I feel blessed and humble

Good morning ladies

I thought I'd share this with you. We’ve talked in the past about how family and friends react (or don’t) when we tell them we’ve been diagnosed with cancer. In my life I have been surprised and humbled by the depth of feelings raised.

I’ve not always been that close to my older sister. We live 200 miles apart and sadly don’t really have a lot in common. She has 4 children and grandchildren She is a homemaker and I was a career girl. I didn’t have children but have 2 stepchildren, 3  grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren who also live on the other end of the country.

As soon as my sister heard about my chemotherapy she insisted on travelling the 200 plus miles to take me to my first chemotherapy session and stayed for a couple of days to look after me.

She also gave me a present of a Pandora bracelet with a sister's charm dangly. She has bought me a dangly for every session I’ve been to.

Needless to say this has brought us closer together and we speak every couple of days.

My bestie, who has been there every step of the way for me, is doing a most amazing thing in 8 weeks time. She’s taking part in one of the countries charity 5km runs - I don’t think I’m allowed to promote which one but they wear pink tops and it’s on the TV a lot! I was in floods of tears when she told me and after gladly giving her permission to do so she emailed me her fundraising blog which is also going in the local paper where I used to live. I'm going to buy a pink t-shirt, cheer her as she runs and wear my baldness with pride - my sister's going to try to get up here to cheer her on too!

She was the one who nagged and nagged me to get my pinky spotting on undies checked when I was going to ignore it as I didn't think it worth bothering the doctor.

 When in lockdown I drove my car to the hospital to have my hysteroscopy done under GA, she drove my hubby the 120 mile round trip to drop him off to collect my car and drive me back.

She came with me to the Oncology Consultant’s chat when he gave me the bad news that my cancer was back extensively and held my hand. (Hubby couldn’t come he was only 3 days out of hospital having ad a total hip replacement)

She delivered a huge hamper of goodies before my first chemo session which included ginger tea, ginger biscuits, foot balm, lip balm, skin moisturizer, sudoku books, you name it - so much loving thought had been put into it!

She came with me to the Wig shop and gave advice and stopped me from going outrageous  I went blonde instead!

She's now planning outings for when my last chemo side effects have finished - I think afternoon bingo's on the cards - never been! LOL!

So I feel particularly blessed to have some people in my life who care so much for me - I feel humbled and hope that one day I can pay them back for their generosity and kindness.

Big hugs, Barb x