Oh @Sisi the best medicine for you both, just what you needed. What a lovely photo and with the added bonus of having your son there as well. It’s been a tough 2 years for you all.
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Oh @Willow it is so interesting to get your interpretation of your picture, spot on. I see something different every time I look at it, thanks so much.
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@DuncanB Thankyou so much! It really was a tonic! 
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Thank you dear @Erica We had such a wonderful time…it just wasn’t long enough! 
Altho I guess it never is, is it? Love & best wishes to you 
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I would also like to add my own, I hope that’s okay 
I didn’t think I’d be here for…my daughter’s first day of school!
In fact, she was a complete suprise as, after Escalated BEACOPP for stage 4b Hodgkin Lymphoma, I was told that kids were off the table. But, as Jeff Goldblum would say, “life finds a way” and it’s wonderful to have this confident, creative, clever and kind human causing chaos in our lives. I’m grateful for her, and for being here for her, every day.
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Morning @Byrnebaby
It’s a really good point. Prompts like this definitely won’t suit everyone, and looking to the future can be really tough or overwhelming depending on where each individual is at with things.
Really appreciate you looking out for the forum community and speaking up. I think it’s a great reminder that everyone handles things differently, and there’s absolutely no pressure on anyone to join in if it doesn’t feel right for them.
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I didn’t think I’d be here for…’ becoming a grandmother, or seeing both of my daughters move into their own homes’.
Eight years ago, I wrote a journal for my children because I truly believed my time was limited. But thanks to the NHS and modern blood cancer treatments, I’m still here to experience the best feeling in the world.
I’m sharing this for Blood Cancer Awareness Month to show how much hope and life that the wonderful NHS and modern medicine can give us back. #HereForThis
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@Jules I was just writing something to Byrnebaby, but you’ve put it far better than I could have!
@Byrnebaby, thank you so much for saying this, and I’m sorry the prompt landed the way it did for you. I agree that you’re right to flag it as for some people in this community, “here for this” moments might feel a long way off, or may not feel possible.
My understanding is that the campaigns team’s hope was that these prompts would feel celebratory, something people could celebrate right now or look forward to and focus on.
For what it’s worth, during the planning with the campaigns team we did decide not to include a third prompt from the wider campaign (you may have seen it on social media) because we felt it wouldn’t be right for our community here. So the concern you’re raising is one I recognise.
I’ll pass your feedback on to the campaigns team and add a disclaimer to the original post now. Thank you for speaking up! 
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Wonderful story @Ceri_BloodCancerUK
Really inspirational
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Aww these really are so inspirational, it’s been really special reading what moments everyone has shared.
Reflecting on what I didn’t think I’d be here for, what I thought I’d never achieve or live to see after my sudden diagnosis with Polycythaemia vera ('PV') in 2023, I keep coming back to the elation I felt when I first hiked back up and around my beloved redwoods on the ridge overlooking where I live (route below).
Those craggy hills and dense forests kept me sane during the pandemic, helped me explore this new region and gain confidence being myself on a whole other continent… and then disabling fatigue from Polycythaemia vera ('PV') and its treatment stopped me in my tracks. It felt pretty bleak, to be blunt.
Somehow I got back outdoors as soon as energy allowed, gradually rebuilding stamina and strength which I perhaps didn’t even have to begin with, and as the Polycythaemia vera ('PV') stabilised it finally felt like time… to adopt our active little hound!
He’s definitely kept me on my toes, and now he joins me up in the redwoods, sharing my favourite trails whilst trying to keep up. Who’d have thought, I would never have believed upon diagnosis that I could be here for this!
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I agree @Duncan, I feel like I know everyone a little bit better and have been so moved by what has been shared.
@Willow, the idea of the transition from a cairn to stepping stones really got me thinking, and I hope you’ll forgive my talking about my interpretation of it. I see a path across the river that might feel less stable than the bridge, and that is a less well-trodden path that those who crossed using a bridge will never understand (‘we both got across, didn’t we? Why are you struggling so much?’). That you’ve had to build yourself, literally step by step, compared to many others who don’t have to think about it as they get to use the bridge.
@DuncanB the video is so uplifting - may I share it with the rest of the team? And what a view as well! It’s making me feel quite homesick for Aberystwyth (I’m in Bath, which is lovely, but I do miss the sea very much. I used to live on the seafront, and my nickname is Selkie!).
