2013 - see ya!

Without a doubt, this has been the most difficult year I have endured but as always I look back in reflection and stand tall with what I have learnt to take me into the next year with great anticipation.

I had grade one Melanoma confirmed on the 19th of December. The official diagnosis is Invasive Superficial Spreading Melanoma BUT the Surgeon did a good job carving my thigh up and took a big enough hunk that they are confident they got all the tumor. Phew! Yes, I had cancer and its the 3rd biggest killer in NZ but it hasn't got me. I'm not out of the woods yet as I still have to have every millimeter of my body checked for more. I am realistic in that statistically there will be more and I'll take each one in my stride. I will be religious in my quarterly skin checks, and I'm paranoid about the evil sun rays so staying in the shade or smothered in 45 SPF sunscreen with my sunnies and hat eases my mind.
It was a huge fright, and I had all sorts of worries running through my mind waiting on the diagnosis but the biggy was I really wasn't ready to die or even be slowed down with treatment. I re found my energy moving back down here and I would have been bummed to have been shot down as I was getting restarted!

My mothers terminal illness and the love my father shows her is bitter sweet. I wouldn't dream of being anywhere else but here, and me and my Labrador pooch are enjoying being back.

Thank you to everyone who has been so amazingly supportive of us here, in Christchurch and around the world. You are what keeps me smiling, and looking forward to a new year with all it's swings and roundabouts with all of you. Because life is for living, rip into it!

Good riddance 2013, and rock on 2014 :-)

Happy New Year Everyone! x