An Introduction

Who Am I? What is my story?

My name is Millie and I'm a teenage cancer survivor. In May 2016 I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (a semi - rare form of blood cancer). I felt like I lost quite a huge part of myself when I started to look different. My long, thick hair had completely fallen out, I lost and gained weight all the time, I also lost a lot of body muscle; my toned calves and flat stomach. Everything I had that I had begun to love about myself, was gone within weeks. As you can imagine, it's hard to stay positive and feel beautiful when you no longer recognise yourself, and it's true. There were so many days (and there still are) where I'd take a good long look at myself and think, well I wouldn't have this wrong with me or I wouldn't look like this if I hadn't gotten sick, and so on. And its okay to think that. It's totally natural, which is why I want to start this blog.

Why do I want to make this blog?

I can't say for certain whether everyone or no one will read this blog, but, even if there's just one person out there, someone who needs to know they're not alone, that it's normal to feel angry or even 'ugly', then I'd like to help that person. I'm by no means an expert in oncology or beauty or lifestyle, but I do have a decent experience of both, separately and together. It is possible to feel beautiful, because you are.

What will I write about?

Throughout my experience I changed a lot of things about myself from eating habits, exercise and skincare routines and even how I applied my makeup. At some points I had to make my own eyebrows, compromise mascara for eyeshadow and eyeliner and pull off wigs and headscarves. It's not easy, especially if you feel like no one is there to tell you 'how to do it properly', but that's what I hope to be able to do. I want to share my tips and tricks for feeling happier and and looking good no matter how different you may feel. I wish I had someone to advise me during my tough times so that's why I want to help others. It's a bit scary and annoying to feel totally alone in any aspect of this, so Iwant to be here for anyone who may stumble across here.