My Post Cancer Bucket List Update
You might remember that back in June, I’d just finished chemo for Triple Negative Breast Cancer and was almost done with radiation and I wrote a list of the things I wanted to start achieving. So here is my Post Cancer Bucket List update!
1. Grow some hair
I’ve grown some! It’s growing sooooo slowly though but it’s getting there. I’ve even had a couple of mini hair cuts just to tidy it up and get it into something that resembles a ‘style’.
2. Rubbing my eyes
By this I meant I wanted my eyelashes to grow back strongly so that I could really rub my eyes without worrying that I might rub them all off again!
Well now I can! It hasn’t all been uphill though as although my eyelashes grew back lovely and long, they all fell out again. Every last one sob sob! However they’ve since grown back so all good. I have to expect that they might fall out a few more times I suppose and one day I hope they’ll get back to what they were.
Oh wow it feels good to really rub my eyes!
3. Healing
I’m getting there but it’s an ongoing process and as I suspected, I doubt I’ll ever truly ‘heal’. Physically I have some pain where from the surgery and radiation but it’s managed with paracetamol.
I don’t sleep much.
Every day that goes by though, and every day I remain cancer-free, helps me to come to terms with embracing my new life now for what it is.
I try to not dwell on what has happened because it does me no good to. That said, I’m approaching my 1 year appointment in the next month and I know I’m going to get anxious in the run up to that and when I have my ultrasound and mammogram.
Please keep your fingers crossed for me that the scans come back clear. I really feel that they will.
I’ve never been a particularly anxious person but I do have it occasionally now. I have nightmares, not about cancer but I imagine because of it. When I hear about people whose cancer has returned, I’ll be honest, it plunges me into depression. It’s the worst fear. As they recommend though, I can only live each day at a time and focus on the here and now. There is no point fixating on what might never happen, is there?
4. Getting fitter
I’m no fitter unfortunately but I have lost more weight! I’ve lost 9.5kgs of the 10kgs I put on during my cancer treatment and I have so much more energy as the chemicals have left my body. So YAY to that and I intend to keep the weight loss going!
5. Having my Portacath removed
This little beggar is still in situ and I’ve decided to keep it in until at least I (hopefully) get the 1 year ‘all-clear’. I think then I might get it removed as it’s uncomfortable and makes sleep difficult. Sleep is hard enough for me – I’m an insomniac, I don’t need anything else adding to that!
6. Partying!
As a busy mum of 2 little ones, I haven’t had much opportunity to get out and party but I have when I could!
I’ve had a couple of lovely nights out in Sydney including a lovely stay at the Novotel Darling Harbour and last month went to Pacific Palms for the weekend with my family and friends and had the best time involving quite a bit of wine!
7. Going on a Date Night
Fail! This has not happened yet.
8. Having a Family Holiday
Yes we did this! As mentioned above, we went to Pacific Palms for the weekend and had a really lovely family holiday. I’d have loved it to be a week in Bali but this was a brilliant start!
So that’s my Post Cancer Bucket List update and I’m pretty happy with how I’m tracking.
I know by my 1 year appointment I’ll be back to the weight that I was when I was diagnosed and hopefully I’ll be even lighter.
I’m focusing on remaining positive, happy and hopeful and the messages of support I get from you guys continues to will me on so Thank You!
Check your breasts, people x
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Positivity, the love and support of family and friends and listening to your body is part of the key of beating this insidious disease. You have an amazing attitude and I love your new hair style. Hang in there lovely lady. Have a lovely Christmas, and all your endevours for 2017.????
This is reminding me to check my boobs again even though they’re sore and swollen as I come to the end of the second trimester! Sounds like you’re making great progress, fingers crossed for that one year check xx #thelistlinky
Author
Awww you’re nearly on the home run lovely! Thank you :) x
All the best for the one year check. Great to make a list and enjoy crossing them off. Hope you all get Bali sometime soon – family holidays do wonders for your health (in my opinion). Love your positivity. #thelist
Author
Oh thank you lovely! I have my fingers crossed for Bali :) x
You’ve done fantastically with your list so far and as someone else mentioned, your hair looks fabulous, it really does suit you. I’ll be keeping everything crossed for your one year check Hun x
Author
Oh thank you so so much! x x
Lovely that you got away on a holiday and great that you’ve lots 9.5kg and feel like you have so much more energy – I say date night next!!! Take care x #thelistlinky
Author
Thank you so much and YES I just need that date night! x
What a lovely photograph of you and your husband, I’m so glad you’re feeling better, fingers crossed those eyelashes stay where they are x
Author
Oh thank you lovely! Me too – I’m clinging on to those lashes! x
I love your list. You sound like you are doing really well. I hope that you get your date night! #thelist
Author
Thank you lovely – I hope so! x
Inspiring as always Mim. Sending you buckets full of positive thoughts and well wishes for your one year check. x #TheList
Author
Ahh thank you lovely lady!! x x
You’re doing amazing and it’s lovely to hear that you’re recovering so well. A few years ago, I was given an experimental treatment for a chronic illness I’d had for 6 years. As part of the application process, I had to write a list of 6 things I would do if I got better. It was terrifying to write because I just couldn’t believe I would get there. However, 4 years later and all those things that I thought were out of reach have been ticked off and I am all better. Hurrah!
P.S. I am LOVING your hairstyle! I think it really suits you. I know it’s not the same but I had all my hair cut off for the first time because I broke my arm and it matted so badly, I had to have it all cut out. I realised, though, that I loved having short hair and so now I go back and have it cut short all the time! #TheList
Author
Oh thank you! I know what you mean – making any kind of plans for the future is so scary – I went from not even being able to imagine having a future to not daring to think about it. It’s getting better every day :) x
Fab list and you’ve pretty much done it all! So glad your eyelashes have grown back but boo to the long ones falling out! Glad you managed a break away, lord knows you all deserve it. Huge hugs lovely lady xxx
Author
Ahh thank you beautiful! I’m so happy to have eyelashes again!! x
Great list :) Wishing you all the best for your one year checkup :)
Author
Oh thank you Charl!
I have a great feeling about it, too! It’s all good news from now. Congrats on the weight loss. You’re looking wonderful!
I’ve had a holiday and grown some (nanna) hair, but am failing on the fitness and weight loss. Sigh. Oh well, I’ll get there!
Author
Oh thank you lovely – I have such a long way to go – why is cake so good?? You are Winning at life though – we are both winners, well we’re still here :) x x
I like your list! I’m sending you as many positive thoughts and vibes as I can for your 1 year check.
Author
Oh thank you so much! I have a great feeling about it :)