Metastatic, or in Turkish 'metastatik', there is no confusing the meaning of that word. As I google translated my way through my Turkish MRI scan report, that was the word that stood out. But did it mean metatasis suspected? Did it mean that there was some evidence of metastaticism? Or did it mean that my whole body was somehow full of cancer and I was dying?

Apparently breast cancer is not just for breasts, just as dogs are not just for Christmas. It is, in fact, something that the whole body can get involved with. It seemed that after all the excitement four years ago when I ‘fought’ and ‘won my battle’ with breast cancer (terrible language if you think about it, what does that mean? Did I fail? Was it me? Was I a massive loser?)... It was back ta da daaaaaaa… but this time in my bones.

So here I am in North Cyprus, with my husband and two beautiful daughters, having a great time, enjoying everything that this beautiful place has to offer and loving teaching my amazing kids at The English School of Kyrenia. Earthquake proof buildings ... or not!!!

And now suddenly it seems I have Stage 4, incurable, but manageable (yippee) secondary breast cancer in my bones (my spine, pelvis and ribs to be exact)…. Honestly my first response was ‘I actually just don’t have time for this’!

I am going to write more to fill you in on my progress in a blog that I am starting … not sure how to do a blog but I want to because, a) perhaps selfishly I think it will help me to process what is happening, b) I hope to connect with some more people in this situation and c) probably most importantly because I am hoping to raise some money for Tulips which is a fantastic cancer charity in North Cyprus.

With this in mind I am setting up this just giving page, it is my birthday coming up, not a big birthday but I thought it was a good time to ask for donations for Tulips.

Raziye Kocaismail who founded Tulips in 1993 wanted TRNC citizens to become aware of cancer and talk about it without the fear it used to have. They provide information, physical, practical and emotional support to all cancer patients in the TRNC during and after their treatment for as long as it takes. They take the stress out of making appointments, collecting drugs, arranging treatment. They are a Turkish Cypriot registered non-governmental, non-profit making association. https://www.tulips-trnc.com/

For me this means that the volunteers from Tulips run round getting my blood test results, collecting my prescriptions, driving across the city to the pharmacy and collecting my chemo and bone strengthening medication and then delivering it to the hospital when I have my treatment. The TRNC is a wonderful place but there are processes and procedures which, when your Turkish only stretches to ‘Merheba’ (hi) and ‘Teşekkür ederim’ (thanks) and very impressively ‘votka ve diyet kola lütfen’ (need I translate?!), are very tricky and seemingly impossible to navigate. I feel silly asking Tulips to do all this. I am young (ish), mobile and I have a team of amazing friends here and my school ESK is being totally supportive, but honestly after having chemo or bone strengthening treatment chasing round the city to collect signatures and medication is the last thing anyone wants to do.

So I have said, 'Yes, Please Help Me!' And I would really appreciate it if you could help me, help Tulips, help people in the TRNC, like me, with cancer.

Please, Love Alice xx