This may come as a shock to some readers and I can only apologise, however I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October, I had a mastectomy on the 12th November, lymph node clearance on 12 December and I started Chemotherapy on the 11th February.  I am very positive about my diagnosis, many people are praying for me for which I am very grateful and this is making a huge difference in mine and my family's life as we feel the presence of God and the power of that prayer. My cancer has been removed and I am undergoing chemo and radiotherapy to kill off any stray cancer cells which may be lurking and will have a very good long term prognosis at the end.

With the onslaught of chemo I was losing my hair.  I usually give up alcohol or chocolate for Lent but I am off both at the moment.  My hair needed to be shaved and by coincidence Ash Wednesday is the day my lovely hairdresser, Gemma, could do it so it is gone.  My sister Sarah and Murray can vouch for this and afterwards Sarah and I went into town and we have had our ears pierced.  I have never had mine pierced as my Mother told me that if God had meant me to have holes in my ears he would have made me with them.  Both my younger sisters ignored her and my Mum had hers pierced at 50.  At nearly 55 I am catching up, I always thought it would be too painful but after what I have been through in the last few months it was small fry!  

I have many blessings in my life, a very loving and supportive husband Murray, 2 lovely children, Rach and Bex, a great Mum and Dad, Sisters Sarah and Gillian, brothers and sister, Helen, in laws, nieces and nephews and fabulous friends, churches,  housegroup and work colleagues all over the place. I am very fortunate to have this and there are may people in the world much less fortunate than me.   I am giving up my hair for more than 40 days and if you can I am asking you if you can count your blessings also and make a donation to Christian Aid.

Just in case you're wondering I will be doing a fundraiser for a Cancer charity also when I am over my treatment.

Christian Aid's story:

Everyone is equal in the sight of God. Yet we live in a world where poverty still persists.Poverty is an outrage against humanity. It robs people of their dignity and lets injustice thrive. But together we have the power to transform lives. For over 70 years, we’ve been standing with the poorest of our neighbours. We work in 37 countries, with people of all faiths and none, to stand up for dignity, equality and justice. We stand together with our global neighbours. Together we can create a world where everyone can live.