A Letter To ABC Tales Friends

Gold cherry

By skinner_jennifer

Mon, 24 Aug 2026
  • 504 reads
32 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certificate U
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Scrap Book Of Memories
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by GlosKat on

Jenny it's lovely to hear from you again.  You concentrate on getting better and just write when you can.  We are all thinking of you and wishing you well.  Kat x

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Kat,

I've just got back from the seeing the nurse. Had my second B12 injection, my arm feels so stiff, but I know it's only temporary. It was so kind of you to take the time to comment and I'm very grateful.

Thank you.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

It's lovely to hear from you Jenny, but please don't worry if you don't feel up to it. We are all thinking about you and wishing you a swift recovery, and I'm so pleased you've found some good people who are looking after you properly. Sending you a very big hug and good wishes, and we will always be here for you when you feel less rubbish xx

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Dear Claudine, you'll never know how grateful I am to you and everyone for your kind thoughts. I'm not too bad today, have had my second nine week B12 injection and then I'm seeing the hospital doctor on Thursday to find out about my second scan...wish me luck. Then on Friday I have a Short Synacthen Test, where the nurses fit me with a cannula and feed the Synacthen up the tube, followed by another blood test. It's all very technical so I won't go on.

My eyes were full of tears at the lovely comments everyone has offered and to know there's so much love I am so grateful.

Thanking you.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Glad the nurses are proving friends. It is tough journey for you, one step at a time, and be glad if you can sleep. Often wondering how you're getting on, and praying. God knows what comfort you need.

much love, Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Dear Rhiannon,

tears fill my eyes as I type this. So much love is so appreciated after the hell I've been living with. Having chemotherapy is pretty rough and doesn't get easier, but to know I'm getting help makes up for the harshness. I'm just so glad to still be here and although my journey is long, I'm just taking each day as it comes.

Prayers are very much appreciated and to know God is there is a great comfort.

Many thanks for taking the time to comment.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

 

 

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

Dear Jenny

Thank you so much for taking the time, and I imagine the extreme effort to contact us. A long path which is needing very small steps and hopefully will get you there.

Our thoughts and wishes with you.

Lindy

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Dear Lindy,

gosh my journey is going to be hard, two years seems so long, but to know I have so many good friends here really makes a difference to my attitude being positive.

After having my second B12 injection today, my arm, neck and shoulder are sore and stiff, but needs must. I'm due to see the hospital doctor on Thursday about the results of my second scan...just hope the results are good, but I'm not holding out for celebrations just yet.

You are so kind to think of me, it's so wonderful to know so many like yourself care enough to leave a comment. For your kind thoughts Thank you so much.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by Turlough on

You know you are greatly missed on ABCtales, Jenny, and it’s very good of you to let us know how you are getting on with your treatment and life in general which has obviously become very difficult. I was glad to read how well you are coping with what has been thrown at you, trying to keep yourself comfortable, getting through the chemotherapy with all its additional medication and hospital visits, and getting your strength back. I admire you for persevering with it and for being able to write about it.

Good on you! My thoughts are with you, as are my hopes for some better times ahead.

x

Turlough

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Bless you dear Turlough,

life is very different to what I anticipated at 72, thought I'd be fit and running around in retirement, but sadly it's not to be. The one thing I can take from all this, is that we should all look after ourselves and not take a moment for granted, Today is a good day and I'm making the most of it. Going to make some parsnip soup later, it's yummy and I'm really into soup at the moment.

I can't believe how horrible everything tastes while I'm on chemo, but I'm still enjoying my food...thank goodness, I hear so many stories of people going off their food and losing so much weight, where as I'm actually gaining pounds, I think having to take steroids is making me hungrier.

It's lovely to hear from you and thank you also for your kind thoughts.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by Ewan on

  our pick of the day today, thank you for sharing this with us.

Author Page at the 'Zon
 

Submitted by Turlough on

And I'm really pleased that this is the pick of the day. 

Turlough

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thank you so much for the gold cherries Ewan. Tears have been filling my eyes with happiness with all the kind words and these were the cherries on top of the cake.

Thank you again.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Jenny, Thank You so much for giving your time to writing this. Thinking about you every day and not wanting to bother you.
Chemotherapy sounds very frightening, you are very strong and brave. And in the heat, as well!!! Hopefully Autumn is just stretching out towards you know, with cool arms.
It's so good to learn you have met up with kind MacMillan nurses, and that the problem is being addressed, and you are not alone.
Whenever and whatever you want to write, we all value hearing from you SO much, you are so very treasured

XXX

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Dear friend,

it's lovely to hear from you Di. Ypu're right chemo is really frightening, because you don't really know what it's doing to your insides, but I'm still here and fighting, so for that I'm really grateful. I feel okay to day, even after my B12 injection which has left my arm quite painful. 

