Category Archives: friends

hugz

05 Wednesday Nov 2014

Posted by in cancer, friends

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hugz
I recently found out that a friend of mine has breast cancer. Yes, she is scared. And dealing with the situation as best she can, with the support of family and (some) friends. It’s brought me back to remembering how it was for me when I was first diagnosed. I had no idea how to feel, felt quite lost at sea. On a dark and stormy night. And now I’m okay. For now. And she isn’t. Yet. Treatment has yet to be determined – the goddam waiting is hell for her, and I know how that is. I also know that – for now – all I can do is be here for her, not be afraid of her fears, not feel any need to “make her feel better” and let her feel okay about sharing whatever she wants or needs to. Oh, and send virtual hugs. This is for you, A. xx

5 year celebration

29 Wednesday Oct 2014

Posted by in cancer, change, friends, hope, tapas

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celebration (1)Celebrating 5 years of being cancer-free with Peter, Kyran & Claire.

celebration (2)First stop La Azotea…

celebration (3)Then we went to La Pepona…

It is still slowly sinking in. And in some ways it’s as much as an adjustment as when I did this in reverse. Except I hope this new feeling doesn’t ever go away – that feeling like it’s Christmas when I wake up in the morning.

the 5 year club

28 Tuesday Oct 2014

Posted by in cancer, change, friends, health & happiness, hope, hospitals

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pet tac

Today marked a very important milestone for me. I had my “5th anniversary” PET scan – which came back clear! – marking five cancer-free years (I finished my last chemo at the end of July 2009). I almost couldn’t believe it when Pilar texted me while I was out having coffee, saying that everything was okay. In fact, I burst into tears. This one is a game-changer. I won’t know exactly what they have in store for me now until I see the oncologist again next month, but today should be the last of the every-six-month PET scans (will switch to either once a year or possible every 10 months) and I will finally be able to get the chemo port out. That last one will be a relief and I won’t have to make my monthly visit to the hospital to get the thing cleaned out. So it’s all good.  I mean, I’m not “out of the woods” yet. The 5-year mark is kind of random and my case is more baffling than anything. Most stage-IV people don’t stay in remission for this long. But hey, I’ve made it this far and at least for now I am fine, so it really does feel like a fresh start.

As always I want to thank my amazing Nuclear Medicine team – Pilar and Isabel (Ricardo retired last year) – and also all of you for being there with me through all of this. You can all take the next year off.  😉

A side note: October 28th is the saint day of Santo Judas Tadeo (Jude the Apostle) patron saint of lost causes. Coincidence?

jane & john

18 Saturday Oct 2014

Posted by in food & drink, friends, sevilla, tapas, tapas tours

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jane johnThe last time I saw Jane & John was four years ago in London (a hectic and happy day that included a fishy foot-nibbling session) and the last time they were in Sevilla was springtime 2005. So it was wonderful to find out that they were holidaying at the fabulous Almohalla 51 in Archidona and wanted to pop over for a visit (if you can call a 4-hour round trip train ride “popping over”). Of course a tapas tour was in order and, as you can see, we had a delicious Saturday afternoon together. Then after rooftop coffees and a stroll through the old centre it was time for them to head back to the station… come back soon!