2020 was my lucky year, and I do mean that. In May, just after lockdown here in NZ, I got diagnosed with stage 3, grade 3 beast cancer. The tumour was too large to operate, so we started with a 6 month course of chemo to shrink it. This was successful and by Christmas they were able to successfully operate and remove the tumour with clean margins via a mastectomy and auxiliary lymph node dissection. After the surgery healed, the treatment was finished off with 3 weeks of radiation, in February 2021 - 12 months ago already! there has been so much to be grateful for; I have had a wonderful medical team, work has been super supportive, New Zealand has been pretty much covid free, and most importantly an amazing support network of family and friends in spite of the challenges of a travel free world. Who knew the highlight would be, after 30 years, I now have short hair, and love it - wish I had done it years ago!!
Late last year I did an article for Transpower to promote Breast Cancer awareness, which I think will serve as a suitable First Post for this site.