This week, Rachel had an appointment for a CT scan at a hospital in Nottingham, and I went with her. When I arrived at the home, she was fast asleep, so I read a couple of letters and cards from the big box full of love, and cried a bit, like I always do when... Continue Reading →

Months ago, I signed up to volunteer as a media spokesperson for Breast Cancer Care and Macmillan. I had a long phone chat with both charities to discuss what I would be happy to do (interviews for certain newspapers, radio) and what I wouldn’t (Daily Mail, Sun etc). They asked whether I’d appear on TV.... Continue Reading →

This year has been kinder than the last. It couldn’t have been otherwise, really, without being farcical. This year didn’t involve any high drama or shocks, just the slow adjustment to the way our lives are, now. And yet, there were still three major surgeries in my immediate family: my double mastectomy and reconstruction in... Continue Reading →

A handful of times, since my cancer diagnosis, a friend has got in touch to say that someone they know has also been diagnosed with breast cancer. A sister’s friend or a cousin or a colleague or a friend’s neighbour. All these young women, touched by the same bad luck as me. Do I have... Continue Reading →

Back in April, I sent the first three chapters of my second novel to a couple of small publishers, one of which was Ipso Books. Ipso asked to see the full manuscript and then, a few months later, invited me to come in to meet them. So while I was in London for the Breast... Continue Reading →

On Saturday, Mum and Dad picked me up and we went to Rachel’s care home. The car was full of food and presents, and we made several trips up to the room where the party was being held. Rachel was still in bed, eating her lunch. I hoped it would be one of her better... Continue Reading →

It’s my sister’s fortieth birthday tomorrow. Paul turned forty a couple of months ago. I’m feeling old, and not just because I get stiff if I sit down for more than an hour. I’ve been busy with the children today, but now that they’ve gone to bed I’ve started to wonder what we’d be doing... Continue Reading →

While I was in London for the Breast Cancer Care fashion show recently, I also attended the Britmums Brilliance in Blogging Awards. I was a finalist in the Inspire category and I know that some of you voted for me. I'm enormously grateful for that. My friend Lydia came as my plus one, and the... Continue Reading →

Every year, Breast Cancer Care put on a fundraising fashion show in which all the models have had a breast cancer diagnosis. I talked my friend Rachel into applying, and she was selected. I bought my ticket. Marianne, a friend I’ve talked to a lot online but never met in person, agreed to come with... Continue Reading →

A while ago, I saw on Twitter that Penguin Random House were running a scheme for under-represented writers (eg. BAME writers, LGBTQI writers and disabled writers). They were going to invite 150 applicants to events in London, Bristol and Newcastle and then choose ten for a year-long mentoring programme and possible publication. I wanted to... Continue Reading →