AJ's Cancer Journey & Chronic Illness: December 2018

It's been a month and I'm still very uncomfortable sleeping and sitting, wish I'd bought one of those full body pillows now! But I'm managing half an hour laying on my side now, so I'm improving slowly. My external scars are almost healed now, just a few little scabs at the edges of both chest scars and middle of tummy scar. My belly button now looks more like it should too.

I've had a few lovely friends visit me recently, thank you all so much Lizzie, Zoë Sam and Naomi, you kept me sane! Lizzie and Zoë came over with a lovely gift from my theatre group Seaton Starlights, and such a thoughtful gift from them all for someone with new boobs at last! A nice sized gift voucher to spend on underwear, how amazing is that! I can't wait till spring so I can get measured and pick some lovely pretty new underwear, I'm so excited! Thank you all so much. And break a leg for Spamalot this week, I miss you all! Gutted I can't come and watch. Xx

I've been struggling with sleep a lot the last few weeks, I just can't sleep well on my back at all. The only time I get some sleep is with alcohol, but I'm not a big drinker anymore, so only once or twice a week I sleep! I've tried everything from sprays to sleep music and nothing helps!

I still struggle with the tummy tightness after eating, no matter how much I eat, I feel like I have an elastic band around me. I can stand up straight now, but I still can't stretch or carry much weight yet. But I'm a third of the way through my recovery period, so I'm getting there slowly but surely.

I've started walking around a thousand steps a day now, increasing a little every day. I learnt the hard way as one day I went straight up to three thousand steps and was in agony for a few days!

Have a great December and keep positive, and just in case I don't blog again this year, Have a very a merry Christmas and a happy New year! xxx 😘 ❤️