8th of July 2022

Hi everyone❤️

In the beginning of June I was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, which of course is one of the rarest forms of breast cancer and the one that likes to speed up and spread the fastest (because I’m not Aliki if I don’t go for them weird cases🤪).

The doctors have been super fast with all the scans, biopsies and tests and we have determined that it is in my right breast (renamed the “traitor” or “doom boob”, take your pick!), in about 10 axillary lymph nodes in my right armpit and annoyingly to the mediastenum (the tissue between the lungs) which is a tricky part since we can only tackle that one with chemo🙄 The others can be tackled also with radiotherapy and surgery. So for now aiming to shrink everything with chemo💪

Last week was my first round of chemo and the lazy soul in me is happy to report that I’m sleeping a LOT, but still have energy to take a walk and do things. I’m aware this will change, so I’m enjoying the summer days (when it’s not raining, because… well, I’m still in the Netherlands…) and preparing for when I will just want to hibernate in the winter😴

However, I have a good feeling folks! I am optimistic and in an interesting way, I’m happy I finally KNOW what is going on in my body and that it’s not just a burnout I’m struggling through. It’s slightly more than a burnout… it’s a few tumors😅

Get ready, my sarcasm, cynicism and dark humour have teamed up!😁

But I’m going to get through it and in the meantime, I plan to break the taboos around cancer and be open to questions and discussions, so please be relaxed and normal around me🥰

But I wanted to thank you all once again for the love I’ve been getting through messages, sms, calls, voice notes, cards, self made cards where your children have added their beautiful art, gorgeous flowers and visits with hugs and food! Every single gesture gives me more strength and I’m storing it so I can use it on the heavier days, because I am going to get through this! 💪

It has sunken in, but it has not taken over😉

As a bonus, here is me with short hair, ready to rock chemo and discovering that this hair style also suits me!😎