BEFORE I KICK THE BUCKET

BEFORE I KICK THE BUCKET

Some of you may remember that about this time last year I did an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live with an amazing girl called Rowena Kincaid who has terminal breast cancer.
Rowena was diagnosed with terminal secondary breast cancer in 2013 and given just 3-6 months to live.

During this time a friend asked what she had on her bucket list to which Rowena replied “I don’t have a bucket list, do I need one?”. With that she set off to make a programme called Before I kick the Bucket for the BBC exploring whether or not having a bucket list was something she needed to have.

When we spoke on the radio it really got me thinking about the whole idea of needing a list and I thought about it for a long time afterwards. Writing and working towards achieving things on my list really got me through my struggle with PTSD. Just visualising myself succeeding in achieving these things was a big part of snapping me out of the dark hole I was in and helped me start enjoying life again. I therefore concluded that having a to do list was a good thing indeed.

But in the current age of mindfulness I am also aware that we should be happy in the present moment and perhaps not think too much about past or future events. After all the present moment really is all that matters.

Since returning home Row and I have become such great friends. She has to be one of the funniest and most full of life people I have ever met. When chatting to Row it’s hard to believe she has a terminal illness. She is always smiling, always cracking a joke and always ensuring that everyone else is ok.
She told me that she struggled to sleep at night and when I asked if it was because she was anxious she said “no, its because i’m so excited for the following day to start”. Amazing!

On the 3rd December Rowena celebrated her 40th birthday. She has survived over a year longer than doctors had predicted. Cutting edge treatment is of course a major factor in Row still being here but I firmly believe it is also because of her incredible positive mental attitude. She just loves life and has continued to live it to the fullest. Those who have met Row or saw her show will know she is so full of love and energy thats it’s hard not to be in awe in her presence. She is such an inspiration to so many and it is an honour to have her as a friend.

To celebrate her 40th birthday Rowena went all out and hired Cardiff Castle where all the guests turned up in medieval fancy dress. It was an amazing night resulting in Row getting home after 2am! That girl knows how to party! I can’t wait to see what she does for her 41st!

A few days later I celebrated my 36th birthday and it’s safe to say we were a couple of very grateful souls that week. We are definitely the kind of people who will never complain about getting older.

The second part of Row’s show will be shown in the New Year. I have seen clips of it and it is guaranteed to leave a lasting and humbling impression on you. I’ll update you all once we know when it’s on but until then you can keep up with Row’s whereabouts on her Facebook page here:-
https://www.facebook.com/lilmissbucketlist/

Much love everyone and loads of love and healing wishes to Rowena.

X