Random thought No 1, on people’s kindness
So many people have sent or brought flowers over the past months that at times the downstairs of the house resembled a pop-up flower shop.
The photo shows a selection of what was awaiting me when I got home from hospital on Christmas Eve after my operation.
More generally, I’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness and thoughtfulness of friends and family and colleagues. I’ve received dozens of cards and all sorts of gifts to cheer me up. Folk have run errands and have driven me to appointments when I couldn’t drive. They’ve come to visit and accompanied me on walks, they’ve cooked for us and they’re still phoning, texting/emailing/facebooking/whatsapping to wish me well and ask about my progress.
It’s all very humbling and I feel extremely fortunate to have so many people looking out for me.
Random thought No 2, on being open about having cancer
I thought I’d told the world that I had breast cancer but even now I’m still bumping into people who’ve only just heard from someone or other that I’m not/haven’t been well. I’m glad I was open about it. I’d much rather have people cross the road towards me and ask how I’m doing than have them cross the road to avoid me because they’re not sure whether they’re “meant” to know or not.
Random thought No 3, on that lovely hospital look
While I was in hospital, I reckon I looked such a fright that if a child who had been visiting a none-too-ill relative had caught a glimpse of me pacing the corridor my first or second time out of bed, I’d have put him or her her off hospitals for life.
He/she would have seen me all bent over with a nervous look on my face, tottering along with tubes running from various parts of my body into a bright green plastic bag (that’s where we kept the drainage bottles when we went walkies), wearing a shapeless hospital gown, anti-DVT socks and little red bootee-type slippers. This last item is missing from the photo – saved you from that delight!.
Add to the mix a very pale face and a bald head (saved you from that too!) that at the time had faintly ridiculous looking tufts of mostly grey hair sprouting from it in a distincty random manner and you get the picture.
Random thought No 4, on loving the internet
You gotta love how the internet works. Over the past few months I’ve been receiving loads of spam email exhorting me to check out such gems as “The Best Breast Augmentation Providers”, “Breast Reduction Options”, “The Latest Tummy Tuck Options”, “Botox Options” and “Six Best Cancer Treatments”.
I’m pretty sure I didn’t get this type of email before I started blogging about my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment!
iamtheoneineight 