It was New Years Eve and Sam was getting ready for the party. She called my name from the shower and asked if she could show me something. A little playful thought went through my head but since Rosie was playing on the floor and Charlie was having a nap in his crib I knew that my first thoughts were probably wrong.
As I entered the bathroom Sam was stood there in a towel. “I think I’ve found a lump………………………”
That’s when our lives changed.
Click on HOME to follow our journey
funkybald1
Welcome to the Himalayas 
What a truly articulate and powerful blog you have started to create Rich. I think this is so inspirational already. The balance of humour and sincerity is perfect. Obviously the focus needs to be on Sam, but don’t underestimate how physically and emotionally draining this next year will be for you too. I think this blog will be very cathartic for you going forward. It will also enable Sam, as the weeks and months pass, to look back at everything she has overcome in the journey to date and hopefully help her see her “wins”. Your strong family unit and obvious love for one another will be a great source of strength. As I said to Sam last night, make sure you do ask for help though. People may not know how to help and you may not like to ask. But doing some shopping/ironing/making a one pot meals/taking the kids out to the zoo so you guys can get some sleep etc could all be helpful. We will be hear to listen and support always. You are in our prayers. And for what it’s worth, my cousin said the ice cap was too painful and not worth the bother given people almost always loose their hair with chemo. She decided to have a makeover before her treatment started (eyebrow tatooing and short cut) to avoid the pillow hair and two years on, now has very soft hair in better condition than before. I would suggest you should shave your head in support, but would we notice?! 😉 Sam is beautiful and will look gorgeous hair or no hair. Take strength from all the messages of support and don’t forget we are all out there, just reach out. Lots and lots of love and hugs. Helen & Nick
I’ve been trying to freeze my head for years. Doesn’t work for toffee. 😉 xxx
You two are one of the loveliest couples I have the pleasure of knowing. Stay strong xx
Thanks Shelley. Xxx
I don’t know either of you but would add that you can both take strength from this blog. Sometimes it’s hard to verbalise what we actually feel out loud.
Laughter is good medicine and that isn’t said glibly.
Stay strong
Thank you Anne. Xxx
What a great thing you are doing Rich.,it will help you both overcome the obstacles together and bout each other up .Much love and positive thoughts to you both xxx
Thanks Yvonne xxx
Such a brilliant blog Richard.
Thinking of you both xx
Thanks Charlotte. Glad you like it. 🙂 xxx
I don’t know either of you, but I know Claire and she has told me about you and your blog! I am a nurse and I often work in the haematology/chemo day ward so I see patients going through this.. I think by writing a blog as you go along, you will be helping both yourself and Sam to cope with this journey…. Good luck with it all, I will be thinking of you… If I can ever be of assistance, please do not hesitate to ask xxx
Thank you Sharon. What you do is amazing. It’s such a learning curve at this end. I’m struggling just trying to give Sam an injection without making her cry. Xxx
What a great and powerful blog Rich! With love, luck and best wishes to you all xx
Thanks Kirstie. Xxx
I have read this blog through a friend Rob on Facebook ! While the news is awful , I am inspired by the love , strength and support I see from you both , your family and dear friends. May your future be bright and promising , love Adam x
Thanks for your kind words Adam. Much appreciated. 🙂 x
Fantastic blog , big hugs to u, Sam and the kiddiwinks x
Hope your both ok
and things are going well
thoughts with u both
Hi guys….I’m very good friends with Chloe’s Mummy and have just spent the last hour reading your very brave, honest blog. This month I have celebrated my 30th birthday, and 4 days later been told I have invasive ducal carcinoma, unfortunately HER2 positive. I am having emergency fertility treatment with my wonderful other half due to the potential effects on my poor ovaries (we haven’t yet started our own family). I start chemo next Friday, the same type as Sam. Nicky told me about your blog, and I had mixed feelings about whether to read it or not….did I or didn’t I want to read about the realities of what I’m about to face… So I’ve spent the last hour reading, smiling and crying whilst sharing your experiences. I think you are both incredibly brave, to manage to maintain your beautiful family on top of everything else, I can’t imagine the courage that’s taken – I know, life doesn’t stop, washing still needs to be done, the bath still needs cleaning, the house still needs hoovering….even if you do have cancer….but that’s not to say its easy. We are living day to day in an array of fertility injections, CT scans, marker insertion, bone scans and pre-chemo checks. I am terrified about what the next 6 months hold for me, and us…. But your blog has given me strength, and prepared me in a way that the medical staff cannot. So thank you both for reaching out, and sharing this part of your lives with the world xxx