Ever since being diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer my friends and family have said I should write a blog or a journal. Trouble is I didn’t feel like writing. Updating everyone, answering and writing texts and WhatsApps was writing enough. Especially on the first lots of chemo that made my eyes go blurry and meant I had to wear dark glasses (even inside). Turns out one of the chemotherapy drugs I had in my first 18 weeks of treatment (Cyclophosphamide) is derived from mustard gas, so I guess that’s why.
I’m back on chemo again, but its more manageable this time. Throughout this experience I’ve been scribbling down odd thoughts in notebooks, scraps of paper and WhatsApps. The wonderful and growing number of people who are supporting me and my family are keen to hear how I am doing, so with some encouragement and an experimental attitude I thought I’d give this blogging lark a go.
I hope it makes you stop for a minute and embrace your life right now. I’d love you to have real conversations with the people who matter about the stuff that matters to them and you. Maybe you’ll look at the wonder of the natural world or be compelled to do what you’ve always wanted to do.
Maybe it won’t be for you, that’s fine too. If you don’t enjoy reading a piece move on to another or come back another day, don’t endure it. If you do get something from it I’d love your feedback. Feel free to follow and share the the blog and/or my twitter and instagram pages.
Click on the links for more information about why ‘The Cancer Gap”? or how I started writing poetry or my poems. Alternatively, just scroll down to the beginning of the blog or look in the menu on the top left of the screen. Have a nosey around, you’ll work it out.
Follow me here.
July 2019
Dear Claire,
I am a very good friend of Your brother Rob and father Andrew. Both are very vocal of your optimism and tenacity. My own dear mother in law has suffered twice with breast cancer at different stages of her life (she is now 82 and very well) your blog has been beautifully and honestly written. I shall show Jean (mother-in-law) I hope you are as well as you can be and keep up the inspiring blog.
Best wishes
Andrew X
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I am on good form. I hope Jean enjoys it and is able to connect to it in a positive way. I will be ecstatic if I reach 82 (good for her). I’ll try and pack 82 years of life into whatever I am lucky enough to have. Best Claire x
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Love your blog and your energy, please carry on writing
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Thank you, this early feedback is so helpful and motivating.
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Hello
I’ve just read your journey through your blog and poetry
I just wanted to say you are very inspirational and remarkable
David
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Thanks for the encouragement David. It’s early days and I’ve got lots to publish and lots to learn on wordpress – so watch this space. Claire
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You are a total inspiration, Claire. Words fail to describe your positivity throughout your gruelling time living with cancer. I am in awe of you and I am so privileged to know you. Keep fighting and above all keep on kicking this cruel disease into the long grass.
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Dear Claire
You are truly amazing your strength and courage are unbelievable if anyone deserves to win this battle my god it’s you,
Stay strong be positive & kick cancers butt
Lots of love x
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