Birthday Weekend

On Friday it was my birthday, I turned 26. For those reading this who don't know me, i love birthdays! I hate getting older, but i love celebrating another year in my life and reflecting on what i have achieved in the previous, and then to set goals/targets for the next.

I listened to my body and persevered until the doctors were also listening.
I was brave having the cell sample taken (needle into throat with no anasthetic) and very brave to go back for a second.
All those blood tests.
I walked to the operating theatre and climbed up onto the table on my own, i was then operated on.
I put on a brave face and coped with recovery the best i could.
Realising my mum is even more amazing than i already thought.
Going back to work 2 weeks after my op reinstated the truth that i am working the job that i love.
I have become more open to people around me and now say when i need help. (Sue Oster is the best co-worker anyone could ask for)
I have laughed, cried, shouted and felt lost, and this has just been the last 2 months of the year.

I also travelled back to South Africa to hug the children that have taken a hold of part of my heart, worked in the orphanage and felt at home once more.

I have qualified as a teacher, and started my first job teaching Year 2 and am absolutely loving it! I have been sad in the holidays and can't wait for term to start again.

I have said goodbye to some friends, and grown closer to others. Each year shows us who really is there for us and who we really want to be there for.

I was finally a bridesmaid, for my sister-in-law, and had an amazing day watching her smile from ear to ear early in the morning til late at night.

This year i have learnt to love life and live every day as best i can. You can never see what is round the corner and you have to be ready to tackle it with everything you have. Cancer is a scary thing, it does knock the wind out of your sails, but with the right people surrouding you, family, friends, consultants, surgeons, anaethetists, colleagues, you can tackle it and you can come out of it. But it is not the only thing in this world which is awful. The orphanage is still there, they are still fighting to stay open, and have just accepted into their world their 809th baby. Others are not so lucky with their fight against illness and they leave behind broken hearts and sad eyes. The world continues to spin and we have to keep up. For this coming year i want to stay healthy and positive, optimistic and honest. I want to travel, to make some friendship bonds closer, i want to move in with my partner and i want to continue to work the job i love. I want to help others and i want to learn to let others help me.

I will keep smiling :) the scar around my neck is my battle wound against life and it won't be my last. Remember that life is one great big adventure! We wouldn't want it to be boring would we?!