Tonight I’ll be speaking at an evening aimed at raising awareness re Breast Cancer, raising some money for research, and encouraging women to face life’s difficulties with faith and hope. Actually I can’t be definite that the last bit is the aim of the organisers, but I’ve made it one of mine.

My own experience with BC was a long time ago now (17 years – I can’t believe it!) but, unlike other things that happened more than a year ago, the memory remains clear. It helps that I have a daily reminder. The scarred, boob-less half of my chest and accompanying bloated lympheodemic arm is a dead give-away. And then there’s the giant rubber falsie that gets tucked into my bra… Ah, good times.

I’ve spoken to numerous women’s groups about my journey and the message always seems to go over well: they laugh, they cry, they groan. Afterwards there is always a stream of ladies wanting to share their own stories. Either they’ve had something similar, or they’ve just found a lump and are having tests, or their mother/sister/aunty/best friend had it or has it or died from it. Sometimes I feel guilty that I’ve survived when so many haven’t, especially if the cancer victim was a child. I remember speaking at a church camp years ago and someone prayed: Oh Lord, why did you take Jim and leave her? There wasn’t a resounding “Amen!” but I definitely heard some assenting murmurs.

For a few years I considered writing a memoir about it, but I had trouble getting past the first chapter. What’s more, every time I had another go some celebrity would put out a book about their cancer experience, and I’d think: Who’d want to read mine? Perhaps, one day when my books are best-sellers and they’ve been made into award-winning films, I’ll have another go. (Don’t hold your breath.)

Preparing for tonight has brought back a lot of memories; good and bad. It’s reminded me of just how much I have to be thankful for: a faithful, supportive husband; loving family and friends; fantastic medical care; false boobs in giant sizes, and a renewed appreciation for the wonders of life.

Take care out there. Life’s precious.