Sunday 18th November

Sunday 18^th November

I enjoyed a bright and breezy walk along St Catherine’s breakwater yesterday morning, although didn’t fancy a dip in the swirling sea!

The weather was so awful that I thought I might as well go food shopping, low in supplies as usual; needless to say it was very busy. A quick dash into town to buy a very necessary pair of red shoes…. And home by 2pm. I did find it a bit ‘upsetting’ in the supermarket (nobody’s fault), saw two people that I recognised and have known for quite a long time and even though I spoke briefly to one of them, it was embarrassing to see the blank stare. I forget that I look so totally different now and with my grey tufty clumps of hair growing out at angles they probably had every reason to run a mile from this strange apparition before them.

I’ve had enough ‘hilarious’ remarks from my brothers re my hairstyles over the years, and now I’m just adding fuel to their fire……  now with my 2cm of uneven patchy growth even my husband said I needed a haircut!!! 

We went to a party with a difference last night……let me explain. At 6pm we met at the Grand Hotel for a glass of Champagne, then boarded a ‘party bus’ that took us to the Hospice shop in St Ouen, where we could buy (and then wear) whatever we wanted (The Breakfast Club ‘paid’).

As you can imagine, some folks were fairly conservative (me included) others, particularly some men were far more adventurous!! Quite a few of them found some rather fetching ladies dresses, scarves and hats to put on, which they did with gay abandon (rather too quickly in some cases!) 

After about an hour of frivolities and more Champagne we clambered back into the bus and headed out to The Beach house where we enjoyed a three course meal, followed by dancing!! The ‘best dressed’ person of the evening was ….. a cow!! Sensibly we didn’t stay until 1am but left at 11.45, I wouldn’t have liked to have been any of the men at the weighbridge dressed in drag trying to hail a taxi at 1.30am!!

It has been such a beautiful day today, thought I would just take Jess in the meadow and woods as still a little tired from last night’s activities! It was whilst I was scrambling over a tree trunk that I pierced my leg with a broken branch….not a smart move! Applying pressure to the wound (well, that’s what they do in the films) I realised I had no phone, so no calls for any back up assistance, neither was the dog any help, she just carried on chasing wildlife! 

Limping back to the house I had to administer my own first aid, and although initially it had bled rather a lot, it wasn’t as bad as it had first appeared. Good job too as I had my Keep Fit class at 10.30am, and then a couple of games of tennis to play!(Anyway, thought I'd give those white cells of mine a run for their money!)

After lunch hubby and I had long walk out around Seymour Tower, it was beautiful down on the beach. I had started to prepare a roast dinner before we left, which all 6 of us enjoyed tonight (and I didn’t have to wash up- bonus!)

A slightly different ‘quote’ tonight…..

"This June, I celebrated my 70th birthday.  Not unusual in itself; lots of folks do.  But, I am a 4-time cancer survivor.
My first cancer diagnosis at age 31 left me unable to bear more children.  As the youngest of three children, I thought three little ones would be great.  That was not to be and I felt so blessed to have one child.
Life goes on.  Except for periodic breast biopsies, I was healthy and active, faithful about checkups, for the next 20+ years.
At age 55, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a lumpectomy with axilary node dissection and radiation.  Physically, I healed quickly.  Emotionally it took longer, perhaps a year.  Over the next two years, a number of friends were also diagnosed with breast cancer and I became a soft-of unofficial support person for them.
In 2004, I was not feeling quite “right” and called the family doctor who ordered an ultrasound.  Within two hours of the procedure, I was told there was a mass in my pancreas, which was probably malignant.  In a mega second my life passed before me as I thought, “I guess this is it,” having heard that pancreatic cancer was inoperable.  Within two weeks I had surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
The following year was filled with treatment and healing.  In the middle of all this, my husband Bill and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary with a garden party that summer, surrounded by family and friends.  It was a validation of life, our doing that.  “Grab the moment.  Make it work.”  
(Sue and her husband Bill, pictured at right.)
Healing once again, I decided to do something new and signed up for ballet instruction. What a joy that was.  In January 2007, I took weekly lessons and was so happy with the experience; it was like walking on air, the elation I felt.
A routine mammogram in May of 2007,  just before my 66th birthday, brought me back to earth.  A cautious radiologist suggested further testing which confirmed a malignancy.  More appointments and testing ensued, followed by surgeries for a mastectomy and reconstruction.  All went well until I was told chemotherapy was highly recommended.  My mind simply would not, could not take it in.  Not again!!
Time and reason changed that.  I began treatments, which my body did not accept well.  With medical guidance and prayers and encouragement from loved ones, I persevered.  Eventually, my body healed and I began to “wake up” to new endeavors.  This year, I have earned sufficient hours to become a certified Master Gardener.
More importantly, I believe I am serving a greater purpose that only God knows for certain.  I’ll continue to live each day to its fullest and encourage others to do the same."
Written by
Sue McMorris