Family, friends and flowers....

1 minute read time.

I'd told my parents after my first appointment at the Breast Cancer Clinic. My mum Facetimed me as I got back and I hadn't spoken to her for a few days so I knew if I didn't answer she would wonder why. I answered but couldn't stop crying so my lovely partner Dave spoke to her and my dad and explained what had happened. I did eventually speak to her and they came over the following morning as I couldn't face going into school. My mum was convinced that it was going to be a cyst. But I just knew it wasn't.

I didn't tell my two children until I'd had it confirmed - I mean why worry them if there's no need. I have two boys who are 21 & 18. They have both turned out to be great kids. My eldest doesn't live with us anymore so I had to text him to ask him to come over. He text me back..."What's going on mum? Am I in  trouble" Slight smile made me laugh.

Telling them was so hard. They don't want a mum that's ill. They want someone they can rely on and help them and support them - not the other way round. My youngest son got very upset, my eldest was more calm and asked lots of questions. He was positive - he must take after me.

I told my friends at work. I work in a small, village primary school and we are like one big family. I text my two brothers and my cousins who are like sisters. I wanted people to know. It's cancer, it's not something to be ashamed of. People should talk about it and not fear it. I have got cancer, I'm living with it! I'm still here. 

So,  this week, the flowers and gifts started arriving. Each one makes me cry because it makes me feel so loved. My mum says..."You're special, people love you". 

I'm not ill and feel a bit of a fraud. Tomorrow is MRI day.

 

Anonymous
  • How beautiful. I was given flowers after my op. by friends, one of whom had also had cancer herself and recovered. They made me cry too.

  • I so agree that people should not fear cancer. In the olden days our grandmothers did nothing about it and died, probably horrible deaths.

  • Telling family is exhausting and feeling that you have to remain positive to help them cope with the news. I have lots of brothers and sisters and two daughters who, the first time round we’re about to take gcse’s and A’levels. They all needed telling but I got one of my siblings to tell the others in the end because it was so draining to have to go through all the explanations multiple times. The one thing I’ve found worse this time round (20years later) is that because of the pandemic all those terrifying waits in Little rooms with tissue boxes have had to be lonely, unaccompanied waits.

  • Your attitude and approach so far seems very like mine. I was diagnosed back in February so if you feel like checking out my blog, it's called One Life Live It.  I have managed through chemo remarkably well and have my last session tomorrow, no more poison thank goodness. Surgery is next…..  best of luck SS you get your treatment plan, I felt much relief when I had that! 

  • They must have suffered so much in years gone by. Science is amazing isn't it.