"I came up with 'A Little Peach Hug' in April 2016 following surgery and during brachytherapy treatment for Womb Cancer.
My cancer story had started in December 2015 following a year of unexplained bleeding. The diagnosis not only came as a shock to myself and my family but also to my GP.
At 39, just 3 months before my 40th birthday I found myself preparing for major surgery instead of for a birthday party. I was given handfuls of information and leaflets to take home and read by the Macmillan Nurses and found myself very overwhelmed. At the time, the thing I was having problems getting my head around was the fact I had never knowingly heard of womb cancer.
Before I went for surgery my husband had wanted to organise a little treat for me to cheer me up, but unfortunately I was to unwell. This was the first time I had thought about doing something, but obviously it was put to the back of my mind for the next two months. So in April the thought once again crossed my mind. I recalled hearing somewhere about gift bags being given to women being diagnosed with breast cancer and so with some thought, I decided to create my own version.
So, A Little Peach Hug is a little treat to let other women being diagnosed with womb cancer know that they are not on their own and to remind them that "They are Amazing!".
I was also aware of my own health and wanted to do make the gift bags manageable. I knew that September was womb cancer awareness month and so I had a target date for putting plans into action. I knew I could realistically only provide bags for ladies locally and decided that as I live and was treated in Greater Manchester I would plan for providing bags there. I was very surprised right from the start, with offers of items for the first set of bags. It also became a talking point, and a great way of spreading awareness.
As I was still having treatment and recovering, I started collecting items for 20 bags and I am pleased to say that they were delivered to the Macmillan Nurses at Manchester Royal Infirmary/St Mary's for their womb cancer awareness event. I've also been able to make up 40 slightly smaller bags which contain items for a pamper and truly are 'Little Peach Hugs'!
I am very proud, seeing the bags coming together and excited for them to finally be distributed."
xx Kaz xx