Wednesday, 1 January 2020

2020 starts with a Challenge

If you read my last blog post you will know that life for me turned upside down early December when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The weeks up to Christmas were daily visits to either our local hospital or Coventry for numerous scans and tests, hard for anyone but with my severe needle phobia each visit was quite traumatic.

Just after Christmas I had three lymph nodes removed and yesterday I had a titanium clip inserted in the tumour. I now face 6 months of chemotherapy followed by a second operation to remove the lump which should by then be tiny.

Nick has been amazing, it hit us both out of the blue, our holiday to Copenhagen had to be cancelled and some of our Christmas plans altered. It's a blessing we are both retired and can work together through this.

2020 will be a tough year for us, and always up for a challenge Philippa and I have decided to do Dry January. It will give me a purpose and a focus away from treatments and needles.

We have set up a Virgin Money donation page 'Clare and Philippa - Drop the Gin' and will be splitting any monies given between George Eliot Breast Care Unit and Cancer Research.



Starting at midnight with just the New Year toast we plan to stay alcohol free until midnight January 31st .... we have Nosecco ready for today's New Year lunch and plan to try some of the non-alcoholic gins that are now available.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year 
- here's hoping it progresses as planned for us all.

10 comments:

DUSTY said...

Clare, I hope you have the best Year possible. I keep you and Nick in my prayers and wish the best for two wonderful people. Good luck with your dry January, you never know, you may find something that you enjoy that is alcohol free.

Clare-Aimetu said...

Thanks Dusty, I already enjoy many soft drinks but I'm looking forward to trying some of the new alcohol free wines and spirits that are now available.

Christine said...

Best wishes for the New Year. Good luck with "dry January"

Julie said...

I'm sure with your determination you will both achieve this easily.... good luck!

Rachel said...

I am so sorry to read about your news and the obvious challenges you are going to face. You have a loving family around you and I'm sure all of your readers will be sending prayers and thoughts your way. Try to stay as positive as possible. :)

Katie said...

I wish you luck on your dry January. I hope your treatments go quickly and mostly painless.

Bethan said...

Good luck with you Dry January. I hope your treatments go quickly and the second surgery will be the end of it all for you x

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Good luck with dry January. I stopped drinking when we were trying for our second son and only have a small glass on Christmas Day now! But don't ask me to give up chocolate!
Hope the treatment progress smoothly this year, we will all be here to support you.

beadgirl said...

Oh, Clare, I'm so sorry to hear of the news. I will pray for you.

Astrids dragon said...

Since I'm almost a month behind in my blog reading, your month is almost up! Do you know what your first drink will be?!
I hope the rest of your treatment has been going well, without too many issues for you.
Sending hugs your way.