We are approaching the end of Megan's first week at 'big school' and this marks the start of a new stage in our family's journey.

When I was diagnosed nearly 3 years ago I didn't dare think I would be here to see Meg start school (at the time it seemed unlikely I'd see Leah start).

It just seemed too far ahead & too much to hope for.

Those of you who have followed my journey from the start will know it's been one heck of rollercoaster, but here we are & on Monday I proudly walked a very excited Megan to school, she was absolutely fine about it, it was me who was the wreck!

Her teacher seems lovely and was very understanding when we explained our situation to her, I believe Megan will be fully supported should things come up at home that she finds worrying or upsetting, and that is a huge relief.

So...me, what will I be doing now? If I weren't ill my job would fill a lot of my time and maybe increasing my hours would have been an option - sadly that is not the case and for the first time I actually miss my job!

When I retired I felt a loss of identity but I have never missed the going to work and doing a job side of it until now.

I mustn't let that get me down, in the past when our routine has changed significantly I have not dealt with it well and needed to increase my anti-depressants, I really what to avoid that this time.

I think that being aware that it may be an issue puts me in a strong position to actively prevent it happening.

I have projects to do, I will get on with the scrapbooks I started for the girls - not because I think I'm going to die but because I love them and I want them to have something to treasure the memories of their childhood with.

My Breast Cancer Care fundraising role can really get underway, I am liaising with our school head teacher on how best to promote our Pink Friday Mufti Day and our Coffee Morning, getting the whole school involved is so exciting and a fantastic way to get the Breast Aware message out there.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness so a good opportunity to remind us all to be Breast Aware, check yourselves regularly, get to know what is normal so that should something 'abnormal' occur you will recognise it immediately, and if that happens get yourself down to your GP and insist they take it seriously.