50 over 50 Project ~ Chapter Three ~ Julie

 WHAT IS YOUR OCCUPATION? I am a Fabric Technologist

HOW OLD ARE YOU – AND WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING YOUR AGE? I am 51 years young . The best thing about my age is I have lived and am a survivor, but still have many exciting adventures awaiting. A new chapter is beginning in my life, it’s all about living for the moment and having fun, grabbing life and with any setback picking yourself up, dusting yourself down and living your best life, do what makes you happy not what makes others happy.

WHAT HARDSHIPS HAVE YOU ENDURED THAT YOU FEEL HAVE MADE YOU FEEL STRONGER? My father passed away suddenly in 2016. He was diagnosed with appendicial cancer late July 2016 & passed away 23 days later aged 67 years, 23rd August 2016 , 2 days after my eldest daughter 14 th birthday. This was very hard to comprehend & I miss him every day.

2022 I had a sudden pain, drove myself to A&E and had my appendix and right ovary removed , I was then diagnosed with appendicial cancer. On further investigation I was told I had a tumour on my colon, so was booked in for a colon resection! August 2022 coming around after the operation I was advised they could not operate as the cancer had spread and was now in my peritoneum and was stage 4 and I had 12 months to 2 years to live with pallative chemo.

So from being told the cancer was slow growing and with a colon resection and maybe some chemotherapy everything would be ok , I then had a death sentence hanging over me.

Fast forward 5 months, January 2023, following several rounds of chemotherapy , luckily due to my health I was able to travel to the Hampshire clinic , peritoneal malignancy specialist unit in Basingstoke and have a procedure called cytoreduction ( removal of tumours/ debulking) and hot chemotherapy put directly in my abdomen.

There were many risks involved in the operation but my philosophy was I have 2 beautiful daughters who need their Mum, I had not finished my bucket list and was just going through a divorce at the same time, so starting afresh and just beginning to live my life again and without the operation I am going to die soon, so I could go through the operation and might die in the operating theatre but at least I tried everything and if I got through I would have longer left with some discomfort but a potential cure.

Well , following a 10 hour operations with 4 surgeons, sedated for 26 hours, a stay in icu , followed by 17 days in the high dependency unit, a nasogastric tube, feeding tubes,drains, metal clips holding me together like Frankenstein, an epidural with morphine for 5 days, a blood transfusion some loss of dignity for a few months ( thankfully only a few were privy to that!, no detail required!), as well as a loss of my reproductive system, omentum , part of my colon to name a few!!, a stint in a wheel chair, help with walking , a drop in weight to 6 stone 12 Ibs and here I am today 12 months after the operation back at work and living a wonderful , precious life surrounded by lots of beautiful and special people .

This is why I am now a stronger person and I can and will be able to do anything that life throws at me .

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT? My greatest achievement is being here today and living a better life ! During my initial treatment when it was pallatative a I said to a MacMillan counsellor ‘ I want my old life back ‘ I was told ‘ your life is different now , I would have a new life’ – jigsaws and home based activities were mentioned, nothing wrong with that but it’s not me , I was having none of it.

Fast forward 12 months I’m here and living my life with lots of plans for this year kick started by the over 50’s project.

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS? To live in a quiet part of the country, likely by the coast, snuggled up with a gorgeous loving man!

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION? I treasure my daughters, family and friends.

WHAT’S LEFT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST? New York – this year!
Northern lights
Puffin cruise
Portmerion
Lochness&Balmoral
An extreme zip wire
A luxury cruise for 2
Australia to visit friends ……The list goes on…

WHAT WAS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE?

My car a necessity also!!

When I divorced a kitchen aid toaster and kettle and a king size bed with tv because I could and didn’t have to ask anyone!!

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT YOURSELF? Bigger boobs!

WHAT IS A TRAIT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF? Kindness

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR?I don’t have any now

WHAT DO YOU MOST VALUE IN YOUR FRIENDS? Honesty & kindness

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF? Don’t worry about what others think, just do it!

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO OR FAVOURITE QUOTE? Live life to the full and everyday like it’s your last!!

AND FINALLY…..HOW DID YOU FEEL AFTER YOUR 50 OVER 50 BOUDOIR SHOOT? I don’t feel as self conscious of my body,. I feel beautiful, sexy and gorgeous thanks to the compliments Sharon and Katie gave me. Thank you both, lots of lovex