A happy ending

/ Ceri's blog

The trouble with feeling so well is that I end up far too busy to update my blog! It’s all good news. I had a CT scan last week, met the oncologist yesterday who told us that all the scans show no sign of cancer. Deirdre is a distant memory and this is my final post.

I have to meet my oncologist every 3 months for the next year, then every 6 months for another year then finished. I don’t need any more scans unless I report something unusual.

We read a poster at the hospital yesterday pointing out how beneficial exercise is for cancer patients in recovery. I think we’ve got that covered! Two weeks ago we walked up from sea level to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar and I was hardly even breathless. We’ve joined a local outdoor swimming club and Neil and I swim most mornings. I’m cycling further and further on my electric bike and the gardening is going well. We’re back singing with the choir and joining them in the pub afterwards, so life is pretty much back to normal. The blues episode I mentioned in the last post never came back, probably because I can do pretty much everything I did before. I’m just loving life and getting fitter although I do have a way to go to get back to the fitness level I had before. I’m now training for a 55 mile cycle ride fundraising for our local Force cancer charity. I haven’t set up a link to the fundraising page yet, so there will be one more post here.

I’ve recently stopped wearing my wig as there seems no need. I’m moving on from the ‘woman with attitude’ shaved look to the Annie Lennox look which I like. This isn’t a very flattering photo but you get the gist.

Someone asked me this morning if this experience has changed my attitude to life and I answered that it hasn’t. It had already changed. Meeting Neil did that. (driving our old cars to The Gambia in January 2010) And we have lived our lives to the full ever since. During these last 8 years we’ve enjoyed some pretty big adventures which most of you know about. We’ve loved our friends, our families, our travels, our hobbies and interests, and now our shared home. We had the most amazing wedding in Culmstock last September and all this Deirdre episode has done is give us a rather quiet winter and the assurance of how much we mean to each other.

Neil promised me a calm and quiet cruise at the end of the treatment, but no need! We went skiing instead. Ha ha. Such has been the rate of my recovery. I’m a very, very lucky lady.

We’ve had the most uplifting and unconditional support from everyone who knows us, and even those who don’t – friends, family, colleagues, choir, locals and friends from all over the world. It’s been a journey, but the challenge was never too great. We felt a genuine positivity throughout. We’re about to book tickets for a few months in Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand and have 6 weeks immediately ahead of us driving the camper van around France and Spain.

Thanks everyone for your support. We’ll never forget your encouragement and love.

Ceri and Neil

16 thoughts on “A happy ending”

  1. Ceri, such happy, happy news! I’m thrilled for you both, and for your families. Sending love to you all, but especially you, Ceri. XxX
    PS loving the hair!!! Still blonde, no grey!!!

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  4. Lovely to hear Ceri – thank you so much for your honest, funny and uplifting blogs – you are looking amazing. All good wishes to you both as you resume your adventures and cherish one another. Hilary

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  7. Fantastic news. 👍❤️
    Enjoy your travels…. would be lovely to catch up and
    see you once the adventures quieten down a tad!!
    Lots of love
    Justine xxx

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  8. So, so happy for you both… you have been true champions throughout all of it. Deidre never stood a chance! Your positivity and resilience have been an inspiration to us all! Lots of love to you both xxx

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  9. Such lovely and wonderful reading Ceri. Congratulations! Mind you, I’m sure much of the rapid recovery is down to your amazing determination and positive outlook. So many reasons to celebrate!

    We are looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday.
    Love H

    Sent from my iPad

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  11. Ceri, you look fabulous!

    I’m not sure that we’ve ever met (I’m an FMS Trustee & Volunteer so know Neil), but I have really enjoyed reading your blog. Thank you so much sharing so candidly and with such good humour.
    I’m delighted for you both and love the sound of all your adventures!

    Keep enjoying life!

    Cara

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  12. Hi Ceri

    So glad to read that you have such good news, good luck with the fitness I have no doubt that you will achieve your goals.

    All the best

    Julie xx

    Julie Pullen

    College Surgery, Cullompton.. practice number 78
    juliepullen@nhs.net

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  14. So beautifully eloquent, as always.
    You deserve all the luck you have enjoyed, I would call it your very, very positive attitude. Happy travels.
    J and P x

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  15. What a journey – in so many ways. You look radiant , and so you should! Enjoy your next adventures together. Pete and I currently moored off Minorca on our boat xxxxxx

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  16. Fantastic news you inspirational lady! All the very best for now and beyond for you both.
    Let me know when you are coming to Oz and I’ll try and catch up. Love Bods.

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