
Silver linings
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”
About this page:
I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer on August 3, last year (2020). I found writing cathartic and was determined to live my best life through each day – the days when I felt fine and those dark days when treatment challenged me to the core. Now the spoiler, I have finished my cancery detour with the best possible prognosis. And can only thank the amazing doctors, nurses, radiologists and receptionists for the very best care.
I will be forever grateful for the love and support of family, friends and colleagues. I have never felt so loved. Kindness is everything xxx
And I am here if anyone needs to chat or has a question (lynetteandmark@hotmail.com)
Blog posts
Part 1: With great optimism, comes some crushing disappointment August 2020
Part 2: Treatment begins August 7, 2020 – Lumpectomy and port-o-cath
Part 3: Getting ready Preparing for chemo
Part 4: And so it begins August 26, 2020 – First chemo: Lynette 1 – Chemo 0
Part 5: Resources Useful links and books for those newly diagnosed
Part 6: Reality strikes Not just a walk in the park
Part 7: The Wigley diaries September 2020 – Adventures of a wig
Part 8: It has a happy ending December 2020 – Getting to the end of chemo
Part 9: The ultimate Christmas Gift December 23, 2020 – Reflections on the end of chemo
Part 10: Post chemo – the road to recovery (almost) January 2021 – The dark before the dawn
Part 11: Ready for radiation January 2021 – Feeling grateful
Part 12: Radiotherapy – Star Trek experience January 27, 2021 – Logistical inconvenience rather than health intrusion
Part 13: The end of treatment – February 15, 2021 – Pure joy in recovery
Six months on – my new normal
Today marks a full six months since my last chemo treatment. I find it incredible.
I feel amazing. It sometimes feels like it was another person, another life, when I reflect on what happened last year.
My goal was that cancer didn’t take anything from me. And it didn’t. I had a few weeks where I felt truly enlightened that I would lead a better life thanks to the insights of being so very unwell. I truly believed that I would find the Nirvana of balance! They were nice weeks, but actually, I have reverted back to the life I had before. Of working too hard and constantly battling to have balance. Of loving my job. Of loving my life…
Perspective
On an anniversary like today, I feel deep joy and gratitude that my cancery detour showed me how amazing the people in my life are; showed my strength and positivity; and taught me what really matters. I have wonderful friends, family and colleagues who showed me such friendship and support.

So yes, I am back on the hamster wheel (currently with a second interim role as acting head of branding for Siemens overall), so the wheel is spinning fast. But now, when ever I feel very frustrated or anxious about something, I do catch myself and can let it go, with something of a new perspective.
Tomorrow, I have a call with a journalist as I will feature in Siemens Healthineers to feature in their Breast Cancer awareness campaign in October. I am so excited to be able to contribute to something so important.
Once more, if you are reading this and haven’t had a check up that you should have, please pick up the phone to book it. Catching it early made my cancery tale one with a happy ending xxx
Post script:
I know it’s only hair…
There is one caveat – and I need to share it for anyone else looking for guidance. Losing your hair is rubbish. And then having to deal with it growing back soooooooo slowly and looking in the mirror at various stages of short is really hard.
I don’t think you could imagine unless you’ve been there. Yes – it gets longer every day. Yes – it is better than being bald. Yes – it isn’t as bad as chemo. But it’s hard. I feel back to being me, but I am reminded every time I see myself in the mirror (or more often on a Teams call) that I was ill. And I have to wait for probably another year before I look in the mirror to see the me I would like to see. I am just getting on with it and I do appreciate everyone telling me short hair suits me, but I just don’t like it.
I finally said goodbye to Wigley in April – she was amazing, but it got to the point where I couldn’t remember which calls I had a wig on, which when it was off… quite liberating, but I miss that ‘comfort blanket’! Looking for the positive, it ensures that I have to lose any vanity I may have had!
Image gallery
80s boob tube Stay-cation hike in Davos Port-a-cath in Chemo #2 Recovery between Imelda Marcos of scarves Wigley ready for the office
- Part 14: A new normalToday marks a full six months since my last chemo treatment. I find it incredible. I feel amazing. It sometimes feels like it was another person, another life, when I reflect on what happened last year. My goal was thatContinue reading “Part 14: A new normal”
- Part 13: The end of my cancery taleThe happiest ending I can remember sitting in my gynaecologist’s office in early August talking about a likely treatment plan and counting on my fingers and thinking ahead to today. So, after a lumpectomy; insertion of a port-a-cath; two roundsContinue reading “Part 13: The end of my cancery tale”
- Part 12: Radiotherapy – Star Trek experienceNow I am in the middle of radiotherapy – not quite literally, but almost. So, on 27 January, I can report that my energy levels are right where they were before I started chemo (and I am quite high energyContinue reading “Part 12: Radiotherapy – Star Trek experience”