Hurricane Gemma
When I was diagnosed with Stage 4 in 2021, writing a memoir came to the forefront of my mind. I asked on LinkedIn if anyone knew any ghostwriters. Why use a ghostwriter? Why not write it myself? Share This:
Twas the Night Before Test Results…
…and all through the house, came a total rollercoaster of events, emotions and goings on. Let me give you a bit of an update. Share This:
The Next Stage of Treatment – Spaying
At the first appointment with the oncologist back in 2013, I was so focused on the prospect of starting chemo that it feels like I barely acknowledged the conversation we had about the future. I vaguely recall a discussion about the drugs having about a 20% chance of causing infertility (or was it 50…?). Share This:
Breast Cancer at 29 – REALLY?! Chapter 12
Keep Calm and Carry On As I became accustomed to the fact I’d be dealing with this thing for a long time, I also resolved to beat it. I was still really scared, but the hopelessness was ebbing away. Share This:
Breast Cancer at 29 – REALLY?! Chapter 11
Side Effects, Wigs and Losing my Hair Having swallowed a good load of pills and had a reasonably good night’s sleep, (despite crying myself off to sleep, still thinking “WHY?!”), I was feeling a little better the next day. Besides, I had to get up for Mollie. I just kept taking domperidone pretty much all day. I remember just feeling […]
Breast Cancer at 29 – REALLY?! Chapter 10
Chemotherapy The first chemotherapy session was booked in to start at lunchtime on Friday 8th November 2013. The day before, after I’d had my hair cut short, Harriet came to the flat to take a blood test and to give me some tablets to take before the first session. It was called Emend, an industrial-strength anti-emetic, and it came in a […]
Breast Cancer at 29 – REALLY?! Chapter 8
All Systems Go Little did I know that this was probably going to be the busiest week I had ever known – there was so much to do. When we got back from the doctors that evening we were full of positivity; this was going to get sorted out. They knew what to do with it and it hadn’t spread. […]
Breast Cancer at 29 – REALLY?! Chapter 7
Dr Shah and Lady Stark Sitting in the waiting room at Pinehill that evening I tried to remain calm. I’d been given the name of a Dr Shah; at the time I had no idea he was an oncologist; I’d had to ask the receptionist and when she answered me, she looked surprised that I’d not even looked him up. […]
Breast Cancer at 29 – REALLY?! Chapter 6
CT Scan, Board Games and Cancer Face The next morning I think I woke up with a sense of disbelief. I had my appointment at 11am to have my CT scan and I had a number of things I had to do to prepare for it. Share This:
Breast Cancer at 29 – REALLY?! Chapter 5
Diagnosis The results took a good week or so to come back. Again I tried to put it out of my mind; tried to relax and focus on the future and this awesome new opportunity that was coming my way. I handed in my notice at Capgemini and spoke to the HR director at the new place to ask them a […]
