Never Forget.

In my first blog i mentioned the amazing people that have entered my life since I've been diagnosed but haven't gone into detail about them. So first off i want to start with the "Bay 2 Crew" whilst being in hospital i spent the majority of it with this lot, it consisted of Neralie, Val and also another lady but she shortly got moved to a private room as the chemo she was on was hitting her hard. Neralie and Me being the kids of the group and Val being the Mum. Though there was a big age gap between us and Val, we all got along really well. These people made my stay in the Royal Marsden a more pleasant experience and I don't think i will ever forget them. It felt like we were on Big Brother, these people were my housemates for 4-5 weeks.

Val was the first one to leave our crew, on the day she left we got a little chocolate cake and we dedicated a few songs on the Royal Marsden Radio station "New York, New York!" and "We are family.." and Bay 2 Crew got a shout out. It was sad to say goodbye but its always a good feeling when someone gets to go home. She was a very nice lady and had a great sense of humour and i always loved to hear her stories.

Neralie's Chinese Lantern.

Neralie and I were the closest and she taught me all that i know, she showed me the kids menu and it may seem silly but when your living off hospital food for a month, your do anything for a burger or hot dog. She told me little hints and tips about the hospital stay and was my little guide. We got on so well and always had a good laugh with the nurses and spent time in the children's ward making masks and decorating mugs.  She even found out my Nan's nickname for me so that was it i had to find out hers! Our endless talks about food, about the takeaways we were gonna have and what we wanted when we got out of hospital. We also talked about our futures and what was next after all this, but Neralie had a rare type of Leukaemia and I'm sad to say she passed away in October and it still brings tears to my eyes to think of her gone. To those who didn't know her she was such a great person to be around, always smiling and such a inspiration to me and i don't think i will ever forget her. Her birthday wasn't to long ago and me and my parents sent up a Chinese lantern in honour for her birthday. Its weird because I'm not exactly a religious person at all but when i think of her i imagine her as an Angel, I know where ever she is she's doing good. I'm glad that i got to meet her and she was apart of my life. I have so many memories that I'll write about in the near future.

I also met a beautiful lady called Julie when i first came into the Marsden but she was also moved into a bay of her own but i got to know Julie and her husband Jim while in Outpatients. She was such a lovely person and always asked how i was and i loved to watch Jim and Julie banter and joke around whilst having treatment. I remember Jim putting a sign on Julie while she slept saying "penny for the guy". All the nurses and patients loved Julie, she had so many friends and if you met her you would understand why. The cancer she had wasn't curable and Julie past away last year. It was very sad but i have such great memories of her and also another great woman i wont forget.

I hope people don't read and think its all doom and gloom because these people are important to me and I'm super proud to of met this amazing people. I only have good memories and i wanted to share that with everyone.

First picture of the hair do.

I can't forget the Nurses, Doctors and Staff that look after me at the hospital they all stand out in my mind, great people that always have time for you no matter what. A few that stick out in my mind are Natalie she always made silly noises or spoke in a silly voice from Little Britain. She also shaved my hair for the first time she was more worried then me but to be honest, i was okay about it I was just worried my ears would stick out but I was pleased with the end result. I actually have a video which i will put up soon for a giggle. Also Dee who is one of the my favourite out patient nurses she says I'm her best friend, she always makes me laugh and after seeing her see a spider. Apparently she could see it breathing and it kept getting bigger each time she told the story. Tina the nicest nurse I've ever met and I remember when i was having a injection in my bum that she offered to hold my hand but being the hard nut that i am i refused. She still stood there squeezing the mushroom teddy i had which i was squeezing myself, i think she was more scared then me. Bless her cottons.

I can't thank these people enough and i haven't begun to touch  the surface on how awesome they have been and theres so many other people that i haven't mentioned but will in other blogs but the list is endless and I'm always meeting new people that inspire me. I just want to say thank you to all of these people and more.

Take care and keep smiling!
:)

Katie x