I think the best way to get started is to just copy and paste the first email which I sent, my first BIG off load, says it all really…

(Friday 5th May 2017)

“Hello there my lovely, lovely friends,

Firstly I am sorry for doing this by email, but I can’t work out another way to tell you all at exactly the same time (as you are all so very equally important to me) and as my world has got a little complex I would still be on the phone sometime next year trying to explain things in a coherent fashion!  I am so sorry to my friends who have been trying to suggest dates to meet up, I know I have been very evasive, but I have had a relatively good reason.

Always find it best to just blurt these things out… I’ve got breast cancer.

I had suspected for a little while and was diagnosed on 13^th April (after 3 hours of scans, biopsy’s and mammograms) and then had to have an extra MRI.  Was back to Southmead for results and treatment plan, etc. which was confirmed at an appointment at Southmead on 3^rd May.  Three lumps have been tracked down in my left boob.

I told Joe tonight and we are going to have a very chilled and quiet weekend, it would be great if there are not any conversations in his earshot over the next couple of days, that’s why I thought I’d send a more detailed email to try and head you all off at the pass!!

The next few months are going to be a bit of a grind, as soon as I get back from Chelsea it’s into six 3 week cycles of chemotherapy, followed by an op, followed by 3 weeks of daily radiotherapy and finished off with weekly Herceptin injections for a year.  Hair will probably be gone by the end of June, so if you feel the need you may want to prep children before then – I don’t want to go scaring all our little darlings…

I know the order of op and chemo sounds a bit odd, but as I’ve learnt, they do this with breast cancer to preserve as much flesh as possible, genius!  Shrink it and then have a simple lumpectomy as a day case.  I might still be a bit of a wonky donkey, but my consultant will also consider reducing the right so I will have a matching pair again – every cloud has a silver lining… I’ll get a free boob job and be able to run for the first time without giving myself black eyes!

And now for the science bit for anyone who’s interested or who may understand – it’s official name is B5b grade 2 invasive ductile cancer in the left breast – or as I call them Lump 1, Lump 2 and Lump 3!

Also, I am so very pleased to be able to work at Chelsea Flower Show as normal, but that leads to another request… please can there be no tagging of me on facebook with little hints/motivational sayings, etc. as some of the clients crew are friends with me on facebook.  I absolutely do not want the client to know!  It’s potentially their last year sponsoring, it’s special to them and to me and I don’t want a cloud hanging over the week unnecessarily.  After that, well heck, it’s open season – no secrets at all!

One last thing…(Gosh, I’m being very demanding aren’t I…?) The Chick/Cox family are running a bit dry on good news this year, the emotional stability tanks are pretty much empty – Dad and I to be going through this at the same time is marginally unfair we feel, you couldn’t really write the book.   We are yet to work out whether we will be able to synchronise our radiology appointments and have jolly days out together to the BRI.  However, we have decided that the only way we are getting through this is with humour, you can either laugh or cry, and we’ve decided to laugh.  So, if the smiles, normality and bad jokes can outweigh the sympathetic glances, it would be very much appreciated.

A special note for the Ladies…. I consider myself very, very lucky.  This little bugger is going to be stopped in its tracks early.  I found this, mammograms did not pick it up… Please check, check, check – not just the obvious that we are told about feeling for lumps, I noticed a change of shape and very slight dimpling (and only when my arms were above my head taking my pyjama top off!), even the consultant thought nothing was there at first.  Only the Ultrasound showed them and Sharon the amazing radiologist spotted two out of three of them immediately, the MRI got the third.

Lastly, when I get my ducks (or chicks!) in order all help will be gratefully received – dog walking, child collecting, hospital drop-offs – haven’t quite worked it all out yet, but don’t you worry, I know where to come!

There, got that off my chest… (excuse the pun)

BIG hugs,

K x ”