COVID strikes again

Blimey it's been a while!! What's happened?! Well beginning of August I had my stomach drained again. I was in hospital for a night and was looked after so well by the staff on ward 14. Then it was Maddys birthday on 3rd August and me Maddy and my mum had a trip to Birmingham (not to sample the delights of the black country!) but to visit the Friends experience (and to visit the UK's biggest Primark?!) cultural sight seeing at its best eh?! We then did perfume making a few days later (great gift idea for anyone who loves perfume!), Maddy self titled her perfume 'Maddy' (why not, if it's good enough for Madonna and Ariana Grande!) I named mine 'Ray of sunshine' which is what I've always called Maddy, we finished that off with afternoon tea (obviously cakes were involved with Maddy present!).

Liv went on her first holiday to Zante with her mate Mia, I did not sleep a wink that first night she went, but she's a budding Judith Charmers and has been on 4 holidays now, safe to say I'm over it! I was filmed for ITV news for a snippet they were doing on mesothelioma and asbestos awareness. I'm a pro now like, I sat in the right positions were the lighting was good, the woman from ITV said wow you've done this before, I said 'yeah just once or twice' haha!

Me and Mark went to Knock Hill to watch the British Touring Cars (stayed in a lovely lodge with a hot tub!). Then it was Nicola (Marks Sister) and Gary's wedding. What a beautiful few days. We had the best time although a blue bridesmaid, burnt bride and a choked out uncle kept the whole thing interesting! (Don't ask!). And then I was ready for a holiday, so I took the two smallest children and my dad to Benidorm for a week. Not quite like the last time I went to Beni, defo less shots and cocktails (amongst other things!).

Then my little Betty (Liv) turned 18! I wasn't mentally prepared to be the parent of an adult, in fact I'm still in denial! But I couldn't be more proud of the beautiful, caring, clever young woman she's turned into. I am so blessed to be here to celebrate this milestone with her.

Me and Jane went down to the Midlands as I was invited to be a guest speaker at the Lung Cancer Nurse forum. Mark suggested I switch it up a bit, my story. I said 'how can I, it's my life!' 'It's not like a soap opera, I can't throw in a helicopter crash for dramatic effect!'.

Late on in September, me and the girls went to Skegness on an 80's weekender for Cheryl's 50th. Like always we laughed until we cried. Unfortunately we not only came away from the weekend with good memories, we also came away with a dose of COVID. Which has delayed my treatment for 2 weeks alongside having to have my stomach drained again so that's delayed it even more. So I'm here again. On the other side. Being a patient. I'm that used to it now I've been emptying my drainage bag and doing my own fluid balance! (Once a nurse always a nurse).

So that's it for now. Just plodding on. Navigating my way through life with Mesothelioma. Trying to make the most of it. I hope I'm doing a good job!