Things have been
quiet with my blog as the art project has taken over and has been keeping me
busy almost full time! Just five weeks until the exhibition opens in Aberdeen
on 12th June. Things have really taken shape and there is now a
website for the Project, check it out and also like and share our Facebook and
Twitter pages!
http://www.breathlessbreastlessproject.org/
Cancer Care.org and
Macmillan have shown interest in the project and have provided us with posters
and support material, Knitted Knockers – a group of volunteer knitters have
provided us with a pair of wonderful bright knitted knockers, a colourful
alternative to prosthesis or pads. Maggies Centre are displaying our posters
and promoting the Project online for us and will be sending a support volunteer
to our event.
I have been out and
about networking and contacting groups / organisations via e mail and Facebook
to promote the Project. I found myself at my first “Lunch & Learn – Meet
The Press” a few weeks ago, which was a valuable exercise learning how and when
to do press releases and provided the opportunity to meet the media from our
local area.
Away from the
project, life throws up it’s challenges from time to time. We had a worrying
time for a short period when Paul found a lump under his arm and the doctor
referred him to the hospital, who in turn wanted a biopsy and removal of the
lump under general anaesthetic. March 6th was the 18 month
anniversary of my mastectomy and I found myself sat at Paul’s bedside and
watching him be taken down to theatre. I am very happy to say that after a
stressful two week wait we received the news that the biopsy was benign and
nothing to worry about. That’s was of course a massive relief and serves as
another wakeup call as to how delicate this life can at times be when things
hang in the balance.
It was devastating
news to hear that Hannah, who was admitted to hospital on 10th
February and told that her cancer had spread, died yesterday morning from
advanced breast cancer. Hannah was first diagnosed just under two years ago and
had a mastectomy and chemotherapy and believed that her cancer had gone. In
February she found out the breast cancer was in her liver and her lungs,
inoperable and incurable. Hannah was 36 years old. The Breathless Breastless
Project is proud to be exhibiting two portraits of Hannah, who wished to share
her journey with the world.
Recent good news from
the genetics clinic, that I do not carry the BRCA1 or 2 mutation. This has a
big impact on future breast care for my daughters. It’s a huge relief that they
do not have to make decisions about their own genetic testing or the
consequences of a positive result. They are still said to be at moderate risk
of breast cancer in the future and I myself am at moderate risk of further
recurrences due to family history. As such the girls will be able to obtain
screening from around 35-40 rather than having to wait for the national
screening program at 50. We will all remain vigilant and do our monthly breast
checks.
Coppafeel is a
fabulous charity set up by Kris, who was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer
at 23. Kris has been living with the disease for five years. She continues to
spend time encouraging young people to be breast aware, through events at
Universities and festivals. Find out more on her website, sign up for a monthly
reminder to check your breasts - http://coppafeel.org/kris-story/
The Breathless
Breastless Project is hoping to take the exhibition to other UK venues next
year, if you know a venue near you that may be interested in the exhibition,
please let us know!
Must close for now, I
have the small issue of having to finish packing boxes for a house move in a
weeks time!