KEY POINTS:
I missed you all so much that I'll be doing a fortnightly column for a while... to keep you all in tune with the year's events.
This is the 45th day since my last chemo treatment. I am really starting to be immensely thankful for feeling a million times
better.
During the whole treatment cycle there were times when I thought I was better and feeling great.
But now that I am through it and my body is starting to get all its good bits back again feeling better has a whole new meaning - and I try to make the most of it when I can.
What a hectic Christmas, well exciting all round really.
We flew up to Hawkes Bay for Christmas and although I struggled a little coping with everything I had a good time, trying to relax with my boys Andrew and Benji.
It's hard when you don't want to miss out on things but still we had a brilliant family time and having the weight of chemo off my shoulders was a fantastic feeling.
We drove across to Taupo to catch up with some of my family and the rest of Andrew's - that was great too with Benji playing around with his cousins and me relaxing a little more.
You could say we had a full on few weeks, my poor head was spinning with all the emotions and tasks on hand. We need a break now!
After flying back to Christchurch and really bouncing back, we drove to Westport to catch up with my crazy clan.
They were all pleased to see the change in me and the fact I had some fluff on my head.
On to step two of this journey I have started hormone treatment - monthly injections (rather large needles I might add too).
I can administer these myself, which is good, not having to go back into hospital or to the doctors.
These will point my body towards menopause, closing all my girlie functions down for two years, but hopefully not making me too moody!
So far the only side effect I have had is not really being hungry - I just can't seem to eat as much and I was told it would be the opposite but maybe my body is just adjusting to the change?
Who knows?
The doctors told me that after going through this two-year treatment plan, I would have an 80 per cent chance of getting my fertility back, so naturally we are hoping for all to return to normal but hey - you never know.
The chances of me actually having breast cancer in the first place were quite slim too...
I am still very much going ahead with my bilateral mastectomy operation. I researched and spoke to a lot of women who had been through it and I still feel confident it's the best possible decision for me to make.
I am not at all scared about the change to my body, just happy that I am tackling this with a level head.
I have an appointment with my plastic surgeon on today to discuss it all again, and hopefully get a clear indication of when I can look at having the operation.
I have had a few dreams lately about having my long blonde hair back again.
I have been blonde most of my life, then went dark a few times just for kicks but I think I'll go back to being a blonde.
The hair that has come through it is a mousy colour and as yet no curls but I expect them - going by what most people have told me.
I have a good head of short short prickles and think I'll leave it to grow now, I shaved it all off in between Christmas and New Year's Eve.
It took off in the last week too, maybe the sun on it has boosted the growth!?
All and all I am happy to have put last year behind me and am looking forward to the new year ahead. But the best thing about not having chemo is being able to play, dance, go nuts and generally be silly with Benji and have more energy to do things. Back to normal in our household - finally!