A stolen life

I had been wheeled into T12 at UCLH, placed on a ward bed and all I wanted was privacy. The curtains around me were quickly being drawn as I started to have a meltdown but I caught a quick glimpse of a face opposite me, a kind face. 

You were the first face I came across after I had received my cancer diagnosis. At the time, you were just a friendly face I would smile at from across the room. But as time went on, things changed. I am now honoured to have been able to call you my friend.

1st January

This time last year, I laid in my hospital bed over new years & welcomed 2015 on a teenage cancer ward. This year, I welcomed 2016 quietly with friends and reflected on what a roller-coaster year I had. I had been waiting to say goodbye to 2015 for so long, and now I happily can. The year that brought me down on so many low levels, which has only allowed me to appreciate the highs so much more. I am extremely thankful for the help I received last year and most importantly thankful for my much improved health and the relief of being in remission.

 I am more than ready for a bigger, better and healthier 2016. 

So, I welcome January with a positive mind and attitude. Happy, Happy, Happy New Year. 

One year on..

On the 18th of december 2014 I was told by the doctors at my local hospital "We think you have leukaemia".

I clung onto the word 'think' until the next day when it was clarified that I did in fact, at 17, have cancer. So today is the day I consider it being a year since I was diagnosed. The news that broke my heart & changed my life forever. The news that has formed me into the strong person I am today.

Unhappy 1st birthday to my cancer! Too bad, you didn't win this time.

I found my sense of tumour

A cancer conference? Doesn't exactly sound like my cup of tea. A cancer conference held at Center Parcs? Well, pass me the sugar.

It sound's extremely selfish of me to decide to go on a cancer charity weekend due to its destination, but that is what attracted my attention at first. And to be honest, I am so glad it did.

The Teenage Cancer Trust run's two 'Find Your Sense of Tumour' weekends each year. One weekend for the under 18's and another weekend for over 18's. The conference was full of inspirational talks, presentations, celebrity speakers, play's, on-site workshops and complementary therapies. The weekend itself gave young people, just like me, the opportunity to widen their knowledge on their own cancer diagnosis and other cancer's that affect young people. The inspirational talks allowed people to share their personal experiences that others were able to relate too. Most importantly, the weekend allowed young people that have been in the same or similar position to meet and make life-time long friends. 

Although the weekend was jam packed with early morning starts, there was plenty of time to chill out and appreciate the amazing surroundings center parcs has to offer. With it being mid-november, center parcs had a real christmas feel about it which was an added bonus to the weekend. Prancer, Dasher, Comet and Blitzen even made an appearance! I'm guessing the other reindeers were left at the north pole. 

1st December

It has arrived. The month we all anticipate. The month full of celebrations. The month we all put on a few pounds. The month we all love, but a small minority hate (directed at all the scrooges - bah humbug to you!). The month father christmas comes along on his sleigh and fits his large cookies & milk filled belly down our fire places and leaves gifts for us to find on the 25th. The month were all suppose to tell the truth, according to Love Actually. Lastly, the month I was diagnosed with cancer.
So, Hello December, we have all been waiting.