P.S

Ok, so I lied. I thought my previous post would be my last. But I decided I just had to write once more after I had one of the most amazing days of my life.

The Mother's Day Classic at The Domain in Sydney was amazing. There was a sea of pink and a spirit that was so strong. Hope flooded the atmosphere. It's incredible what a group of committed, like-minded people can do.

My family and friends met and lined up for the race with other supporters and survivors. And we walked. For me, for lives lost and lives saved. For future. For hope. For love. For a cause that touches far too many people.

I got chills. I smiled and laughed. And I cried.

Family members hugged me. Nik held my hand the entire event. Janette, my beautiful friend handed me my finishing medal at the end. People told me they were proud of me. And a complete stranger, a Bay Babe, watched Nik and I pin our tribute cards up on the tribute wall and cried. She stopped me and hugged me and told me I was special. I sobbed with her.

I loved every second of it. I'll be back next year, and the one after and each one for eternity. Until then, enjoy today's pictures.

Oh, and the picnic was perfect!

With love, hugs and thanks.

Sim

__________

Pic listing, from top to bottom

Jeff and Joan

Me with my race medal

Nik putting his tribute card on the tribute wall

Me putting my tribute card on the tribute wall

Nik's and my tribute calls hanging on the wall

Mum, me and dad

Janette and I

Jess, me and Clarissa

Nik and me from behind, wearing our tribute cards

Nik and I at the start of the race

See ya

It's with slight sadness and excitement that I write my last blog in the lead up to the Mother's Day Classic event. With the event on this Sunday, it's time to finish here.

I'm really excited about the race and can't believe I am a part of something so amazing. I'm looking forward to the buzz and cloud of pink on the day, and also proud to be walking in the event with Nik, my family and friends by my side.

But I'm also a little sad. I've enjoyed sharing my story with you here. Sometimes I find it hard to talk about things, but I don't have any problems writing. I've loved your support and reading your comments. It's been fun and added much sunshine to my life.

This isn't the last you'll see of me. I've been writing a journal since the day I found the lump. I write to help me heal and I also write with the intention of publishing a book about my experience, with 50% of the proceeds going to breast cancer research. So, keep an eye out in a bookstore near you - hopefully you'll see my book on the shelves in the next year!

With love, hugs and thanks.
Sim

Breast cancer club

I'm part of an exclusive club. The breast cancer club. Granted, not one I would've ever thought about joining, but one life signed me up for anyway.

The thing about this club is that every member knows another member upon sight, even if they haven't met before.

It's a knowing smile or a nod walking down the street, sitting in the waiting room at the doctors, curling up in the chemo chairs or passing each other walking in and out of the radiation centre.

Women who have been a member of this club are very good at spotting other members. Newer members like myself are a little slower identifying more experienced members. How do I know? Last week at the supermarket I was pushing a crazy trolley down the freezer aisle. A lady that I guessed to be in her 50s said to me, "It'll be alright." I just smiled back, in my own little world, until she said, "I've been through it too. Twice." Then it clicked. We stopped and had a chat. She's been in the clear for about five years now. Always like to hear that.

Although the breast cancer club isn't one that women are rushing out to join, it's one that members everywhere have embraced, and are lucky to have the love, support and experience of one another.