HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas & New year? We had a fantastic time, this year was my fourth 'sick' Christmas and yet the first one since my diagnosis that felt normal.

There were no lingering looks at the girls wondering if this would be the last time I saw them opening their stockings, no worrying about starting traditions that might be too painful for them to carry on when I'm gone, no feeling that we had to make the most of every minute in case I don't get another Christmas.

I had a nice, normal family Christmas and it felt wonderful. The only time I thought about cancer was at the end of the day when it occurred to me that I hadn't thought about cancer all day!

So, Pat Evans is dead! For those who don't watch Eastenders Pat was a long serving cast member, an iconic character who died of cancer on New Year's Day. I have to say it was tough to watch but I applaud the makers of the show for being so sensitive, their portrayal of Tanya Branning (a young mum, having treatment for cervical cancer) was spot on.

The emotions she experienced at seeing someone else close to death and relating it to herself was so close to how I've felt in the past when I have seen others lose their fight. So not very cheerful viewing but very well done in my opinion.

Going into the new year I feel fired up about my fundraising, we've got another quiz night lined up for January and there's talk of a family fun run for sometime around the end of March. I will keep you all posted with how I get on, my target now is £2000 by April!