Slow start to the day today. Felt anxious this morning but following a good conversation with a friend feeling much better.

Paul is giving me regular weather updates! Not quite sure why - returning to his past!

Apologies to Matt and any others that I gave away the football score yesterday - will remember not to do that in future! Looking forward to all the sport coming up. There have to be some advantages to being at home a lot.

Lovely day today. Church was great this morning and I really appreciated everyone's care. Thank you also for the many offers of help. At lunchtime we watched Grand Prix and football while eating roast dinner. Great results - although maybe England need to be able to score themselves!!

This afternoon Paul, Josh, Debz and I went to Saville Gardens. Beautiful rhododendrons and a lovely cream tea.

Today I read this and was reminded that God already knows the number of my days. Before I was born he knew.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

¹⁶ your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139

We had a lovely day yesterday despite the rain. We played monopoly and watched a strange film about men and goats and then watched the end of the Eurovision competition.

One of my friends had a lovely picture of me fully kitted out in armour on my horse with my lance ( we have recently done St George at school) going into battle. I love this idea, although riding a horse is not really me!!! I particularly like this picture kitted out in red. Do you think I could wear my red shoes with this armour?

I am really glad to have Josh home this weekend . We have been looking at lots of photos of his trip to Bulgaria. What a beautiful country with so much poverty. I think he would have liked to have brought all the children home from the orphanage!

I have had the ultrasound scan of my abdo and it is all fine - yippee.

It feels really wonderful to have good news.

Thank you all for your prayers

I had a lovely day yesterday. I went for coffee at school and felt surrounded by everyone's care. We are waiting to see what the consultant says about work. It was lovely to be in the midst of laughter again. I have so appreciated all the phone calls, texts and emails I have received and I am surrounded by love - what a good place to be.

I had visits from friends and family which was great. I love to talk!!!

Julian (our Vicar) came and prayed with us and read this psalm

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

² My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber;

⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The LORD watches over you—

the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life;

⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121

It is wonderful to think that when I am awake God is awake too watching over me. My sleep hasn't got worse over the last week which is wonderful. I still wake 2 or 3 times but go back to sleep again. It would be lovely to sleep all night - maybe chemo will help!!!

It is quite early now and the house is still sleeping. I can hear the birds singing and the sun is shining - promises of a good day to come. I am going for an ultrasound of my tummy today so can't eat before hand. So of course all I can think about is eating!! I am praying all will be well.

Josh is coming home for the weekend which will be lovely. I am looking forward to hearing all about his adventures in Bulgaria where he has been on a mission recently.

Enough of my ramblings!

So here we go my first blog post. How exciting!

I have decided to blog to keep people informed about my new adventure.

Yesterday I was diagnosed with breast cancer. (It gets easier to type that the more often I do)

It wasn't too much of a shock as I had thought that would be the outcome of the tests I had last week.

By the time I went for the results I had thought every thought it was possible to think and just wanted to get on with it! I felt very peaceful despite what was happening. (thanks, I think to everyone's prayers surrounding me)

So the journey begins - I have more tests to come on Friday an ultrasound scan of my abdo and a bone scan on 7th June. Then seeing the oncologist to discuss my treatment plan. Looks likely to be chemo first for 4-6 months. Not looking forward to the side effects - although we are discussing a change in hair colour and style!!! I have always wanted long straight black hair - what do you think?

I have been overwhelmed by everyone's messages and prayers - thank you.

I am holding fast to the hand of the creator of the universe - how amazing is that.

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40