Old member checking in!

[Mrs_Atko]

Hello friends - it's been a while since I last posted. Partly because I can't seem to get the HealthUnlocked App to work properly on my phone but also I have been running around all over the world (as usual). I have been popping my head round the door from time-2-time to see how everyone is doing and was so desperately sad to see that Vicki (Yoshbosh) had sadly grown her teal wings. A wonderful human who I know brought such a huge amount to this special group of people. May she forever rest in peace.

I seem to be enjoying a run of good favour on the health front, to which I am eternally grateful (and pray it continues). I have my 3 year scan/check up in Aug/Sept, which is always a moment to hold ones breath. But I'm feeling well, so I can't complain.

I am now currently supporting my best friend through a recent breast cancer diagnosis. She got married last weekend and is having a mastectomy tomorrow! These things certainly help focus the mind. (Photo attached was taken on Saturday...I'm second on the left standing on the bride's right). She's totally got this and I know will rock her 'new boob'!

Some of you may also remember that my dear Dad (now 80) survived Prostate Cancer two years ago. We had another fight on our hands, but this time because he suffered a fairly monumental heart attack back in February this year. Thankfully, I am very pleased to say he is making a full recovery and after relocating him back to his home turf in Surrey, is settling well into his twilight years. Having lost my own Mum 6 years ago to primary liver cancer and the various other journeys I have been on myself or accompanied others on, it makes my thirst for adventure and life all the more urgent!

Anyway, I just wanted to see how you were all doing and send a little 'adventurous love' your way. I will pray I am given another 'all clear' at my annual scan and continue to live my very best life. You never quite know what's around the corner.

Love and light to you all xxx

P.S. Next proper big adventure will be next year in the Arctic, where I hope to make friends with some polar bears, walruses and narwals!

[Shellygirl]

Hi lovely to hear from you and so glad you are doing ok. The photo is lovely 😊 I find the HealthUnlocked app is very temperamental too sometimes it works others not so much. Heart breaking that we have gained another teal angle Vicki helped me get over so many hurdles. Although we never met we were friends and yoshbosh will be missed 😢

I have missed your adventures and looked out for you during ruby games, that seems like forever ago🙈🙈

Even though we haven’t met I do think if you and wondered how you are doing. So from a virtual friend huge hugs and best wishes 😊😊😍😍

Ps good luck for your 3 year check up 😊

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Shellygirl]

Lovely to hear from you hun - yeah I deleted the app from my phone and reinstalled (that old trick) and it seems to be working (for now!) Thank you for your kind words and hope all is well in your world? xx

[Shellygirl in reply to Mrs_Atko]

A lot has been going on lately with hubby having problems with his heart but OC wise after a little blip in my ca125 seems to be kept at bay. I’m having a check up Thursday so fingers crossed for them. You are just never sure what’s round the corner. Xxx

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Shellygirl]

Sorry to hear about your hubby hun...Fingers crossed that all sorts itself out and good luck for Thurs. Let us know how you get on xx

[Petrolhead]

Glad to hear all is ok and you are enjoying life.

Best wishes

Fay

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Petrolhead]

Thank you Fay - hope all is well with you x

[Katmal-UK]

Jemima! you sure you are not psychic! I was thinking this weekend about all the lovely ladies who have come and gone on the site and you popped into my head and I wondered what you were up to! Lovely photo btw. Glad to hear you are doing well and your Dad! We've lost a few lovely ladies here recently and as you say we lost Vicki Monday, it's always a body blow, we are a virtual family and one I keep saying to myself it's about time I moved on from but as you can see I'm still here! Now in my 12th year and still NED with CA125 of below 3 (well I think I am, I have a scan tomorrow and results on Weds). Anyway, lovely to hear from you. Stay healthy! Enjoy your jaunts. Assuming good results this week I'm off to Vegas, probably says a lot about me but I do enjoy it there! xx Big hug xx Kathy xx

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Katmal-UK]

Hi Kathy, we certainly are a virtual family and one that offers such a huge, invaluable support for us all especially during those darker times. Similar to you, I often feel the need to 'move on' if I feel myself getting bogged down in all things 'C' related, especially whilst i'm well. But it's difficult to completely switch off and of course, there's always that desire to try and offer support and advice (or even just a friendly virtual hug) to those still battling those personal challenges. Congrats on 12 years clear! Amazing. Long may that continue. And enjoy Vegas! What fun! xx

[Purple-iris]

Hi

Great to hear you’re well and enjoying your adventures, thanks for the update.

Glad the bride got to enjoy her special day before surgery. My close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer as I finished my chemo. She’s doing well and we support each other when having our wobbles ! Sending best wishes to your friend for a speedy recovery.

So please that your dads recovered from his heart attack and now settled. We are balancing our trips and time at the coast with caring for my mum and mother in law who have a multitude of health issues!

Good luck for your 3 year scan/ check up. Yes we have lost far too many beautiful women to this disease and it’s been a difficult time hearing that both Gleedy and Yoshbosh, who I met earlier in the year are no longer with us. Finding it hard to make sense of it all but as you say all we can do is try and live our best life and make the most of every day.

Have fun on your next artic adventure and remember to send us a photo.

Love and best wishes Kim x 💜

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Purple-iris]

Hi Kim, the bride had an amazing day and i'm also pleased to say her surgery on Thursday went really well and her consultant is very confident things haven't spread. I spent yesterday with her in hospital and took her home after she was discharged. Her husband was at work so I managed to help get her showered, wash her hair and changed into clean pj's just as he got home, so I handed her over and made a quiet exit. She was overwhelmed to be home and feel clean! I remember that feeling well after my two ops.