Next week I have my fourth chemo and will have to go through the whole five days of feeling like death again, but at least now I know what to expect, I just hope I don't get sprung with any more nasty surprises, but they seem to come every month, which makes it hard to plan anything these days, just have to concentrate on the cancer and that's it.

I'm getting a bit tired, so I'll close for now, but thank you so much for your lovely thoughts and kind words.

Jenny. XXX

 

Submitted by celticman on

ah, Jenny, it's a tough old life, but it's still life. Rest up. Get strong. Good to go again. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Jack, I'm trying to rest up, but it's hard on good days I just want to get on, but now I'm starting to feel a bit tired. 

I'm grateful for your thoughts, they give me a boost.

Many thanks.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

So lovely to hear from you again, Jenny. We miss you so much here. Put all your energies into coping with your treatments and day to day life, we're always here when you feel ready to get back in touch. Will be thinking of you on 2nd Sept. x

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Dear airyfairy,

I miss you all too, but my energy does run low these days and I can't seem to concentrate for very long. One minute I'm fine, then it hits me and I just can't think straight.

That's very kind of you to think of me on 2nd September. It's six hours of me just sleeping through the whole process, which I seem to have been doing a lot lately, but rest is important.

I'm feeling tired, so I'm sorry this is a bit short, but thank you again.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by Jac B on

I'm wishing you the best hope and care possible. Love one another because in the end there's no other. Jacques.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Bless you Jaques,

it's lovely to hear from you, hope you're doing okay. 

Thank you for your kind words and I'm very grateful.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Hi Jenny, you have been in my thoughts, especially in this punishing heat; for anybody with a health condition this summer has added much extra strain. It must feel like you're on a conveyor belt with medications and treatments hitting you from all angles, your phsiology coping with side effects on top of the illness and your mind struggling to process it all.

If you're anything like me, my brain digests every detail very slowly and I struggle to keep up with life, you must feel overwhelmed so creative activities are off the menu but I really appreciate you checking in and keeping us updated. Hopefully you will get some relief with fresher autumn air coming in. We can always go back and read through your many stellar contributions on here. I especially enjoy reading about your young life with your baby and how you escaped and showed that you had so much grit and fortitude. Sending lots of love and positive thoughts to you xxx

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Dear Jane,

you've got how I feel exactly right, it's a long hard road I'm traveling down and it doesn't get any easier with not knowing what's coming next, but I'm taking each day as it comes and not worrying too much. It's the tiredness and nausea, even with the medication to help take away the feeling, then there's that dreaded intense heat, I don't think I've ever cried so much as I have this summer.

I'm so looking forward to Autumn and Winter, what a relief it will be to feel the rain again which I haven't seen since the end of May, there's so much dust around and you can feel it in the air.

I'm glad you're enjoying reading some of my old stuff. It's times like this that it makes you realize how important abc tales is to capture those special moments in life.

I'm very grateful to you for taking the time to share your thoughts and you will never know how much it means to me. 

Thank you Jane.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by hilary west on

Hi Jenny,

So nice to hear from you. The important thing is you get well. Don't worry about ABC I am sure it will outlive us all. You need all your strength for your treatments. Keep going, we are all rooting for you.

Take care,

Hilary     heart 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Bless you Hilary,

I've a very special place in my heart for abc tales and I don't think I'll ever find another community so commited to each other...sorry I'm starting to well up, it's all very emotional, but thank you for sharing and thank you for caring. 

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by Ivan the OK-ish on

Stay strong Jenny. Everyone at ABCtales is rooting for you. There will be light at the end of the tunnel. 

ITOI

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

 

Dear ITO! I can hardly see through the tears that are in my eyes. Sorry this is hard for me.

From the bottom of my heart Thank you so much.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by marandina on

Hi Jenny. Well done for having the energy and strength to post an update. I can only imagine how tough it must be with medics coming at you from all sides. I'm glad Macmillan are involved as they have a wonderful reputation. You know you have many friends wishing you well at ABCTales.

Take good care of yourself.

Paul x

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Dear Paul,

I;m extremely emotional right now. It's very tough and each day I just thank the lord that I'm still here to write this comment.

Sorry I can hardly type. I'm really grateful for your kind words. I will have to keep it short as I'm so tired. So sorry, hope you understand.

Lots of Love.

Jenny. xx

 

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