A Letter To ABC Tales Friends

Gold cherry

By skinner_jennifer

Mon, 24 Aug 2026
  • 1751 reads
42 comments
 

Dear friends,

 

I'm really sorry I've not been around lately. I'm trying hard to be strong and resilient during my chemotherapy, but it does get really hard at times. It's only the beginning of my journey and I've had three treatments so far, due for my fourth on Wednesday 2nd September.

The treatment has really taken a toll on not only my body, but my spirit and mind too. For five days after treatment I get awful brain fog and just want to sleep day and night. Then there's the medication...so many tablets I have to remember to take, followed by numerous visits to hospital for scans and other tests...then to top it all the hospital doctor put me on steroids because my cortisone levels are too low, which has been an extra obstacle to overcome.

I know these treatments are important, but I've so little energy for anything else other than trying to keep everyday chores going between chemos and the important hospital visits.

I miss the ability to feel any sort of interest in writing or reading, especially with the intense heat we've been experiencing over the summer, and I certainly miss the friendship on abc tales.

After four years of not knowing what was wrong with my body, I'm so grateful to be finally taken seriously by an understanding doctor and wonderful Macmillan nurses.

Friendship on here means everything, please bear with me. Two years is a long haul and I don't know what the future holds for me, but I won't ever give up.

Thank you so much for all your concerns...I'm so blessed to have you all.

Jenny. xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments

Submitted by Curtis Ray Jones on

Please get your rest, treatment, and know you are not alone. I pray your medical treatments work miraculously well and reduce your two-year treatment to months or less.  Praying you will be back healthy and strong very soon.

All my concern Ray.

Rayjones

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Dear Ray,

sorry this is so late in commenting, but the medication I'm on leaves me very confused with awful brain fog due to the chemo. 

I really appreciate your kind words and prayers which are valued a lot. I haven't had much of an up date on my condition like I thought I would at the last doctor's meeting, I have to wait till the next time I see him.

When I do get any information I will let everyone know.

But thank you again for your concerns.

Jenny.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by hudsonmoon on

Sending big love to you, Jenny. You're treasured around these parts. Pleased that you're being given the best of care. xxx

Rich

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thank you for your kind words Richard,

The love everyone has showed means so much to me. I'm just sorry I can't be around a lot more, but the brain fog and confusion from the chemo and the hundreds of tablets I've had to take leave me so confused and lost at times. 

Thank you so much for your thoughts, and I'm so sorry this has taken so long to reply.

Jenny. xxx

 

Submitted by Shannan on

Dear Jenny, I was reading your kind comment on my 2012 poem "A Secret Place Please". So, I clicked on your link to arrive at this post. The cliche "Adulting is Hard" came to mind, but also the light, love, resilience and beauty it can reveal in humanity as we realise we are all doing our best at being human together. I pray that kind, helpful, caring and loving souls continue to meet you on this journey and that grace and mercy will combine with the wonderful courage and strength that you have. May all the incredible seeds of love you have planted into your work and comments here, and beyond, over the years, come to show you wonderfully incredible fruits of goodness each moment you need them. Take care, stay blessed and loved! Shannan

Blessings for tomorrow's session xx

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Dear Shannon,

bless you for your lovel comment. It means so much to know that I've got so many lovely friends on abc tales. 

I'm so sorry this is so late in arriving, you wouldn;t believe the amount of tablets I have to take at the moment, on top of the chemo and many tests I;ve had to endure for many months, it;s a real nightmare, but much better than not having any idea what was wrong with me for four years, I can put up with it all, it just leaves me with a lot of confusion with the amount of medication I'm on, along with chemo which has been a nightmare this time around, mainly because my body seems to be telling me it's had enough for a while.

The chemo on Wednesday went okay, but it;s the after efffects that kick in that are having the worst effect on me. I will just have to put up with it and muddle through.

Anyway I'm very grateful for your thoughts and thank you so much for thinking of me, it's just so tiring and I;m back off to bed once I;ve taken my meds, so I'll close now.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by Shannan on

Thanks for your reply Jenny.

One moment at a time, in grace and love, just one moment at a time, that's all we can do and all that is required of us. I hope that the sleep was a good, good one. Deep rest is the best for these bodies of ours.

We're all behind you and cheering you on lovely lady. Strength, light and God's divinity be with you as you navigate this part of the journey in your story. HUGS and have a blessed weekend xx

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thank you for your kind thoughts Shannon. I'm sorry this has taken so long to reply to. I've had a horrible time for weeks with this fourth chemo. But this weekend has seen my return to some sort of norm which I'm so grateful for.

Jenny. x

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

It breaks my heart you are going through this but I'm heartened to hear the doctor and nurses have been supportive and helpful, lean on them when you need strength. I pray these two years pass quicker than you imagine. We all miss your poems and stories but I know you will be back here posting again. Prayers of hope, strength and healing surround you.  

Penny4athought

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Penny, sorry this reply is so long in coming. It's been very hard to concentrate for the past months, the chemotherapy really takes a lot out of me, that I hardly recognize myself or have any sort of creative erge.

But this weekend has seen a return of sense in day to day chores and actually living. I'm having a good day today which is wonderful.

I really value your prayers of hope and strength. I hope that the chemo will give me a second chance at life sooner than two years, but I also know that the cancer could return, so I'm not going to be too hopeful, but I'm always trying to be positive about everything, even when I'm at my lowest.

I'm very grateful for your kind words Penny and all the good wishes are so appreciated.

Thank you.

Jenny. x

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Hi Jenny :0) It's so lovely to read you are a little better!!! I will imagine you in your garden with the birds around you. Please take care of yourself as you are VERY SPECIAL

XXXXX

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

You know it's quite sad Di, I haven't had the inclination to go for any walks or sit in the garden lately. The poor birds must wonder what's up, because I haven't fed them all summer due to so many hospital appointemts and this cancer treatment leaving me feeling fatigued and uninspired to do much at all, but I'm feeling so much better now, and the garden does look invitiing now the grass is a bit greener.

I will always try to take care of myself and feel so much better having such great friends on abc tales, it truly makes a difference. Thank you Di. smiley

Jenny. XXXXX

 

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