To all those brave ladies ......

For a minute, I couldn't really think what I was going to write about today.  Then, as October is Breast Cancer month, I decided to dedicate this blog to one of my daughter's best friends (she is actually one of my granddaughter's godmothers) who is undertaking treatment for this awful illness.  She has a little girl who is only nine months old and, all through the Summer, she has been undertaking chemotherapy treatment, which, at times, has left her feeling drained.  They then found that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, so, last week, she had a mastectomy as well as having all her lymph nodes removed (which is quite unusual apparently).  In a couple of weeks, she has to start a course of radiotherapy.  You can probably imagine how gruelling all this has been for her, especially as she hasn't been able to devote herself to the little baby, like most mums are able to.  I feel so sorry for her, because she had wanted to be a mum for so long.  I also feel terribly sorry for her mum and dad, who are in their eighties, and never thought that they were going to be grandparents.  Obviously, when the little baby girl came along, they were over the moon.  Then, just a couple of months later, they were hit with this.  I just can't envisage how it must be for a mum to see a beloved daughter having to go through so much suffering. 

My daughter flew over from Paris at the weekend, on a flying visit, just to go and spend some time with her friend after the operation.  It was a surprise visit, so very emotional for them both, but the friend was so thrillled.  I went along to see her as well on Sunday, and I have to say that she is being so incredibly brave and positive.  At the moment, she doesn't have any hair, but, hopefully that will start to grow back in the not too distant future. 

It's wonderful how, at times like these, the goodness in people comes out.  They were saying how friends and family had really rallied round, and they have visitors most days, which helps to keep their spirits up.  Also, they find that friends leave cooked meals on the doorstep, which is such a help to them at this time.

It is incredible to think that something like 140 women A DAY learn that they have breast cancer.  I pray that my daughter's friend will get through this and then be able to lead a normal life again with her beautiful little daughter.

I also take my hat off to all those women out there that are going through something similar.  Our love and positive thoughts are with you all. xx