Lucky Number 8

Some people find it odd that my favourite number is 8. It's the date I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia: 8th May 2006. Nineteen years ago. (I had the all clear in 2011!)

Now, don’t get me wrong, hearing those words and realising how sick I was didn’t make me think, “Great! New lucky number!” Far from it. That day brought chaos, fear, and heartbreak to me and everyone I loved.

But over time, I’ve come to see that diagnosis as a strange turning point. Because of it, I’ve met some of the most incredible people and learned to find light in the darkest places. I’m relentlessly optimistic (annoyingly so, I’ve been told), and I think I owe a lot of that to 8th May 2006.

That experience changed everything, my outlook, my gratitude for the little things, like not being hooked up to a drip or relying on meds to stay alive. And just when I thought the worst had passed, I had a stroke in October 2006. Round two of hell.

There’s a lot more to my story (shameless plug, it's all in my book on Amazon 😄).

I know I can talk forever, and if I’m not careful, this could turn into my second book. So here’s the point...

Enjoy every day. Embrace the tough ones, because tomorrow might be even just 1% better. Say yes to the scary stuff. Say no when you need rest. And most importantly, tell your people you love them. We wait too long to say the things that matter, saving them for funerals when they should be part of everyday life.

Peace out, until the next blog… or book 😉

Leena x