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A bit of a health update (and hopefully some reassurance) from me
**helen**
Deactivated Posts: 9,235 Supreme Poster
in General Chat
Hi all :wave:
This is a tricky post to write as so much has happened in the last few months - both in terms of my health and with YouthNet more generally - so it's hard to know where to start. However, I've known some of you longer than some of my best friends, so it's important to me to let you know what's going on - I've seen you all through some ups and downs and continue to do so - and although I'm a professional
I do respect you enough to trust you with this information.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer back in the summer. I didn't see it coming, but it does run in the family so wasn't entirely a shock. Luckily early intervention and good breast awareness means it was caught early - for those of you who might be familiar with terminology around this, it was stage two and it didn't reach my lymph nodes which was an incredible relief. So I had surgery fairly quickly to remove the tumour - the operation was successful and although I'm not fully recovered, I'll use that word lucky again - because that's really how I feel a lot of the time at the moment.
So right now I'm in the treatment stages to catch any remaining cells and to help prevent a recurrence. I've had my first dose of chemotherapy and unfortunately it's been a really rough ride. The good news I've been well looked after and the sessions happen in three week cycles, so I have low weeks and better weeks. I'm on my way to a better week as we hit Christmas which I couldn't be happier about.
What this does of course mean though is that I really have to work hard on my self care for the next 6 months while this treatment continues. Lots of healthy food, early nights and not over doing it at work. This means there will be times when I'm just not well enough to be around. Already you'll probably have noticed I'm not on the boards anywhere near as often - as that isn't just a health thing, that's also to do with my role at YouthNet, I do a lot more behind the scenes to help ensure projects are running smoothly and that we are meeting targets for funding. However, at this point - there may be weeks at a time when I'm not in chat/replying to PMs etc - please don't take it personally.
Finally though, if I AM online, that's because I'm well enough to be and so you needn't worry about me - it means I'm well and smiley and ready to rock in my TheSite hat :yes:
Thanks for reading lovelies. It really is a pleasure to work with you all and I look forwards to chats with you soon.
And now here's a video that will either make you laugh, or remind you of what a child I am. If no-one else appreciates it - I'm sure Emmy will...
This is a tricky post to write as so much has happened in the last few months - both in terms of my health and with YouthNet more generally - so it's hard to know where to start. However, I've known some of you longer than some of my best friends, so it's important to me to let you know what's going on - I've seen you all through some ups and downs and continue to do so - and although I'm a professional
I do respect you enough to trust you with this information.I was diagnosed with breast cancer back in the summer. I didn't see it coming, but it does run in the family so wasn't entirely a shock. Luckily early intervention and good breast awareness means it was caught early - for those of you who might be familiar with terminology around this, it was stage two and it didn't reach my lymph nodes which was an incredible relief. So I had surgery fairly quickly to remove the tumour - the operation was successful and although I'm not fully recovered, I'll use that word lucky again - because that's really how I feel a lot of the time at the moment.
So right now I'm in the treatment stages to catch any remaining cells and to help prevent a recurrence. I've had my first dose of chemotherapy and unfortunately it's been a really rough ride. The good news I've been well looked after and the sessions happen in three week cycles, so I have low weeks and better weeks. I'm on my way to a better week as we hit Christmas which I couldn't be happier about.
What this does of course mean though is that I really have to work hard on my self care for the next 6 months while this treatment continues. Lots of healthy food, early nights and not over doing it at work. This means there will be times when I'm just not well enough to be around. Already you'll probably have noticed I'm not on the boards anywhere near as often - as that isn't just a health thing, that's also to do with my role at YouthNet, I do a lot more behind the scenes to help ensure projects are running smoothly and that we are meeting targets for funding. However, at this point - there may be weeks at a time when I'm not in chat/replying to PMs etc - please don't take it personally.
Finally though, if I AM online, that's because I'm well enough to be and so you needn't worry about me - it means I'm well and smiley and ready to rock in my TheSite hat :yes:
Thanks for reading lovelies. It really is a pleasure to work with you all and I look forwards to chats with you soon.
And now here's a video that will either make you laugh, or remind you of what a child I am. If no-one else appreciates it - I'm sure Emmy will...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg66j0fUbUk0
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Comments
So sorry to hear what you're going through.
" So I say thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing, thanks for all the joy they're bringing, who can live without it, I ask in all honestly what would life be? Without a song or a dance, what are we? So I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me "
'' It's a beautiful day and I can't stop myself from smiling "
What butterfly said
" So I say thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing, thanks for all the joy they're bringing, who can live without it, I ask in all honestly what would life be? Without a song or a dance, what are we? So I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me "
'' It's a beautiful day and I can't stop myself from smiling "
Hope you feel better soon xx
Looking for your own purpose
Then you became a butterfly, a butterfly
I knew you always would''
- James Arthur (YOU)
Really means a lot, thanks Whispers.
Really kind, every message makes me smile.
That's lovely to hear-I really hope you are completely well and recovered again soon
That's good to hear Helen, we'll all be thinking of you x
Hope your doing ok! *hug*
Keep strong and wish you well xxx
Lots of Love Xxxx
Just a wee update, I've finished chemotherapy prematurely because of the pressure it was having on my organs. So I'll be starting radiotherapy shortly - impressed with your knowledge.
Thanks for a great GC last night to you and all who attended.
**Helen**
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Wow Helen, I don't know what to say... This is a huge shock but nothing compared to how you must have felt when you first found out. I'm really sorry. These horrible diseases seem to hit the nicest of people. How are you doing now? How is the treatment going?
I really respect and admire your honesty with us all because you didn't need to be this open with us all. But we love you and we care! You do so much for us and now it's time to repay the favour.
Praying for you Helen and sending you lots of hugs xx
Thanks for your reply, was pleased to hear from James and Co that you were back :yes:
All is well - I've finished my radiotherapy and now just getting used to the side effects of other medication I'll need to take for a good few years to keep the cancer at bay. Slowly getting back to normal :d All the messages I've had like this have really kept my spirits up - so big thanks to all!