The Balancing Act

Do you ever feel like you’re starring in your own version of "The Truman Show"? Sometimes, that’s how I feel—like I’m living two completely different lives running parallel to each other.

In one life, I’m the picture of health and happiness. I’m enjoying my job, lacing up my trainers for runs, planning dreamy holidays, and making plans with friends and family. It's the Instagram-perfect version of “living my best life.” You know, the kind where everything is filtered and fabulous.

But then there’s my second life. This is the life of a cancer survivor. It’s filled with recovering from major surgery, frequent trips back to the hospital for scans and check-ups, sudden and unplanned visits to A&E, and excruciating pain that appears out of nowhere like an unwelcome party crasher. In this life, I’m often stuck eating plain and boring foods, feeling like I’m not really living the life I want.

How can both of these lives exist at once? Honestly, your guess is as good as mine.

Take last weekend, for example. Saturday was a dream. I attended a wedding bursting with happiness, sunshine, vibrant colours, and delicious food. It was a blast to dress up and revel in the celebrations without letting any of my usual worries overshadow the day. For those precious hours, everything felt delightfully “normal.”

But then Sunday hit like a ton of bricks. I woke up with intense stomach pains that only worsened as the day dragged on. I couldn’t stand up straight, couldn’t eat much, and just felt downright miserable.

As the medical investigations continue, we’re still trying to unravel the mystery of why these pains happen. In the meantime, it feels like having too much fun one day means I’ll likely suffer the next. You just never know when the next hit will come.

Navigating these two lives is like walking a tightrope. It’s unpredictable and sometimes downright scary. But I’m learning to find joy in the good days and manage the tough ones as best as I can.

Despite the challenges, I’m determined to keep living both of my lives to the fullest. Sure, it's a balancing act, but it’s my journey, and I’m here for every twist and turn. Life might be throwing me curveballs, but I’m still swinging for the fences.