We had such a lovely weekend, Friday night we went to a fantastic restaurant with a wonderful lady (and her husband) that I met the night before my AP resection 7 years ago. We became good friends having been thrown together at the most awful and lowest time of our lives. We were both patients of the same surgeon, his only patients on the ward. We spent 10 days bonding over a shared experience.
My friend, bless her had a far tougher time than I did, and although I had a fair few complications after surgery I was able to go home and get on my way to recovery.
So it's a very special celebration that both of us have now passed our 7 year all clear marker! Technically it's not till July but I had my final annual, yes, I said annual check up last week. I will still have to have a colonoscopy every 5 years forever, which unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you view check ups) is next year. I'm happy to have one, I would rather have one every year if I could prevent going through all this again.
It's a very surreal feeling to know that after next year I won't have another check up for 5 years. I might well book them privately in future, just to be on the safe side.
I'm very blessed, very lucky and I absolutely appreciate it, I'm full of gratitude that I have had this outcome.
The things I have leant along the way, these past 7 years are immeasurable. When I think back to the frail, frighten 36 year old me I was back then and then to the confident, strong me I've become it seems incredible. I've learnt about human behaviour, some bad but thankfully mostly good. I've experienced kindness of nigh on strangers and sadly the abandonment by some family members. We really have experienced the lows life sometimes has to offer but more overwhelmingly the extreme highs and more important than any of it - Love.
Ok, I don't think I'll ever have that peace of mind that I had before all this went wrong but I'm positive and upbeat naturally and again I'm very grateful for that. My absolute rule now is 'If in doubt - check it out' better safe than sorry and all that. I advise that to anyone and everyone too.
Our Friday night celebration was absolutely fantastic! Virgin mojitos and new beginnings!
I chose this outfit as it's so easy to eat in. The fabric is stretchy, which always gives me that little added peace of mind to eat leak free.
My friend, although she had a difficult time post surgery only had to have a temporary stoma for a few months, but being put back together after stoma surgery can have its issues too, so she's very careful with what she eats. Which actually makes having a permanent colostomy handy as it matters not one jot if something disagrees with me, I'm bagged and good to go!
Top from Lacoste, Skirt from Marks and Spencer, Bag from Aspinal, and my gorgeous new celebration of 7 years clear shoes from Valentino.
Then saturday was incredible too! Firstly it was the hottest day of the year so far, which was amazing, us Brits lose our freaking minds for a glimpse of sunshine...I rather cleverly sun tan creamed my legs and arms but forgot to do my neck and chest, rather predictably and bloody annoyingly I got burnt.
We spent the day at Point to Point racing with my best friend since birth, Stephen, his gorgeous wife Jacq and their 2 adorable boys. It was such a lovely day. I love our get togethers with our families, some of the best times are with us all. And who doesn't love picnics in the sun...well I probably shouldn't as I usually get stung or bitten by something outdoorsy...including this time, I now have a lovely lot of bites on my legs ready for our holiday on monday.
Top From Primark, Gilet from Crew clothing, Jeans from Topshop, Wellies (Wellington boots / Gum boots/ rain boots) from Le Chameau. Picnic rug from my work Neptune Colchester.
My Joni jeans from Topshop are fantastic! I'm loving the stretch they give. I felt comfy and confident all day.
With all the gang. I love these people so much!
We are so lucky to have so many wonderful friends (not all pictured here).
I'm not totally sure how it's happened that we are surrounded by the best people on the planet but I'm very grateful for each and every one of them. The last 7 years wouldn't have been the same without them that's for sure....you know who you are. xxxx