Penny Rae
I am taking part in The Ride. I am 53 years old but in my head I am about 34!
In 2001 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, then 5 years of tamoxifen. In 2006, I was diagnosed with more aggressive tumours in the same breast and had a double mastectomy, lymph node removal, ovaries taken out and put onto arimidex for 5 years. In June 2011, 4 more tumours were diagnosed, again in the same breast but still with no secondaries. I have had 9 courses of chemotherapy and am now taking exemstane. I will have a further review at the end of July to see if surgery is advisable or if the exemstane is keeping any remaining nodules in remission.
I am a writer and arts producer. I work mostly with my partner, Carl and our website is ww.dailylife.fr . I live between Bridlington in Yorkshire and Lille in Northern France.
I have 2 wonderful grown up children, Scarlett and Mark and 2 very sweet grandsons, Rio and Jayden;
I also have a very loving family and group of friends and am constantly humbled by the way they’re always there for me.
Just wanted to say what an amazing brilliant lady our Penny is. I’ve known Pen all my life as she’s my mums best friend. I’ve always loved her company and she is one of the loveliest people I know and I’m very proud that she’s part of my life. Good luck with the ride. Keep on keeping on. Buckets of love & sunshine
Sophie x
I also am very priveleged to have very lovely god children, see example of Sophie above! x
Penny Rae…you over-estimate your age, in your head and under-estimate your incredible, courage, bravery and self-determination to not be beaten by a few cancer cells! You are actually about 22, a good age as it’s about the time of reaching young adult maturity; old enough to do all the grown up things, like being responsible, etc., but young enough to have a sense of the possibilities in life, the joy of being and the drive and energy to see only the positives and live for today. You are a true and wonderful friend to me and always manage to talk sense, to make me look at my own positives, and you love and appreciate the things that are most precious to me – my family. You are a true inspiration. However, you’re bonkers to go biking round half the blood country and I hope you’ve got some serious padding in those cycling shorts! You wont be having my company but I will give you money (anything to avoid exercise myself!) Good luck with it all – I’ll be thinking of you. Love you very much me bessy mate! Jan xxxxxx
Good luck to you all and a good ride. Especially for Penny Rae, my dear friend. Working for british Council, she did so many good works in brussels for asylum seekers and other young europeans.I hope she will get all the support she might need.
Lieve Penny. Ik wens je een fantastische rit
Bob
thank you Bob…. will try as hard as I can… lots of love x x x
thanks Jan for all those nice thoughts! You’ll be with us next year.. we’ll even plan it around the school holidays…!
Thanks too for always being there for me, especially during some of these recent times that were at times that bit too hard to find the fun and laughter. Lots of dancing when I get back… infact a party! Love you… x x
We are so proud of our Pen and wish you all the luck in the world plus a little extra. Thank you Pen for being all that you are to each of us. We love you and hold you close to our hearts. I’m Staring at the photo in our study of you on your bike with us in Cork and smiling at your beautiful happy face! There are not enough words in the dictionary to express how much you mean to each of us and how much you inspire us. Your courage, compassion, patience, positive attitude, love and passion for living is unending.Supporting you from afar and surrounding you with our love….GO PENNY!