My birthday was in my eyes a bigger achievement than usual this time. I had managed a year older, I had kicked cancer’s butt, I could still walk and I still had a smile on my face. I didn’t want a big party or a big group of friends to do something this year, I just wanted my closest girlie pals to go out and dance and let our hair down the weekend after my birthday (my birthday was on a Wednesday).

I’m not one that is bothered about getting drunk, I just like to go out and dance, dance my little booty off! So this year I invited my closest girlie pals and in the end it all got cancelled on the day and we didn’t do it as everyone bailed, oh well…. Life goes on. It was a weekend in pyjamas instead. To be honest it was also a sadder birthday for me than usual as my best friend’s dad’s funeral was on my birthday and I felt sad to be celebrating when she was laying her dad to rest and it wouldn’t have been a proper birthday celebration without my partner in crime.

May I also say this sad loss was due to cancer… May cancer (excuse my language) go fuck itself!!! Another wonderful person taken from this world too early! RIP!

So what did I actually do to celebrate my birthday, well my beautiful brother had already invited me to his house for dinner on the evening of my birthday (as I worked during the day) and he and his family cooked a completely Kekezza friendly (gluten and lactose free) tapas feast. It was delicious. He is a great cook (I didn’t say this if he asks, he’s already got a big enough head as it is). A quiet but lovely birthday, sadly no dancing but lots of food and family! I also went to dinner with some other friends the night before my birthday which was lovely and also very delicious. So definitely lots of food this birthday and if you know me that is a winner!

Next year though I am 25, I have big plans! I want to try and go to Glastonbury if I can get tickets. Go to Italy at some point. Maybe a trip abroad around my birthday and definitely dancing and nights out this time. Maybe even a big party! Your only 25 once. Plus I want to pack as much into the year as possible. Lots of time has been wasted in a hospital this year.

P.S. This was written, pre cancer round two…