of your tunnel and find loving support from friends, family and this on-line community. xxxx
I am still blogging, but elsewhere as I think this community is really best for online support for those in the thick of it. If you are interested you can see a bit about family life (and the fundraising) at:
http://balletmum.blogspot.co.uk/
And of course you can sponsor me!
http://www.justgiving.com/year-for-macmillan
Excuse the size of this picture. I haven't worked out how to make it more of a thumbnail on this page. Pippa thinks it is silly that I am wearing lipstick while cycling, but this is a publicity photo that made it onto the local news web pages!
