Jackie Scully

Having got engaged in my living room on Christmas Day 2013, you can imagine this wasn’t the kind of blog I was expecting to write this year! On Friday 17 January the Champagne went on ice when I discovered I had stage 2, invasive lobular breast cancer (soon to become stage 3). I have always found great comfort in writing and, as an experienced writer and editor (before I decided to manage the people being creative), I thought I would turn to blogging as a way of sharing the lighter side of this life-changing condition. Laughter really is the only medicine I should be allowed to administer myself! While it's not as early as we'd all like (in fact, I’d rather it wasn’t there at all), it is perfectly treatable and I have the right attitude, determination and support network to get through this next phase – and be a better person for it! I have decided to write this blog for a number of reasons: 1) I was only diagnosed two weeks ago and I have already had so many hilarious (if you, like me, have a rather dark sense of humour), life-enhancing and inspiring (I defy anyone to spend an hour at Guy’s hospital and not feel humbled) moments that I want to capture, share and remember forever. 2) I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of those around me. My breast cancer notebook (yes, I have a dedicated bright pink moleskin and a to-do list) is already filling up with great bits of practical advice that I am keen to share. My house is also filling up with kind gifts from friends (everything from dark nail varnish for chemo and pampering treats to my very own pink post-surgery boob pillow). I’m not the only one trying to stay positive and arm myself with every tip in the book. I want to share these practical tips to both inspire those diagnosed in the future and thank those kind enough to join me on this journey. 3) As an open person, I find it difficult to hide my emotions and details of my experiences. I don’t think people mind discussing my latest baking experiment or magazine schedule. Breast cancer, however, is a bit different. It was the point at which I was discussing breast sizes with a client that I realised it might be better to write it down and let people seek it out – rather than fill their heads with talk of tumours and tummy tucks. 4) I love writing and I am determined to do more of what I love this year! It’s about time. Why ‘small boobs, big smiles’? When you’ve spent the best part of two weeks with your top off in front of surgeons and nurses, it doesn’t take long to work out that having ‘not much there’ is not an advantage. But, even when they were sizing up my tummy fat and cupping my less-than-ample breasts, I still managed a smile. That’s what this blog is about – finding happiness in unusual places. I started this year thinking 2014 would be the best year yet. I am so positive, I know there is no reason why that still cannot be the case.