December 23, 2024
Chicago 12, Melborne City, USA
Dear Diary

This Week I….

Hi, welcome to a disgustingly hot and sunny Sunday. Septembers not far away guys and then we can bring back Autumn, the best of seasons.

Any of you that follow me on social media will know that this has been, well, an interesting week.

If you don’t follow me on social media you’ll have to wait till we get there in order, because this week I….

Relaxed

This is very important. I have been, unsurprisingly, quite tense these last few weeks. So on Sunday I took the whole day off and smothered myself in lavender and took a 2 hour nap. It was nice. I was genuinely relaxed for about 18 hours.

Did some shopping

Well actually I did the shopping about a week ago and it all arrived this week.

I’ve put on a lot of weight fairly quickly since Christmas, so a lot of last years warm weather clothing won’t fit. Plus I am quite bloated from some of the drugs still and need clothing that I can wear over a back brace if I want to do anything fun like sit in a chair for any length of time. So I went on a smock buying spree.

Some were hideous and are going back. See below.

Some were ok and will stay because they are cheap and will be functional on hot days.

And some were actually nice and will be worn happily.

Was hot

It’s too hot. 20 degrees with occasional cloud cover is fine. 23 degrees at 8am is not. I don’t like it. The Pugs don’t like it. When is autumn?

The air con has come down from the attic so at least our bedroom is cool at night. It was definitely a good purchase.

This is a Pug that is a bit too warm.

Finally got a diagnosis

It was not, sadly. The diagnosis I was hoping for.

On Thursday I had an appointment at the hospital and was told that last weeks PET scan showed tumours in my coccyx and right shoulder. Which means I have a cancer called Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple Myeloma is not curable, but it is treatable, though some of the treatments are pretty harsh! I don’t yet have a start date for treatment, but hopefully it should be soon.

I won’t write much more about it here as I think I will write a separate blog post where I can put more details and links.

There is some more detail on my Instagram. Where I also set up a fundraiser for Myeloma UK. I will link below for those that want to take a look.

Went to the Pub

I think that’s the best way to deal with this kind of news, so we went to the pub and ate a burger, then came home and drank an ill advised amount of wine.

I am fine, I will have and have had my wobbles, but I can’t change it, so spending too much time dwelling isn’t going to help.

Had a cry over how nice my friends are

I’ve had care parcels of wine, chocolate and cheese, and lots of practical and emotional support and I’m overwhelmed with how brilliant all my friends are.

If you are one of those people, just know that I really appreciate it and that’s mostly what I’m going to cry over right now.

Had free buns

On Saturday a friend of ours came over and bought lunch and we had a pleasant afternoon in the sunny garden. She also bought free vegan cinnamon buns from a new local bakery called Random Buns of Kindness.

It was very lovely.

And that was another week in my life.

One that has thrown me a bit of a curveball.

How was your week?

administrator
Personal Trainer, blogger, red lipstick wearer and Cocktail drinker. Learning to enjoy the journey.

7 Comments

  • Rebecca June 13, 2021

    Gosh, I was not expecting that this week. I’m glad they’ve found the reason for all the pain and struggle you’ve been experiencing, but am so saddened to hear just how serious and incurable it is. I’m so impressed that you’ve continued to be so honest on here. Please know that there are loads of us cheering you along. Let me know when you run out of UK care packages and I’ll send one from Italy. Big hugs. x

    • Gemma June 13, 2021

      Oh thank you, that is so lovely! You never think it will be you, so it’s a lot to process! But I am processing slowly!

    • Gemma June 15, 2021

      A big thank you! Having answers is good, even if they’re not particularly good answers! Xx

  • Sharon June 14, 2021

    What horrid news. Absolutely rooting for you.

    • Gemma June 15, 2021

      Thank you!

  • Ursula in Cádiz June 17, 2021

    Oh Gemma, that’s an absolute bugger, frankly 🙁 But am waving flags of support at you and sending (gentle) hugs from Spain and yes, will be rooting for you with Sharon; the two of us will be dancing up and down with large glittery pompoms on the side lines.

  • Kate June 18, 2021

    What a dreadful shock for you – and your family. Thinking of you, sending virtual hugs (if that’s ok from a complete stranger!) and hoping you get to eat lots of cinnamon buns xx

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