Roads go ever ever on... (5 years of survival)
Updated: Jan 30, 2022
Roads go ever ever on, Over rock and under tree, By caves where never sun has shone, By streams that never find the sea; Over snow by winter sown, And through the merry flowers of June, Over grass and over stone, And under mountains in the moon.― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
It is now five years since my breast cancer diagnosis and I find myself reflecting on all that has been. I recall one day during chemo, I was sitting in my recliner rocker with a head full of cobwebs and a belly full of slippery eels and I thought crap! How am I ever going to survive this? So I got out a piece of paper and a pen and wrote the words Plan for Survival at the top of the page. I underlined it twice. Then I wrote a list. Number 11 on my list was MUST make time for creativity; write, write, write. I didn’t commit to being a great writer, or even a good writer. I certainly didn’t expect to ever become a published writer - not in my wildest dreams did I ever believe that would happen. I just wanted to write. That was in 2016. My first book, After the Flood, was published by Black Phoenix in 2019. My second book, Breastless, is due for release in 2021.
Number 13 on my list was Love myself. Self Love! That’s a tough one for me to master which is why it is the theme of the book launch I am planning for Valentine’s Day, 14 February 2021. The day of love. My book launch is being hosted by a beautiful lady called Liz Wagner in the garden of her home as a fundraiser for Blush Cancer Care. As well as my launch, many local artists have agreed to donate art works in the theme of self love, which we will auction. Stay tuned!
Number 14 on my list was Live a Big Life. This picture is taken in September 2020 on Yenloora Station in western Queensland, is of me sitting in a cave and in my own peculiar way, living a big life! Sometimes I have to push myself to pick up my trusty adventurer’s hat and get out onto the road of life. But it is always worth it!
My full Plan for Survival list is at the end of Chapter Three in Breastless.
