Update: February 2026

2026 02 04

Hi everyone!

Thanks to good blood test results from yesterday, I was able to have my second anti-oestrogen injection today. (Actually, it’s a pair of injections, as the substance is so viscous that they split the dose in half. It’s quite something, having two nursing sisters approaching one from behind with needles, like that! 😄) All going well, my next injection(s) is in two weeks’ time. After that, they will be monthly.

I went to all five Saturday circle dancing sessions in January! I’m still pinching myself to see if this is actually happening! Thank you for egging me on, every step of the way!

Lots of love 🌹❤️

(Appreciation to Gail for the photo)

 

2026 02 10

Save the date!

We have a date for my book launch! It will be on Sunday 26 April, 14:30 to about 17h00, at the Fish Hoek Civic Hall, and you (plus whoever you wish to bring along) are invited!

There will be some talking about the book and my cancer journey, plus circle dancing and light refreshments.

If you already wish to reserve your place(s) at the launch, please email funkyhats.hope.love@gmail.com, with your name and the names of the people you’re bringing (or forward this message to them and they can reply for themselves). You are welcome at the launch, whether or not you buy a copy of the book.

For those who do want to buy the book, it will become available some time in March, in three formats: print, PDF, and epub (for use on Kindle etc). I’m happy to say that all formats will be in full colour, at reasonable prices (soon to be finalised).

Nearer the time, I’ll send out the final invitation with a last date for RSVPs.

To the people who won’t be in Cape Town at the time: we’re going to try to do a live stream. If that doesn’t work out, we’ll do a recording.

Lots of love 🌹❤️

 

 

 

2026 02 18

Hi everyone – thanks, as always, for all your support, and thanks to the people who have already reserved their places at my book launch!

Today I had my scheduled injection, which is now monthly. It followed a consultation with Garth, where he told Gail and me that yesterday's blood test showed further improvements for everything, as my levels continue to stabilise after the chemo.

I had been concerned that the pleural effusion might be coming back, so Garth referred me for a chest X-ray after the injection. His medical officer phoned a couple of hours later, to say that there is actually less effusion than the last time it was checked! This means that the slight congestion I’d wondered about was probably just a result of a side effect of this treatment, which sometimes generates mucous.

So I continue to seize the day, dancing, playing with art, and being more available to see people. And I had my first "swim" of the season yesterday – actually a short dunk at St James beach, where the tidal pool was freezing!

Garth told us that it’s usual for people to respond well to the chemo I've just had, so it turns out I’m not quite the unicorn I thought I was! But it still feels like a miracle to me!

Lots of love and appreciation 🌹❤️

 

 

 

 

Update: January 2026

 

2026 01 02

Hi everyone –

I hope your year is off to a good start.

Mine is, as this course of chemo is now completed!

Today’s blood test showed high enough counts for me to have chemo, although a reduced dose because my platelet count was still lower than optimal.

I rang the bell!

And I can be part of gatherings of people again!

In about two weeks’ time, we start a further hormone treatment.

 

Lots of love 🌹❤️

2026 01 13

Hi everyone!

I hope you’re doing well, as you ease into 2026 and return to various activities – work and others.

I had a consultation with Garth this morning, to hear whether I would have the first of a series of anti-oestrogen injections. Yesterday’s blood tests showed: not yet. This confirmed my intuition that today would be a bit soon – it’s less than two weeks since I finished chemo. Also, I’ve been feeling so normal, during the past few days, that I was a bit nervous about ‘upsetting the apple cart’.

The chemo has had a major cumulative effect on all my blood levels. The most important measurement for my forthcoming treatment is my platelet count, which is too low right now. The other counts are on the border of ok and not ok – good enough to let me feel normal. Two other levels are lower than they should be: sodium (which explains my slightly swollen ankles) and protein (together with some of the other counts, this explains why I take long to get started each day). These will eventually correct themselves, and I’ll also eat things that help.

The best news is that my tumour markers are the lowest they’ve been since Garth started tracking them!

And my good news to tell Garth was that I’ve been to circle dancing the past two Saturdays and have also started doing a bit of fun art. This all feels like a new lease on life for me – a miraculous surprise! (Noting, at the same time, that this not remission but rather a good phase.) My heartfelt appreciation to all of you for walking alongside me on this journey.

I’ll have a blood test again next Tuesday. If my counts show we can go ahead, then we’ll start the treatment the next day.

I look forward to hearing how 2026 is treating you, thus far.

Lots of love 🌹❤️

Photo: The first time I’ve seen flowers on this particular spekboom in our garden

 

2026 01 22

Hi everyone –

I was able to have my first injection of the new treatment this morning! It’s called Fulvestrant. All going well, my next one will be in two weeks’ time, and we’ll soon move onto monthly injections. So far, so good ... I hope that lasts.

Today’s photo is of my latest fun art. (It’s A5 size.) The wing in the middle is my rendition of a cicada wing, which Gail, Tricia and I found on the table last week when we were having lunch outdoors. I took the little wing (an inch long) home and used Google Lens to find out what kind of wing it is. Then I looked up the symbolism of cicadas and found that their transformative life cycle means that they represent change, rebirth and renewal (setting up clear new pathways). They also represent joy, hope and creativity. All of this feels really encouraging!

May you also find things in nature that feel meaningful to you.

Lots of love 🌹❤️