I laced the bodice of my Dirndl tightly, bringing my breasts to a state of perfection as they all but burst from my dress. I hadn’t worn my traditional Oktoberfest dress for months and I pondered how insane I was as I covered my delectable breasts with my coat and stepped out into the snow. … Continue reading Starkbierfest
Author: Jessica
I'm an Australian roaming the world and now living in Luxembourg.
In November 2018 I was diagnosed with stage three invasive ductal carcinoma. Serious breast cancer.
After eight months of brutal treatment including chemotherapy, a unilateral mastectomy and radiotherapy, it's time to rebuild my life, my health and self esteem.
I've found the perfect recovery - swimming. I'll swim long and far and in interesting places while I try to put my life back together.
Return to work
After closure comes the new start. For me this was going back to work. In Luxembourg, they have a progressive return to work program. It means that while you’re still on sick leave, you go back to work part time and build up at your own pace until you’re ready for full time work. I … Continue reading Return to work
Closure
It wasn’t just me who had to deal with cancer. My sister flew from Australia to Luxembourg twice to be with me during chemotherapy. The last time I saw Jenni I was finishing my fourth round of soul-destroying EC chemo and starting the eight week brutality of Taxol chemotherapy. I was bald, listless, depressed, incapacitated … Continue reading Closure
12 months of cancer
It’s been a while since I’ve written because I knew what was coming and I’m not sure that I’ve got the courage for it. It’s time to talk about her but it’s difficult. I look at photos of her and it still makes me weep. It breaks my heart to see her, to remember her. … Continue reading 12 months of cancer
Anniversaries, scanxiety and colonic irrigation
Cancer is full of anniversaries. Shout out a date and I’ll be able to associate it with something cancer related, but this was the big one. One year since diagnosis. One year since the world titled on its axis and sent me hurtling straight to hell. A not so gentle reminder of the last 14 … Continue reading Anniversaries, scanxiety and colonic irrigation
A weighty issue
A month in Turkey left me glowing. Revitalised. So much stronger, fitter, healthier and happier than I’ve been in months. My skin glowed, my cheekbones were visible, my eyes bright, my stomach flatter. I walked straighter, I smiled and radiated health. My cravings had disappeared, I wasn’t being ruled by food, happily making good food … Continue reading A weighty issue
Fethiye Flashbacks
I hear yahooing above me as I climb the steep slope to the hotel. I see a group of men on scooters animated about something and wait until they ride away… not the sort of situation I want to enter. I continue up the hill until I get to the bend and find myself facing … Continue reading Fethiye Flashbacks
It was fate
I swam around an island! I am amazing! If that weren’t incredible enough, it was called Shark Island! And for something spectacular, I did it from a boat! Knowing of my crippling shark phobia and my debilitating motion sickness may make this more impressive. I swam around an islandI'm on a boat When I decided … Continue reading It was fate
Juicy Mountain Magic
We have climbed to Limestone Plateau to release our cares to the imp of the mountain. Our yogi tells us that limestone absorbs negative emotions and if we ask, we may leave ours with the little man in the silver jacket. “It may be comfortable, it may be other, whatever”, Kenny intones. I lie on … Continue reading Juicy Mountain Magic
Juicy Mountain Recovery
The sheep baa in the distance as I shuffle away from the meditation platform shrouded in a grey and white blanket. I look back at those shuffling behind me, similarly cloaked in their grey and white blankets and giggle. “I don’t know why they think we’re a cult.” Laughter rings out, breaking the solemnity. Not … Continue reading Juicy Mountain Recovery
