I was organising through paperwork and stuff this afternoon and wandered how much money I (and my friends family), have raised since I got cancer.
I totalled it up and it comes to just over £9,600. I am very proud of that. And of course with my birthday fundraiser in April, we will definitely hit over 10 grand.
Apart from £2000 which was given to the Willow Foundation, the rest has been for various breast cancer research charities.
Thank you to all of you who have helped but hill climbing, baking cakes, race for life, and of course birthday fundraiser. I couldn't have done it without you all
xxxx
This is my story, as a 42 year old, young woman, living with terminal breast cancer.
Saturday, 19 February 2011
Tattoo
I have thought about it for ages, and though what to get, and I just love it.
It is on my upper arm, and going down my arm reads
Suzie
(a heart)
Live
Laugh
Love
As I said I just love it, and so did Suzie.
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Just and update
Well thing remain good with me, both mentally and physically.
I was at GP yesterday, and we have been weaning my happy pills, to try to relieve tiredness, so much so, that I have only been taking one (was on 3), for the last 2 months, so when I spoke to her yesterday, I said I was keen to try stopping, so that's what is happening. I am really positive about this. I know I will have times when I get down, but can hopefully manage these times using my mindfulness etc, BUT if I do need to get back on them, then that will be fine also.
I have now organised another "I'm Still Here Fundraiser" for 30th April, so have been busy writing begging letters and invites etc, so hopefully will do well again this year. Raising the money for Aberdeen Breast Research Centre this year. I have also started a justgiving page - www.justgiving.com/fionasmith42.
Suzie has decided that she wants to go to Paris for her 18th, so she can get pictures of the Eiffel Tower, but of course there will be plenty more to photograph over there, so that will be in June.
I cannot believe my baby is nearly 18, and even more so, that I am still here to celebrate it with her - for that I feel truly lucky.
xxx
I was at GP yesterday, and we have been weaning my happy pills, to try to relieve tiredness, so much so, that I have only been taking one (was on 3), for the last 2 months, so when I spoke to her yesterday, I said I was keen to try stopping, so that's what is happening. I am really positive about this. I know I will have times when I get down, but can hopefully manage these times using my mindfulness etc, BUT if I do need to get back on them, then that will be fine also.
I have now organised another "I'm Still Here Fundraiser" for 30th April, so have been busy writing begging letters and invites etc, so hopefully will do well again this year. Raising the money for Aberdeen Breast Research Centre this year. I have also started a justgiving page - www.justgiving.com/fionasmith42.
Suzie has decided that she wants to go to Paris for her 18th, so she can get pictures of the Eiffel Tower, but of course there will be plenty more to photograph over there, so that will be in June.
I cannot believe my baby is nearly 18, and even more so, that I am still here to celebrate it with her - for that I feel truly lucky.
xxx
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Lucky
I was sitting thinking last night.
A few times lately, when I have been talking to various people about how my chemo had worked so well for me, I had said "I feel so lucky". These people, not in a bad way, said "well I wouldn't use the word lucky as you are terminally ill with cancer". Yes that's true, it is totally shite, and was certainly not the best news I have ever had in my life (understatement), BUT, I do feel lucky to have had this extra time, feeling reasonably well most of the time, with my family and friends.
Yes cancer still sucks, but its the hand I have been dealt in this life, and I just have to get on with it as best I can.
A few times lately, when I have been talking to various people about how my chemo had worked so well for me, I had said "I feel so lucky". These people, not in a bad way, said "well I wouldn't use the word lucky as you are terminally ill with cancer". Yes that's true, it is totally shite, and was certainly not the best news I have ever had in my life (understatement), BUT, I do feel lucky to have had this extra time, feeling reasonably well most of the time, with my family and friends.
Yes cancer still sucks, but its the hand I have been dealt in this life, and I just have to get on with it as best I can.
