Friday, December 05, 2008

It's Christmas - where did the year go?

This year went so fast and so much happened that Matt and I barely had time to draw breath.

He DID finish the marathon - and thanks you all for your love and support. He was supposed write a note here but never got around to it. Needless to say I was incredibly proud and it was a funny moment
when, just before the finish line I squeezed my way to the front of the crowd where two nice, burly blokes let me stand and shout "I LOVE YOU MATT!!" as he passed - and they both joined in shouting "WE LOVE YOU MATT" as well.

After that we concentrated on getting back to normal (huh!) and I worked hard for my exam - a series of events leading up to it (including a trip tp A&E) meant that I was very nervous and stressed and although I passed my teaching component, I failed the theory. The good news is that I
retook it a few weeks ago and I'm now a Stott certified Mat and Reformer instructor.

We had a quick holiday in Barcelona which was wonderful but too short and then home to the maddess of planning a wedding at short notice. Not ours of course but Jayne and Joss finally tied the knot after 15 years - it was a wonderful time and lots of fun and love and laughter marked the celebration. (Some pics below).

Alas after the joy of that day we had just about recovered when my grandmother in Aus passed away so I had to make an emergency dash to go to the funeral - she had been sick for a long time and was quite old so in someways it was the best thing and it was a bittersweet time seeing the family.

We're so far managing to deal with the credit crunch, though you can never be too sure what around the corner - I've started working in a new pilates studio so we're trying our hardest to get new clients and while it's quiet around now due to Christmas we've pleasantly surprised - and with this experience behind me I may be able to get work in other places too.

So our Christmas this year will be spent with my Australian family in WA - it will be a new experience for Matt to have an Aussie Chrissie but we're looking forward to seeing everyone in happier times and getting some sun.

We're hoping that everyone has a happy 2009 - there's been some highs and lows that I've not been able to mention because they are not our stories although we've been involved in someway. So less of the extremes this time and let's see a new optimistic, but a bit more grounded New Year.

Merry Christmas one and all

Zoë xoxoxoxo




























Friday, March 28, 2008

26.2

This year is going quicker than Dwain Chambers on performance enhancing drugs. It's hard to believe that in two weeks my darling husband is going to run the marathon. He's been working so hard to get there and has been dealing with multiple injuries and aches and pains - but thanks to a decent support team (me and the cats, and family and a physio and personal trainer) and a lot of determination he's getting there. And I think will finish it - even if he takes all day.

A work colleague lent him the DVD of "Run Fat Boy Run" which was a bit mean but it did make us laugh and for Matt to realise that it's not about doing it in 4 hours but about achieving something incredible.

Please support him - he's doing it to raise money for the Marsden, but most importantly it's going to be an incredible achievement.

Z xx

Friday, March 07, 2008

The world keeps turning

I was reading Hystersisters the other day and felt very sad about a story of a 22 year old women who has to have surgery for her cancer and she found it hard to tell her parents. Not for the usual reasons but because they are deeply religious and her father does not believe in medical treatment. She has decided to go ahead, knowing it's the right thing for her but also knowing that he may disown her. I can't imagine how she must feel - cancer is isolating enough without being rejected by the people you need the most.

I've been feeling a bit bleurgh this week - not sure why. Perhaps it's something to do with my results - it's all good but I sometimes feel that it's never over. Perhaps it's because I've been reading more stories about more women who are dealing with cancer and all the crap it brings.

I'm disappointed in some of the people on Jo's - not the people I know and trust, but once again there's been bitchiness. Not so much public but it makes me feel sad that people can be so cruel. It's odd how things like that immediately transport you back to school and that feeling of realising that people can be really really nasty.

And of course as much as you want to change the world you realise that you can't change people - they can only change themselves and their own behaviour and they have to acknowledge that first.

Funny too how just typing this has made me feel better - to get it out of my head!!

Z x

Monday, March 03, 2008

Hospital results - good news

Have just got back from the hospital and the news is pretty good – my sehcat scan (the bile absorbency one) was the most normal they’d ever seen, bloods were fine. The polyp they removed was NOT cancerous (phew). I have got low level radiation damage which is the cause of my digestion issues – the not so good news is that I’ll have to watch my fibre intake forever, but can experiment a bit. Am thinking that I’m going to be conservative for a while and perhaps slowly add more fruit and veg, but not risk the pulses and wholegrains in the short/medium term. A bit relief though.

We love Dr Andreyev – you gotta love someone who you can talk to about poo without any hints of that mad Scottish bint called Gillian Mackeith, who really is full of ****.

Z xxx

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Marathons, the Marsden and Me

Matt reminded me how long it was since I've written - my mind has been on other things over the last few months which is probably a good thing. Christmas was a blur of cooking and present buying and wrapping and socialising just like it was for everyone else on the planet (who celebrates at that time of year).

I was glad it was over - although I love Christmas I found it particulary exhausting this time around. Still I loved hosting our first proper party in our house and will hopefully make it an annual event. We finished decorating the study which caused chaos but it's well worth it and is a room that is not only organised but a wonderful environment to work, create and study in.

The new year has brought fresh challenges and fresh energy for both me and Matt. He's started his marathon training in earnest (he's raising money for the Marsden which is the best hospital in the world and in need of support since the massive fire that's closed the ward I was in). I'm so proud of him!! We will be prodding people for sponsorship so be warned!! We were also relieved that Matt's company chose to renew his contract for another year - after a scary December when they announced and implemented cut backs.

I'm working really hard on the pilates and getting fitter and am looking forward to possibly having some work as an apprentice in April, as well as getting teaching practise in by teaching Matt and Jayne. I'm pondering whether to delay my exam until I have some more experience under my belt (it won't effect the job and in fact will be benefitted by the work so it's not a cop out!!). I'm really loving it but need to get my confidence up a bit.

But all this hard work means that we're a little anti social as we've both both to be slightly single minded and supportive of each other's efforts! It's lots of early starts and less alcohol!

I'm also trying to get my head around my new diet which is low fibre and of course opposite to anything I'm used to. I'm undergoing lots of tests because I have some issues with my guts which have arisen since radiotherapy. I have a lovely GI consultant who is being very helpful and a dietician who's helping me find the right balance. Things may change when all the tests are in but so far the difference is huge and I'm feeling better - and losing weight. I still have to be wary of the fatigue which can hit me like a train - but I'm working out how to balance being energetic and not overdoing it and am allowing my self rest days.

Finally more good news - my three monthly checkups have been upgraded to 6 months and I'm nearly at the 2 year cancer free mark. It's a fantastic feeling!!

Much love

Z xxxx