About FEC-THis

Hello,

Welcome to my little world of thoughts, experiences, hopes, fears, dreams, obsessions…. you name it, it will probably turn up here somewhere.  I’m a married mother of one and career woman who, like far too many other women, received a breast cancer diagnosis in June 2012. FEC-TH is the name of my treatment; it wasn’t easy.

Breast cancer is an emotional disease as well as a formidable adversary. It hits women* at the core of their femininity and respects no boundaries. It makes no allowances for class, colour or culture and it doesn’t care what kind of life you’ve lived so far. It leaves young women childless, orphans children, decimates families and separates lovers in the prime of their relationships leaving them empty and alone.

It also brings out all that’s best (and sadly sometimes worst – let’s not dwell there) in people. True friends shine brighter than the brightest stars, strangers offer heart-touching acts of kindness and compassion, family members become champions, advocates and good counsel.  As for women with breast cancer, well, they’re likely to be some of the most courageous, determined, humorous, supportive, humble and  hard-as-nails-kick-ass people you’re ever going to meet.  You see, women with this disease don’t give in, they don’t give up and they don’t lose their grace or dignity.

Thankfully, amazing medical advances over the last 10 years mean many breast cancers can be successfully treated when diagnosed early enough. But breast cancer is a complex disease and some sub-types e.g. triple negative and my own personal brand HER2 positive are far more difficult to deal with.  These breast cancers have much lower success rates than we hear about through the Media, they tend to strike younger women and often prove to be far more aggressive. They call for more aggressive treatment regimes which can be difficult to deal with and often involve life-changing consequences.

Breast cancer tries very hard to replace any thoughts of fun and the future with fear and chaos…. until you get to grips with it.  This blog is all about getting to grips with it. Seeing another side of the situations I encounter as a means to combat the darkness dealing with the disease inevitably brings, even for those with a naturally sunny disposition.   Love it or hate it, laugh or cry, this is my experience so here you’ll find I say it as it is.

* Breast cancer is not an exclusively female disease. It affects men too. They’re often overlooked because their plight is not as well publicised. Spare them a thought.

I selected this post to be featured on my blog’s page at Breast Cancer Blogs.