Well, who knew that there was still so much to come! You lost your darling husband as we all went into lockdown. A year later you had a stroke followed by a horrendous dose of shingles. Then a hip replacement that still hurts. And then last year?
The lump in the breast. Who knew?
You have to tell yourself to be prepared. To be brave. And you have been.
You have to tell yourself not to tell everyone your fine. Because you haven’t been.
You have to tell yourself that after the surgery, chemo and radiotherapy that even though everyone else thinks you’re ok, you’re not.
The hospital has been amazing but behind you are a thousand people waiting for the care you have had. Those amazing nurses and doctors have moved onto the next patient. And you are left here without a clue how to move on.
They don’t warn you about the weeping. They don’t warn you about how many people stop asking as they think you’re ‘cured’ now. They don’t tell you how alone you feel. You still have to go for injections and scans. You have to take tablets for the next 10 years. But people think you fine now.
Dear me, when this happens reach out. Or ask someone before it happens.
Ask for help. It helps. You are through the worst but it’s a hard slog. But you are a big brave soldier and you will get through it. You have to.
Dear me, please keep smiling
Sue Stolley
September 2026
