You know the saying…

A lot has happened these past 6-8 weeks.

At the end of the rope when it came to trying to re-integrate into the hectic, demanding 7-day-a-week responsibility of being News Director, failing at trying to negotiate a Part-Time alternative and really struggling with the prospect of walking away from the profession I’d thrived in for more than a decade – I made the difficult decision to resign.

This brief description barely scratches the surface really – but you can imagine – it was tough. Although my departure was made slightly easier by the fact that I’d been absent from the newsroom and station for the best part of a year, going in to remove my personal items was so hard. I stood in the chaotic, noise-filled (monitors/scanners/feeds etc.), but empty space – feeling like a foreigner. Cleaning out my desk was one thing – entering the sound-proof booth, with the panel, prompter and headphones I’d used on so many thousands of occasions brought me to tears. I’d reported on and presented so many stories over the years, this is where I’d done it for the past 6-or-so and now – I was leaving. I haven’t really been that angry at the cancer (okay – sometimes when limited physically) – but here I was feeling like it was forcing me out of my chosen career. I was sad, miserable in fact – and pissed off.

Within a few weeks, I’d accepted a fabulously interesting position with Cancer Council Queensland. The application process was entirely different to anything that I’d experienced in the performance and reputation based world of radio! As Cancer Action Co-ordinator I’ll be involved in promotion of prevention and early detection messages and campaigns.

Fancy that!

And – it’s Part-Time! So that time to really get back on my feet, maintain my fitness, keep writing, continue designing and dressmaking is now mine.

There’s more to come of course, but what I really want to share is that I feel incredibly blessed to have this opportunity. The organisation is doing such worthwhile work in cancer control – trying to lessen the burden of this hideous disease (through prevention and early detection, support and professional programs), whilst conducting research which may one day lead to a cancer free world. It’s very early days I know – but this feels like a good fit – I can use my professional skills as a communicator and my personal breast cancer experience to try and make a difference. Everyone in this organisation is dedicating their work life (and then some), to that mission. Lucky huh? Who would have thought?!

Spending a bit of time in the Far North was quite an experience.

We were looked after by our mates Jason and Jodee (who are expecting baby # 2 as I write this), and got to meet their toddler son Jake for the first time. (Sorry there’s no photo guys – can’t believe we didn’t snap one of us all together!)

Paul and I also stayed at their private sanctuary at Oak Beach – just lovely!

Along with getting in a fair amount of R & R, we also played tourist.

These images aside – how spectacular is our location of Mossman Gorge?!

We also caught up with my friend Nerida, her husband Phil (who funnily enough works at ABC radio) and her parents Ken & Bev. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen Nerida and Phil, but 20 years since I’ve seen her Mum & Dad! We had a terrific night and talked lots about their life in the tropical north as well as what’s become of the former members of Virginia State School Swimming Club!

A fitting title in memory of a woman with whom I’ve shared decent amounts of laughs and champagne over the years.

We’ll all miss you Janee.

As the U2 song rings in your ears – I’ll point out that I’m actually talking about chocolate (okay…and boobs!)

One of my ‘boob/cancer’ mates – Lori and her daughter Stacie thought these little gems would bring a smile to the dial.

They were right!

Dr D had commented during the expansion process that it was ‘just like being a teenage girl all over again’. Those words resonated as I went on the hunt for a new bra to hold the new ‘boobs’.

After no bra for months, surgery that has significantly changed my body shape, then the post-op/compression get-up for the last little while, I didn’t know where to start!

Rather than calling on my Mum to help (remembering back to the training bra fitting all those years ago…), I enlisted the help of my good friend Tania.

Although there was a considerate suggestion from the surgeon’s rooms that I go and see a ‘mastectomy specialist’, I just couldn’t do it. I wanted to just go and grab a bra off a rack like any other woman. The fitting process – was a whole other kettle of fish!
Tan was understanding of my hesitation, patient with my fussing and managed to crack a smile (followed by a big belly laugh!), when I looked in absolute shock when the sales assistant returned with a DD cup!

Not really.

Don’t take that the wrong way. There’s a tree (evidence below), presents and good cheer.

Festive is not the right word though.

After chatting to a couple of my ‘boob/cancer’ friends, I discovered each of us was doing the ‘this time last year………..’ thing. Some were undergoing treatment. Others – like me, were blissfully unaware our lives were about to change forever.

Thank goodness, I – and my new friends, have been able to trust in medical teams capable of giving hope at a time when it seems out of reach. Perhaps it’s really just a vivid reminder of what Christmas is all about? Not the intricately decorated tree, or the beautifully wrapped presents – but the basic notion of hope.

*As well as a very good lesson in what really matters, I did receive some really gorgeous prezzies this year, along with well wishes from some I may have been feeling a little ‘forgotten’ by. Sincere thanks for keeping the festive spirit alive, at a time when a severe case of Bah Humbug (or ‘what’s life really all about?’) was eroding my fun streak.