Golden

Today is a big day. Today marks 12 months since my mastectomy.

Today I was out of town for work, looking at a building that allegedly has $60m worth of structural defects.

Last night I stayed in my favourite luxe hotel, had room service in my pajamas and watched Netflix. It was fabulous.

I am so grateful to feel well, to be back working, to be focusing on things other than my health and to be busy again. The sunny days, crisp nights, trees on fire and leaves crunching under foot, mirrors how I feel. Life is golden.

I am gradually accepting that I will never physically, be what I was, again. After the assault on my body last year I am left a bit damaged. I have some neuropathy in my feet and finger tips. I have a weaker left arm. I have some big scars. But, I am also in awe of my body’s ability to fix itself. My blood tests are all normal. I have a head full of really dark curly hair (I was expecting my hair to grow back grey so I am delighted it is black).

I am a new post cancer version of me.

Since February I have been easing back into work. I have an Occupational Therapist assisting me with my graduated return to work. What I have learnt from having her on board is that I was close to burn out before I got sick. I used to spend my weekends exhausted. Now I am full of energy. Recently, after my COVID-19 booster, I started back in the office 5 mornings a week. That has been amazing. I’ll keep doing mornings in the office and afternoons at home until I finish my treatment on 25 May.

I have had lots of post cancer firsts.

I had my first hair cut.

I had my first flight.

I had my first mediation.

I had my first consultation with my plastic surgeon (I never thought I’d ever be doing that!). My reconstruction surgery is likely to be in March 2023. As my new boob is going to be made out of my tummy fat I am making the most of adding to that with lashings of bread, cheese, chocolate and tiramisù.

Gosh I’m excited to finish my treatment and to rid myself of the porta-cath in my chest that hooks the IV straight into a vein in my neck. I’ll blog to mark that momentous occasion.

I shall finish by telling you a small story. In a strange bit of serendipity I ran into Hon Kiri Allan in the Koru Lounge today before my flight home. I took the opportunity to thank her for her social media post about her cancer diagnosis. In it she urged women to prioritise their health and not ignore warning signs. I saw that post shortly before I found my breast lump and I acted immediately because of her words. Kiri quite possibly saved my life. We ended up having a tearful embrace in the middle of the snacks. Today was the anniversary of the beginning of Kiri’s treatment as well as my mastectomy. We were strangers one minute and then we were two cancer warriors hugging it out in the Koru Lounge. Golden.

Oh and here is Harry Styles singing Golden and Harry Styles in a sparkly Gucci jumpsuit because we can all do with some Harry in our lives. The picture contains many things I am fond of including singing, sequins, jumpsuits, biceps and Harry and the video is shot on the Amalfi Coast which I love https://youtu.be/P3cffdsEXXw