Battling Big Betty:
My fight with Breast Cancer

Read from the beginning to follow my story

  • The Beginning

    It’s Friday, April 14, all go and very exciting. We are just about to settle the purchase of our new house and are in the final stages of securing the mortgage, putting insurances in place and packing, madly packing. I am very tired, very stressed, but also extremely excited. Our own home! Finally we will…

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  • Sunday, 25 February 2024

    Our wedding day dawns overcast and a little windy. We spent part of yesterday looking for somewhere to hold the ceremony that was in shade as it was so hot but now it looks like we need a potential under cover spot in case of rain. We decide to go ahead with the same area…

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  • Saturday, 24 February 2024

    OMG the last few days have been mad with getting the van ready to go for the big adventure. Yesterday was all about getting to Aotea Island and we don’t realise how exhausted we actually are until we wake late at camp this morning. We have a very slow day and basically just hang around…

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  • Wednesday, 21 February 2024

    I wake quite early feeling rested. Chemo on Monday went well and I had no obvious issues. I survey around me – Susannah resting on my left, the dreamcatcher in the window, the kauri outside. It is still dark. Light is creeping in slowly but for now it is still dark enough for the ruru…

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  • Sunday, 18 February 2024

    It’s a slow start this morning. I’m still in pain but determined to have a good time. We take some fun pictures to remember our time at the B&B and then head South.  Susannah and I have used our DOC passes to book a spot at Uretiti campsite. Although we won’t stay the night, this…

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  • Saturday, 17 february 2024

    I wake early with excruciating pain in my ribs and solar plexis. I take some OxyNorm and Susannah lies beside me gently rubbing my ribs. It helps a bit. Everything just feels really tight and overstretched. I guess my internal organs under my ribs are being squished by the cancer. Eventually I nod off again.…

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