‘Walking with The Breast Cancer Beast’ is the title of my first ever blog. If I’m honest I’ve wanted to write a blog for a long time but never felt I had anything interesting to say and then suddenly WHAM, I have breast cancer! Pretty shitty news for anyone to receive, but seeking out the positives, it has given me something to write about. On a more serious note, I genuinely don’t care if anyone reads this or not, (if they do and it is helpful for them, I’ll be honoured) but I do have several personal reasons for doing it as well.
Firstly, I think it will be cathartic, a way of processing things as I go along, of forcing myself to recognise and acknowledge my fears, hopes, anger and anything else it may make me feel. I also hope there will be some humour along the way, there’s been a little already and I’m going to need some more to get me through!
Secondly, I am a regular user of social media and I like nothing more than a memory popping up on my timeline, but it doesn’t feel like the place to share these details, I don’t want to force cancer onto other people’s timelines whilst they’re having their breakfast, it might be too hard for them or too close to home.
Finally, I have some lovely friends and family abroad and from the very kind messages I’ve received so far, I think they will want to know how I’m getting on and this feels like the perfect forum to let them know.
So, that’s the why and for those that may read this who don’t know me (yet) here is a little bit about me.
I am 48 years old (apparently relatively young in breast cancer terms – I’ll take that) and have a fantastic husband Dave and two gorgeous boys Max (aged 12) and Joe (aged 10). It was my oldest boy Max who nicknamed the cancer ‘The Breast Cancer Beast’ or BCB as he calls it. I think it’s his way of avoiding having to say the scary word and to be honest I see where he’s coming from.
I love life, people and experiences and I have always tried to make the most of every opportunity. I do everything fast – eat, talk, walk and drive (not necessarily the best option I know) I can’t help it. I’m organised and productive and like to plan, oh how my life is going to change for the foreseeable future……
I’ve entitled this blog ‘Walking with The Breast Cancer Beast’ as metaphorically I think that is what I’ll be doing. I’ll be walking hand in hand with it for a while and then hopefully we will reach a cross roads. It will go one way and I will go the other, with the hope being that our paths don’t cross again in the future. It is not lost on me that when it leaves me, it will undoubtedly grab someone else’s hand for the next part of its journey and that makes me sad but I can only concentrate on my own journey right now.
Over the next few days I will go right back to the beginning, until I catch myself up to present day. Feel free to join me or just dip in and out as you please, just one disclaimer to make…..all grammatical errors are entirely my own!
Walking with 'The Breast Cancer Beast' 
Brilliant Karen you are an inspiration xxx
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Karen, aside from the actual reality of the subject matter, you write beautifully! I’m already hooked! And if it’s not too weird a thing to say, I am looking forward to reading more! Sending you big love Xx
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I’ll be following you Karen, who knows who the bastard beast is after next 😬. I’ve always loved seeing your Facebook posts, as a mother of two boys too I’m inspired by the fun times you’re all having and I share your pleasure in making the most of every moment. I’ll be cheering you on and thinking of you when things are poop! Hugs 🤗 Katie xx
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Great idea Kaz x
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Karen what an amazing thing to do, I will follow you blog as already I know it will be very inspiring.
It’s a long time since we have seen each other but still have so many fond memories of growing up together!!
Would love to see you.
Sending a huge hug xxx
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My brave and beautiful friend-good on you Kaz……you’ve always been an inspiration to me, and my ‘go to’ for parenting know how, and now this……..very proud of you, and we’re with you every step of the way xx
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Absolutely fabulous you are a remarkable lady and I feel so fortunate to have you as a friend . Although it’s only been a few years since you walked into our shop with your wonderful family you always had a lovely aura about you kind funny friendly chatty and always so happy . I have always enjoyed your Facebook posts as I myself love posting everything and also looking at what everyone else is doing . I will look forward to reading your blog everyday. You are a truly inspiring lovely lady and I feel privileged to have met you if only the world was full of more of you the world would be a better place . Love you lots and just be you xx you will beat this xxx
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Very much hoping that crossroads is just round the corner & you go your separate ways really soon…….. 💕💕💕
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With you all the way 💖
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Even though I haven’t known you for long you are an inspiration. I am with you all the way ❤️
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Nice.
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I wish you didn’t have to write this, but love your approach & all the reasons you are. I’ll be following you avidly. And I expect you to make me laugh, obvs. No pressure. Xxx
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Good on ya gal – hold your head up high – we’re all with you xxx
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🤭💖💖💖
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Karen ionly wish your first blog could have been about something completely different ,I will be following all blogs and the one I am looking forward to most of all is the one that’s talks about you having the all clear you have a beautiful family you will get through this with love support and most of all positivity xx
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Karen I only wish your first blog could have been about something completely different I will be following all of your blogs , the one I am most looking forward to is the one that talks about you having the all clear, you have a beautiful family and with all the love support and positivity you will beat this beast xxx
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Can you drive fast in a Jazz Karen? You constantly surprise me 🤣
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Hell Yes!
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What makes me feel very sad and very happy is that this is so open and honest and so you!
Let’s share this blip together. We are going to beat you BCB (BSD loved an acronym, didn’t it?). Stay strong and your lovely positive self. Xxxxxx
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Karen, This is incredibly brave. Sadly this is a topic that touches far too many but your blog is quite inspirational, My daughter ( technically step daughter) was diagnosed 2016 she has been enormously brave and resolute. I think when going through Kemo was the time when she appeared most down with the loss of her hair. Although when we sorted some decent wigs she was extremely pragmatic. Anyway I suppose this is a way of saying that Whilst I can never fully appreciate how you feel especially in the small hours I have some idea of how your husband and the boys may feel. I think this is a great way of expressing your journey and I think I am about to ramble on but take care and I look forward to reading about the all clear. X
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Thanks so much Ivan, it’s great to hear the good news stories at a time like this so i’m pleased your daughter is doing well. I’ll be sure to post the ‘all clear’ when it comes x
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Hi Karen – just wanted to say what a strong lady you are and how eloquently you write , I am following your journey and feeling helpless and powerless to do anything to help but what I can say is knowing all those who I have known who have beaten this bastard disease it can be done and positive mental attitude is what gets them through – you have that in spades and are clearly surrounded with an army of friends and family to stand by as you kick this cancer into touch – keep fighting and I will keep following x
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Lovely words and support from afar Ann, that’s enough for me – thank you x
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