Concussion, COVID and Cancer

In 2019 after I fell and hit my head, it was a wonderful wake-up call from the universe. Plus I got to learn all about concussions. Yay said no one ever. It was painfully, slow, hard, wonderful, inspiring and a blessing.

2020 has dealt us all experiences and situations that we didn’t anticipate. What I know now is that all I gained from the concussion recovery has stood me in good stead for what 2020 has thrown at me.

At the end of 2020, my partner of 30 years was diagnosed with cancer. An out-of-the-blue and totally random chance detection. We ended 2020 with tests and scans and an inward time for ourselves to start to get to grips with what this means for us.

Chemo’s 6 cycles are done. When people tell you it’s a ride, you don’t quite appreciate it. Watching someone you love go through chemo is a humbling experience and the sense of being alone, even when surrounded by the great support crew I have is wearing. People continue to be amazing and the sense of gratitude I have for those that are there for us both is out of this world.

Radiation finished in August 2021 and we celebrated with a stunning weekend away at Hahei. Beyond grateful that this was all done before the outbreak of COVID-19 reared its head again in New Zealand. After several weeks the side effects increased and what followed was day after day of keeping on keeping on.

I’ve journaled, typed, and kept notebooks throughout all of this and now it’s time to own my story.