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Interesting
Well its been quite a while since I have written on here - kept thinking about it but it didn't seem like I had much to say - more of that later.
I have just watched a new pilot series called The Big C. Its about a reserved suburban housewife (no that's not me), whose cancer diagnosis forces her to shake up her life and find hope and humour in her situation. I thought it was actually quite good, I suppose cos I have tried to find humour in my situation, seems to be the best way to get through this. Anyway, going to continue watching it and see how it develops.
I had a piece in the local paper again yesterday. I actually met with the journalist S, who did the original piece in the paper before my fundraiser last year. We had lunch a few days ago, and she is absolutely lovely. She e mailed me on Friday to see if I wanted to do a 'feel good piece' in the paper about my chemo, and how its worked for me, and why I stopped it, so I agreed. The piece was very positive, and it also mentioned me and Suzie going to Paris, for her 18th in June. This was her choice, the main reason being to get a picture of the Eiffel Tower. I haven't booked it yet, but that will definitely be our next trip. Also in the piece, I managed to reiterate, that a terminal diagnosis does not necessarily mean immediate death, we just need to adjust out lives, listen to our bodies, and try to enjoy the rest of our lives.
Suzie is loving her college course, and her photographs are brilliant, I am very proud of her. She has also got herself a part time job now, so I see less of her, but it is giving her independence, and more importantly, her own money, she loves pay day!!!
Just this past week too, I have booked another birthday fundraiser for April. This year this money is going to go to Prof Heyes, Aberdeen Uni, who does research into breast cancer. I hope to meet with him this coming week, and then I can start getting begging letters sent out etc. I haven't left myself much time this year, so am gonna have to get a move on, but at least it will give me something to focus on.
All in all I feel really good just now. I am starting to exercise again, albeit gently, and am desperately trying to lose some weight. I have gone from 3 to 1 anti depressant, and feel really good still, so might even come off them altogether.
I see oncology this month - its been 3 or 4 months since I have seen them, but don't really think I have any worries.
Must update sooner next time
Thanks for reading
I have just watched a new pilot series called The Big C. Its about a reserved suburban housewife (no that's not me), whose cancer diagnosis forces her to shake up her life and find hope and humour in her situation. I thought it was actually quite good, I suppose cos I have tried to find humour in my situation, seems to be the best way to get through this. Anyway, going to continue watching it and see how it develops.
I had a piece in the local paper again yesterday. I actually met with the journalist S, who did the original piece in the paper before my fundraiser last year. We had lunch a few days ago, and she is absolutely lovely. She e mailed me on Friday to see if I wanted to do a 'feel good piece' in the paper about my chemo, and how its worked for me, and why I stopped it, so I agreed. The piece was very positive, and it also mentioned me and Suzie going to Paris, for her 18th in June. This was her choice, the main reason being to get a picture of the Eiffel Tower. I haven't booked it yet, but that will definitely be our next trip. Also in the piece, I managed to reiterate, that a terminal diagnosis does not necessarily mean immediate death, we just need to adjust out lives, listen to our bodies, and try to enjoy the rest of our lives.
Suzie is loving her college course, and her photographs are brilliant, I am very proud of her. She has also got herself a part time job now, so I see less of her, but it is giving her independence, and more importantly, her own money, she loves pay day!!!
Just this past week too, I have booked another birthday fundraiser for April. This year this money is going to go to Prof Heyes, Aberdeen Uni, who does research into breast cancer. I hope to meet with him this coming week, and then I can start getting begging letters sent out etc. I haven't left myself much time this year, so am gonna have to get a move on, but at least it will give me something to focus on.
All in all I feel really good just now. I am starting to exercise again, albeit gently, and am desperately trying to lose some weight. I have gone from 3 to 1 anti depressant, and feel really good still, so might even come off them altogether.
I see oncology this month - its been 3 or 4 months since I have seen them, but don't really think I have any worries.
Must update sooner next time
Thanks for reading
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