The dreaded bucket list...

One of my biggest internal struggles on my cancer journey has been with the sometimes exciting, but largely depressing, notion of a bucket list.

My choosing to have, or not to have, a bucket list would change every few weeks. But I realise now, the weeks when I was pro-bucket list I was convincing myself that ‘living in the moment’ and ‘making the most of life’ were phrases that instilled purpose and happiness in a time of uncertainty and sadness. However, when thinking about what I would write on my bucket list, I did not feel like I had purpose and I definitely did not feel happy. Instead, I felt defeated, upset, and I felt like I was dying.

For me, a bucket list was a reminder of what I could not have.

New Facebook page

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all the support you have shown this blog and, in turn, me.

Because I have had such a positive response to 'Dear Melanoma', I have started a Facebook page to work alongside this blog. Not only will I post links to new blog entries, but I will be able to share everyday thoughts and feelings that don't warrant an entire blog.



Here is the link:

www.facebook.com/dearmelanoma1

I hope you enjoy.

My irrational green-eyed monster

A few weeks ago I went to my first melanoma support group meeting.

Attending a support group meeting is something I never thought I would do. It is something that I was scared of.

I was scared that I would potentially be faced by what would be my future. I was worried that we would be sitting around in a circle discussing our treatment and our feelings. I was worried that I would begin to compare my journey with others. I was worried that I would be bombarded with suggestions of crazy diets that will cure my cancer or distant lands that promise remission. And, I was worried that the green-eyed monster that has appeared in the last few months would thrive.

Our love story: Serge's version...

Now to introduce Serge’s version of our ‘love story’.

Serge has given me permission to share this, but what he doesn’t know is that I have chosen to point out the inaccuracies in his story. Hopefully I won’t get in too much trouble!

I am sure after reading this post, and my previous posts, you will agree that I am so lucky to have found Serge. I think Serge was put on this earth to be my rock, my support, and my light. Serge brings so much happiness to each day, even during the lowest of lows. 

Enjoy!

Our love story: my version...

As promised in my last post, I am sharing with you my version of our 'love story'.

My version of our ‘love story’…

Serge knew the majority of my family for a year or so before we even met. However we officially met at my sister and brother-in-law’s, Ashlee and Shane. I was home from Timor Leste with dengue fever and was taking the opportunity to spend as much time as possible with my niece and nephew.

Planning a wedding when juggling a terminal diagnosis

As promised, I have written a blog dedicated to sharing Serge and my ‘love story’, and what better way then to share our wedding day.

Serge and I got engaged four months into our whirlwind relationship. We started discussing where our relationship was heading after I had been diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma – a diagnosis that would see us experience what most couples wouldn’t experience in 30 plus years of marriage.

A successful event to launch 'Dear Melanoma'

Last weekend, with the help of a dear friend Rebecca Sparrow, I launched this new blog ‘Dear Melanoma’ with a lovely fundraising morning tea.

It is only appropriate that I share the success of the event here.

We had over 200 people attend the event. And although I do not have the final fundraising figure, it is with much excitement that I can share with you that we raised more than $11000.