I have cancer

Dear Peeps,

It is the words you dread to hear out of anyones mouth, especially your Mum's.

My Mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer just before Christmas. She is fit and healthy and in her early 70s. Another friend, that very same week, was also diagnosed in his late 40s. He is fitter and healthier than anyone I know.

Cancer does not discriminate. Young, old, sick and healthy. And it is someone's Mum, Sister, Brother, Dad or child.

What broke my heart though was my Mum saying to me - I am sorry, you just did not need another thing right now. Even though she was about to go into the toughest fight of her life, she was worried about me.

My Mum has always been my rock and I knew that she needed all her energy to focus on herself.

Dad and Mum were inseparable, I wanted to take her to some appointments to give Dad a break, but he would not hear of it. In typical Dad fashion, he arrived almost an hour early to every appointment. Sometimes getting a cancelation phone call because the chemo had not arrived when he was pulling into the carpark and the appointment was still 45 mins away🙏.

Mum experienced a lot of side affects but I laughed when she named on Baboon Butt. I asked her how she felt after radiation and she said if you have seen a baboons butt, you will know what mine is like right now.

Her hair has started to grow back and we are just waiting for the 6 month post treatment PET scan.

Until then, we all hold our breathe. I know many of you are holding your breathe for a loved one, or remember the time it felt hard to breathe until you hear they forked cancer.

Sunday, I am hosting a Longest Table event to raise money for cancer research. This is the link if you wish to attend or donate. https://www.thelongesttable.com.au/s/2857/3310/e

After Mum, I will still be holding my breathe for J and T. Too very dear people, who are still undergoing treatment. J and T, you got this🫶.

Love,

Ro