@Leigh65 there’s something very special about trying to maintain any sense of playfulness in the face of such potentially life-changing news. I’m not sure I managed it very well when I was diagnosed, and it’s something I’d love to recapture even many years on. I wonder if there would be interest in somehow running an online collaging session for the forum community, especially as Blood Cancer UK are encouraging Craft for a Cure?
@Sisi, I’m so glad that you and your family were able to enjoy the sun in Cote D’Azur 
It’s also really important in this campaign that the experiences of carers are surfaced, as you so often have to take on so much with very little support yourselves. But I’m delighted to head that you have been supported, and that you had some respite as a tonic to what must still be such a stressful and difficult time. We are always here to support you!
@Jules, having had a small glimpse into just how much of an adoring grandparent you are, I’m not in the least biit suprised by youe addition to this thread! I’m sure your daughters would have a LOT to say about how grateful they are to have you (and for modern medicine). I don’t think you’d mentioned the journal before, but that made me choke up when I read that line. And what a glorious photo you shared too.
@Duncan I’ve been struck by how many people I’ve spoken to since joining Blood Cancer UK mention being able to reconnect with nature and particular naturespots as one of the things that means the most to them, or that they hope to be able to do. I felt very much the same, and in my more difficult moments I actually asked to be driven to a forest nearby (in my PJs!) to just sit and be. So I see a lot of familiar feelings and needs in your posts. But wow, giant Redwoods are something else altogether - and now you get to share them with a furry friend too!
Thank you everyone who has shared so far, it really has impacted me and the team a lot. If you want to see what others are sharing beyond the forum, you can have a look at Blood Cancer UK’s Facebook post (with a note that there may be people talking about bereavement and difficult circumstances there, so please look after yourselves).
And if anyone else is thinking about contributing to the thread, please do so if you feel able
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Love it @Duncan
A Blood Cancer Diagnosis changes things without doubt.
Great that you are now able to enjoy your trails 
again 
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Great post @Ceri_BloodCancerUK
Yes of course you can share my video with the team.
We are blessed to be by the sea especially with the beautiful sandy beaches.
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Right back at you @Ceri_BloodCancerUK your post is wonderful to read too.
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Id been lurking here for a while as I tried to figure out how to attach a picture. I did read the instructions pinned at the start but I definitely don’t have the icon described. So just work with your imaginations for me!
Picture a table in the sunshine with a jug of fruit filled sangria on it and 2 wineglasses filled to the brim. That’s what I wanted to share to depict my 'here for this: moment. I captured this picture when hubby and I finally got to go away on holiday after a very long and challenging 18mths. I had held on best I could for this moment, even when it seemed v far away. Drs gave us permission, discussed a plan with them and flew to Spain 36hrs later. Just the 2 of us - teen has his own holiday (from us!) at home.
We breathed deeper, we sat a pool where we were the only people most days, I read 7 books and N listened to countless albums while in the shade. We rediscovered us. And we actually verbalised that we’d finally got our ‘this is what you survived for!’ moment. Truly grateful for all who got us to this moment. Best wishes always to you guys
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@judesadventures, although I absolutely LOVE your visual description, if you would prefer to have the image up, you are most welcome to email me the picture then I can attach it for you? My email address is ceri.calonmor@bloodcancer.org.uk.
And if you are using your mobile, the upload button is here:
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@Ceri_BloodCancerUK Thankyou so much for your lovely message 
Very best wishes to you
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Thank you so much @Ceri_BloodCancerUK for taking an interest in my artwork and for sharing your insights. I really appreciate it and I agree so much with what you have said. Those who are fortunate enough not to be affected by blood cancer don’t fully understand what it is like as they travel over the ‘bridges’ of life. Once again I am so grateful for this forum where we can share and know that others have a unique understanding of our experiences. Thank you to everyone at BCUK. Willow x
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Oh @judesadventures my imagination has definitely gone into overdrive and I cannot put into words how much you both deserve a holiday and actually to be able to reconnect together, read and listen to music.
Sending you both so much love, enjoy xxxx
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Hi @Ceri
Would love to run an online collage group for the community. I always have a lot of ideas! We could do something tailored to blood cancer (coping, diagnosis etc) or a general health collage session or another focus entirely. Let me know how to progress this PS I dont know about any craft for a cure initiative, I’ll have to investigate.
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