BLOGGING is helping a Cubbington mum in her battle with breast cancer.
After finding a lump on her breast in November, Jo Seager is now halfway through her chemotherapy treatment and regularly blogs about her experience.
What started off as a suggestion from her husband – who she fondly refers to in the blog as ‘Mr Jo’ – and their two children to keep her busy, the blog has become a cathartic exercise for the Probation Service officer who tells her story in a very matter-of-fact way.
She told The Observer: “If someone else reads it and it helps them the that is great, but I am writing it for me.
“I aim to write every other day and it makes me feel like I’m doing something useful – it gives me some focus.
“I can’t work at the moment because I’m at risk of infection after my latest round of chemo so if the blog means I have something to occupy my time.”
The 48 year-old does not believe her experiences with cancer are a journey, maintaining a journey is something you choose and that should be enjoyable, two things she certainly does not associate with having cancer.
And because of improvements in research into the disease and improved treatment, Jo actually says she is one of the lucky ones, and does not plan on ‘going anywhere’ any time soon.
Jo says her blog helps give her clarity of thought. When her hair began falling out from the chemotherapy, she decided to take back control of what was happening and chose to shave it all off.
Telling people, especially her children, she admits was not easy, but added attitudes to cancer had changed.
She said: “Cancer isn’t a word whispered behind closed doors anymore – my children’s generation don’t see it as a death sentence like it once was.
“The mum of my son’s friend has survived a similar situation as has one of my daughter’s college tutors. They were shocked when I told them but they have been very positive.”
Jo had nothing but praise for the care and treatment she has received at the Aylesford Cancer Unit and the Helen Clark Suite at Warwick Hospital.
“Their team is like a well oiled machine and they have all been incredible throughout my treatment.”
Her last round of chemotherapy is due at the start of July and then she will have to undergo four weeks of radiotherapy.
Visit itisnotajourneyiamnotgoinganywhere.wordpress.com to read Jo’s blog.
* Jo’s daughter Dilek is preparing for a charity skydive in aid of Breast Cancer Now.
The 17 year-old will compete a tandem skydive to raise funds for the UK’s largest breast cancer charity on July 23.
She has already smashed her target or £395 but wants to continue to raise as much as possible before the event.
Visit www.doitforcharity.com/Dilek to sponsor Dilek.
