Think Pink for Me!

I am continuously blown away and very overwhelmed by the loving support myself and my family have received since receiving my diagnosis.  This week has been no exception!  The beautiful home cooked meals are still being delivered by our wonderful friends, my ironing basket is always empty, beautiful little cards and thoughtful gifts are often found in our letterbox or on our doorstep, our girls are loving the many play dates with friends, I have been enjoying the company of some amazing friends and the list goes on and on.  I am forever grateful for all the support we have been receiving - I hope one day I can repay each and every one of you, but for now please accept my sincerest thank you for everything!

The title of this new post stirs lots of emotions for me.  Towards the end of last week I received an email that absolutely took my breath away.  It was from my special friend Alli, who wanted to do something to support me along my journey and to help raise awareness for breast cancer, and for cancer in general.  Alli's family has recently been touched by cancer with the loss of their much loved father.  It really saddens me to know that you can't meet anyone today that hasn't been affected by cancer in some way during their lives.  This brings me to Alli's lovely sister who owns Organic Home - a wonderful company that specialises in natural hand poured soy wax candles.  They are offering their customers a special 'Think Pink for Emma' candle range with 100% of the profits going to Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and Breast Cancer Care WA (my chosen charities).  There will be three different sizes and three different scents available and they will be sold in beautiful glass jars called metros.  The candles will have a special custom made 'Think Pink for Emma' sticker with a breast cancer pink ribbon.  I still tear up and get very emotional when I think about this exceptionally touching gesture.  I am hoping all of my family and friends dig deep and help a very worthy cause such as BCNA and Breast Cancer Care WA and of course support a very special family business, Organic Home.  I honestly can't thank them enough!  For more information their website is www.organichome.com.au :)

With my first Chemo treatment now just 1 week away, I decided to surprise my little family by taking them away to Bunker Bay for the weekend.  It was just what the Doctor ordered (so to speak!) and we had a wonderful time.  I told Ryan and the girls about the plans last Friday evening and we left first thing the very next morning.  The last month has been hard on us all and I still feel terrible about ruining Ryan's birthday (my diagnosis took over!) so decided this weekend would be a belated birthday present and family holiday all in one.  We enjoyed our 2 bedroom villa, full buffet breakfasts (including smoked salmon - my fav!) each morning, lunching at Bootleg Brewery, enjoying the chocolate and Simmo's ice cream at the MR Chocolate Factory,  tasting a few wines and enjoying the company of some friends who were also down at the time :)


I have healed well from surgery although I am still a little tender and sore especially down my right arm.  My physio has advised that this soreness should improve with time although in some cases it doesn't ever go away.  It is a very difficult sensation to describe but feels like I have badly grazed my arm coupled with constant pins and needles.  I have been reading up and thankfully this is quite normal due to the nerves involved with my second lot of surgery.


Tomorrow (Wednesday) will be an exciting day for me and one I have been looking forward to for quite some time.  After having nearly 6 weeks break I will be returning to work!  I finished up very abruptly when I received my diagnosis and haven't been in a position to return (after all of my surgery, etc) until now.  I have been blown away by their unwavering support during the past couple of months and wonderful messages of encouragement (not to mention the signed Mark LeCras photo!)  I absolutely love what I do and am so very thankful they have given me the opportunity to return to work as and when I feel up to it whilst on Chemo.  My friends at work are very special to me and we are often laughing to the point I am crying!  Lots of good times :)


The last couple of weeks have been really nice and at times I often wonder if my diagnosis was just a bad dream.  Of course it all hits at bed time when I change into my pj's and see the huge scar across my chest - unfortunately this will be my reminder for quite some time :(