Sorry to hear you are juggling your own family care needs. Hopefully with them being down on the coast you at least have pleasant surroundings in which to carry out your duties Don't get to have a few adventures yourself!! xx

[Caroles1]

Rocking the navy Hun! Pm d you about Vicki earlier, terribly sad, remember our day out at Wisley in the lovely cafe❤️

I’m sure you have kept some onesies for the Antarctic, let us have any photos and good luck with the checks, we all hate them😬

LoveCxx

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Caroles1]

Haha you bet we have onesies already sorted for the arctic! Polar bear ones So excited for it. We have a few adventures before then, mainly in South Africa (my happy place), but it'll be amazing to get back to the ice and high seas! Keep in touch lovely lady xx

[Caroles1 in reply to Mrs_Atko]

Sounds exciting! This year I have done Vilamoura, in a couple of weeks all the family to Nice in a villa, then maybe Majorca for a long weekend for my 5 year Ned😀👍Then a long weekend with our mad friends in Budapest.

Living the best life while I can.

You enjoy yourself hun, keep in touch, life is too short.

Plus I have another grandchild to cuddle arriving January!

Supernan to the rescue.....lol!,

Carole xx

[Cropcrop]

Hi lovely Jemima, it’s so nice to hear from you and all your adventures. I’m pleased your dad is doing better and I’m sure you’re right that the beautiful bride will still be stunning, she’s very luck to have you in her corner.

Good luck with your next check up, I have everything crossed for you and your attitude to life is spot on. We’ve all had a huge wake up call and have to try to take life by the preverbials and live it large (as they say).

Let us know how you get on, I’m back at Christie’s next month so the jitters will no doubt start soon even though I have no reason to think there is any cause for concern but, like you say, we just don’t know 😬.

Take care lovely lady ❤️Xx Jane

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Cropcrop]

Hi Jane - thank you for your kind words. Annual check ups always give rise to a few wobbles, but if anything they serve to keep things in perspective. Good luck back at Christie's although glad to hear you too are feeling well. Much love xx

[triplets]

Great to hear from you Mrs A life sounds good! Good luck with the next check up, all will be well. x

[Mrs_Atko in reply to triplets]

Thank you x

[Hidden]

Gorgeous pic and lovely to hear you are too busy adventuring to post! That is the best news. Carry on your adventures and post lots of lovely pictures on here, Living vicariously through others has become a speciality since diagnosis! The artic sounds amazing.

Best, Lisa xxx

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Lisa. I certainly will carry on my adventures and will try and post some more pics. I know it was the memory of my adventures and the prospect of new ones that kept me going during my diagnosis and subsequent surgeries. You never quite know when it's all gonna bite you in the a$$! xx

[Hidden in reply to Mrs_Atko]

So true, is off to Santorini in a week or so, always been a dream, steps may be a challenge but can’t wait! 😁👍

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Hidden]

Oooh Santorini...still on the bucket list! Enjoy! Send us a photo of those beautiful sunsets! xx

[Hidden in reply to Mrs_Atko]

Will do! Can’t wait. X

[luluw]

It's lovely to hear some good news after all the wonderful ladies we've lost recently. Many thanks for posting and the very best of luck with the checkup. Keep enjoying life! Xxxx

[Mrs_Atko in reply to luluw]

Thanks hun - I'm a big advocate for good news stories...otherwise what's the point? Hope all is well with you xx

[Maus123]

Great to hear from you . Looking fab too! Best of luck with the 3 yr check up and many many more disease free years.

I've braved Lapland this year, just a few km south of the arctic circle, and I'm envious already. Bet it'll be great fun next year. My tip: Bring lots of those hand and sock warmers :). xx. Maus

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Maus123]

Thanks Maus. Lapland sounds fun! I took my hubby to the Swedish Ice Hotel a few years ago (inside the Arctic circle) and that was amazing. And having been fortunate to have been to Antarctica now twice, I think polar expeditions are some of the very best and I can't wait to thoroughly explore 'oop norf'! xx

[Jo-Jo1-UK]

Lovely photo, pleased you are doing well & embracing life! I’m 3 years down the line with no recurrence! 🤞🏻Currently on a special family trip to Florida! ☀️😎 Keep well & enjoy your travels. Best wishes, Jo xx

[Mrs_Atko in reply to Jo-Jo1-UK]

Thanks Jo and congratulations to yourself for being 3 years clear!! Enjoy Florida...my husband and I have been twice as we are just the biggest kids and really loved it. Best wishes xx

[January-2016-UK]

Glad to hear you're still doing well. Look forward to seeing the Artic pics, I remember the Antarctic ones!

[Mrs_Atko in reply to January-2016-UK]

Thanks lovely one - its a shame I can't share more than one photo on each post. The Arctic is a year away yet but there are plenty of other adventures in the diary before then (mainly South Africa, which really is my spirit country)...just got to get through this year's annual check (scan is 7th Aug) and i'll feel like I've got my health passport for another year x

[Sherrym]

Just checking in for 1st time in months-so very sad to hear about Yoshbosh. We messaged on this site several times but never met, bless her.

Are any of u going to the BRCA meeting in Salisbury in November? I wd love to hear.

I have been free of treatment, other than the COC protocol, for 3 1/2 years now.

[thomas62 in reply to Sherrym]

Hi Sherrym

I'm very interested inthe COC protocol. How long have you been on it and do you think this has helped you stay free of treatment. Best wishes. Gwen Xx

[Sherrym in reply to thomas62]

Yes I do. I started straight after surgery & before chemo, only missing 2 days before chemo on through 2 days after- this, to avoid interaction

[thomas62 in reply to Sherrym]

Thanks Sherrym. I think I will be booking in at the COC centre asap. Gwen Xx

[Sherrym in reply to thomas62]

There was another big article in the newspaper last week, re COC