WELCOME

Hi, however you found your way to my page, either through a common sharing of HPV cancer diagnosis, or knowing or caring for someone who has been diagnosed , in treatment, or post treatment I hope you find a little common ground and something to relate or even smile about. Sharing makes it less lonely and having cancer is a lonely place to be. Mandi x

The Cockwart Saga

82. Another 6 week check up

Today is the eclipse, the first one in 27 years they said on the radio this morning in the car as I headed off to Addenbrookes again for the next 6 week check. After the one on 1st July where I was told NED this is now going to be a very routine 6/8 week thing where they do a quick nose cam and ask if I have any issues. I told the wonderful Mr Amen, yes I got to see my favourite ENT surgeon again this time 😍, I am having the all the expected side effects but its nothing tha

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Latest Stories

82. Another 6 week check up

Today is the eclipse, the first one in 27 years they said on the radio this morning in the car as I headed off to Addenbrookes again for the next 6 week check. After the one on 1st July where I was told NED this is now going to be a very routine 6/8 week thing where they do a quick nose cam and ask if I have any issues. I told the wonderful Mr Amen, yes I got to see my favourite ENT surgeon again this time 😍, I am having the all the expected side effects but its nothing tha

4 days ago4 min read

81. Coincidences or design?

This is post 81. I found out my Dad died in June, 4 days after his 81st birthday. No one bothered to let me know. We were estranged. In the words of forrest gump....'and thats all I want to say about that...t....'

5 days ago1 min read

80. What a year!

I don't normally post in the week now, usually every couple of Sundays, why I'm not sure, as no one reads these days. As most people find with cancer, once the emergency is over, once it becomes old news, once your told to go away and only come back to be checked now and then, you are meant to be cured, happy, grateful... so why would you need a cancer blog, or any readers after that?? 🥱 Mainly because cancer doesn't end, I was going to say doesn't end when they discharge yo

Aug 45 min read

79. Some like it Hot

Well we are in the 4th or 5th wave of extreme heat this summer so far, and this week its meant to reach the mid 30's again. Thank God for air con! I'm feeling still very drained and iffy most days, and mainly resting and sorting out the clothes room in short bursts of 30 mins before collapsing on the sofa again for the rest of the day. I'm almost out of Fortisip shakes after stretching out my 3 month supply from Jan and will have to 'go it alone' on calories as of the end of

Jul 273 min read

78. Back home and hurting.

Hello from Mandi Valentine HQ Well I can't believe its 5 days since I got home from holidaying in Greece. But I am still suffering the after effects of such a long week doing far too much and being far too hot most of the time. But I managed it and that's the main thing! There were no late nights, no bars, no clubs, a gentle swim and lots of laying around the pool, a couple of trips with as little walking as possible. But even so, from the moment I got home I knew I was going

Jul 203 min read

The Cockwart Saga is a journey of resilience, where every step forward is battle against myself as well as against cancer.

― The Cockwart Saga

Meet the Author

Welcome to my blog and I hope sharing the good days, the bad days, the screaming, and crying, the laughs and of course, the bad language help you understand this part of my life.

When I sat in that empty corridor on the 4th August 2025 staring at the deli ticket in my hand 'patient 27' I didn't know what was ahead of me.
I knew something wasn't right and had been sure it 'was' something for over a year, but like everyone you never think its going to be you, until it is you!
My first reaction was that I wouldn't even bother, and within 48 hours had booked and paid for my funeral.

I was ready to give in, after losing my mum finally from Frontal Lobe Dementia, and in a surreal un expected shock of an afternoon a week before, my beloved cat BOY, dying out of nowhere in my arms on our kitchen floor, I just felt like rolling over to the cosmic joker and holding up my hands and saying 'ok you win! I'll go quietly!'
But I haven't......
And here is where I tell my story... warts and all!

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