My birthday tomorrow

Not a significant one, other than it will be almost 5 years since my cancer was first diagnosed.

In the scheme of things 5 years doesn't seem a very long time, but to cancer patients it has a special significance as "survival" is defined as living for five years after the original diagnosis!

So I'm about to become an offical survivor, although breast cancer knows no such boundary and recurrence can occur years afterwards - the latest one I know of is seventeen years. I will remain on medication until at least the end of next year, and possibly beyond that depending on what drug options evolve in the interim.

So I'm very, very happy to chalk up another year, although it is still hard to look forward with any great confidence, but Nieves (who lives with Stage 4 incurable cancer) has taught me to keep sticking things in the diary and then when they appear on the horizon to just get on and do them.

I'm also proud that I've finally taken some risks in my life, whatever happens now I will never have cause to say, "If only......."

I may not be as well off as I once was, but I am richer than I've ever been.

And most importantly of all I've got my son from thirteen to eighteen, and I can't put into words what that means. He is infuriating, but that's good too, because it means he feels confident enough to rebel.

I'm also sad for the women I've known who haven't been so lucky. It is a long list, and they all tried very hard not to leave. So I feel I must try for them too, as to do otherwise would mean nothing has been be gained from this experience.

Anyway must dash, housework to be done and Nieves' garden to tidy.

Here's another gannet shot from yesterday