About

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Hi, I’m Alice. There are three things you should know about me:

  1. I am phenomenally ordinary in every aspect of my life.
  2. Except for two things. My bloodwork and my resilience. I don’t mean to brag, but apparently where they’re concerned, I’m rather extraordinary.
  3. I really, really love owls.

14 Comments

  1. Hi Alice, I am a friend of your Aunt Bibs and went to the same school as your Mum, (my Mum was the school nurse there). I have been reading your blog since Bibs told me about your diagnosis and I think you are an amazing woman; strong, funny, resilient, great writer; to mention a few things.
    I have signed up for donation testing, in the older person category of course, and await my swabs with the hope that I can be of some use at this stage of my life.
    Your Dad’s blog was great to read this week as are yours and if you will forgive me, to be slushy, I have such respect for you all.

    • Thank you Lou, for such kind words, means a lot to hear you’ve signed up. My Dad is lovely, I’m very lucky to have him, and all my family, obviously! Thank you for reading x

  2. Hi Alice,
    I work on the breakfast programme on BBC Radio Oxford and have just come across your story in the Oxford Mail. Such great news, congratulations! Would you be interested in an interview on the radio next week please? We would love to invite you to our studio in Summertown, Oxford for a live interview with Howard Bentham.
    Thank you, Georgie 01865 889099/889005

  3. Hi Alice,

    I’ve stumbled upon your blog almost by accident through your twitter but I am very glad I have.

    I was also diagnosed with a rare blood cancer back in October called myelofibrosis. I will also be having to have a bone marrow transplant at some point in my lifetime. This condition is again most common in people aged over 60 like MDS and I myself am a young diagnosis aged 22, also weirdly currently living in Cardiff!

    Anyway I’d just like to praise how positive you have been reacting to this condition. Reading you blogs have definitely helped me & I would like to say you have found a new regular reader.

    It seems like you are coping extremely well with it all, but if you would like to talk to someone who is sort of in a similar position, feel free to get in touch. I myself have joined a myelofibrosis support group on facebook & the members on there have been extremely insightful, supportive & positive which has definetly helped me.

    All the best,

    Raj

    • Hi Raj, thanks so much for commenting, it’s so interesting to hear your side of such a surprising turn of events, I’m sure you can empathise with pretty much everything you’ve read! Thanks for such a nice comment, I’m wishing you loads of luck for your BMT, donor hunting, and I’m now off to do some reading on myelofibrosis. If you ever want to meet up in Cardiff for a chat just drop me a word x

      • Hi Alice,

        Yeah I’d absolutely love to meet up for a chat sometime if you’re interested.

        Feel free to get in contact at [email protected].

        Thanks

  4. Hi Alice
    I love your positive attitude, an inspiration to us all. I had MDS myself 3 years ago and I am a bit nearer the average age group for the condition! Anthony Nolan working with the Churchill Hospital found a good match in Germany as like you my three siblings did not match (two of them matched each other but not much use to me!!). The Bone Marrow Team at the Churchill are just brilliant , caring, thoughtful and so supportive.I am 3 years post transplant and most days forget I ever went through it all so I can only send you my very best wishes and just say keep your lovely positive attitude. If I can be of any help or you have any questions you only have to ask. I live in Oxford. Best wishes Nicky

    • Hi Nicky, that’s so good to hear, thank you for such a kind and positive comment, definitely fills me with a bit more confidence about it all! Looking forward to meeting the rest of the team at the Churchill and i’m so glad that you’re making a great recovery, Alice x

  5. Hi Alice, I’m friends with your best friend Emily brown through work, but I also went to Marsh Gibbon. I don’t know if you remember me? I just wanted to write to tell you how much admiration I have for you, your positive attitude, your amazing wit, and stunning outlook on this series of events. Your blog has made me laugh and made me cry and through reading your wonderful words, I have really tried to think twice before complaining about the trivial things that go on in my everyday life. I can’t pretend to have stuck to this completely but I’m trying my very best! I go to university in Bristol and I don’t know how much you’re in Cardiff but I would love to meet up (maybe with Emily too?) and give you a big hug! Wishing you all the best and sending out love! Xx

    • Hey Elly, of course I do. So good to hear from you and thanks for reading and leaving such a kind message. Haha complaining about the little things is what keeps us sane (definitely me, too), so I wouldn’t worry, but that’s really sweet to say. Would love to, maybe a while till I’m back in the area but so kind of you to ask šŸ™‚ x

      • Hi Alice! I’ve only just seen your reply to this, I’m so sorry! I’m still up for a coffee when I’m back in bucks if you fancy it? I’ll let you know nearer the time anyway! I can’t stop reading your posts, you’re so captivating and I could borrow your writing skills for this essay I’m about so start. Maybe the lecturers would appreciate the wit? Xxx

  6. Alice,
    You remind me of your grandad. If he’d written a blog, I think it’d have read and sounded a lot like yours. Colin was one of a kind and so, self evidently, are you. Spirit must be hereditary! One last thing though: You’re supposed to capitalise the “g” in God šŸ™‚ Don’t let the bastards get you down and consider yourself covered in love from my direction.
    Keith (Sancha’s husband)

  7. Hi to Alice’s family,
    I didn’t know Alice & have only discovered her fantastic blog today after learning of her passing away through the team at Anthony Nolan (as I volunteer for them at York uni). This evening I have read every single one of her absolutely captivating posts, & just wanted to say that the way Alice wrote was so moving & yet so humorous all at the same time, it’s clear that she had such a raw talent. You must be so so very proud of her.
    Katy x

  8. Hi,Alice.
    I red the story of you today in China.Thank u for your optimism and bravery. Iā€™m really really inspired by you and so will much other people.

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