Glittering a Turd: How surviving the unsurvivable taught me to live: The Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller

Product Information

Kris stepped down as Coppafeel! c.e.o. three years ago but still works for the charity part-time. She writes and speaks regularly about her experiences In the very same setting where I and my friend work, another colleague has a daughter who was told by a MALE GP that her bleeding between periods was likely due to rough sex with her boyfriend!! After pushing to get a cervical smear, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer and subsequently treated!! What an inspiring story of a 23 year olds journey with what started as breast cancer during a pandemic. I loved how witty it was and how the authors spirits were so high. I’ve read a few memoirs and this was so powerful. Hallenga founded Coppafeel!, which educates young people about the signs and symptoms of cancer, after she was diagnosed with Stage 4, secondary, incurable breast cancer aged 23. She was told she stood a one in10 chance of surviving beyond five years and Unbound said the launch marks 11 years since her diagnosis.

I appreciate money is super tight for so many people so am offering this tier for people who still would like access but have minimal funds. If you can afford more please leave this tier for others. Thank you so much.The struggle is real enough without anything , or anyone, added to it. In needing to add that this person is someone's mother, someone's daughter, someone's sister, we are conditioned to think we are not enough to simply be someone. This episode is supported by BetterHelp. Learn more and save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/GAT I’ve followed the work of Kris Hallenga since I was first diagnosed with cancer and became aware of enthusiastic students bouncing around in giant boob costumes. But in my community (myositis), it seems like being a woman, and being a woman of colour, already makes you start with a disadvantage. I know she hates being called inspirational but she is. And not necessarily for all the cancer stuff but for the absolute zest for life that she has. She has inspired me to make want to make myself happy and what more do you need?

Gaby is steadfast in remaining 33 (you’ll hear why) but also where her sunny disposition comes from, and how it pulled her through her turd and is something she has imbued into her own children. Gaby isn't apologetic about her outlook on life, her positivity isn't toxic it is a case of she is who she is, and who she is is a total joy! Her outlook on cancer and living with cancer is so life affirming. I’ve mentioned it before but I’ll mention it again for the sake of this review; I lost my father in 2017, 9 months after a terminal diagnosis of cancer and the whole time was a horrible, difficult, turd of a time, and it would have been very easy to crumble. As I’m sure Kris did at times, but she also learnt how to live. Yes she was given a terminal diagnosis, but cancer diagnoses are no longer always the death sentence they once were. She was given 2-3 years life expectancy and here she is, over ten years later. Kris tells her story of how its changed the way she lives her life, from how she's surviving, despite many medical treatments, to information on the charity "Coppafeel" which she set up and raises money every year to support breast cancer sufferers.In this episode, Laura opens up to Kris about the highs and lows she experienced while living out her ‘blue crush dream’, including a fierce battle with bulimia that consumed her at the height of her years in competitive sport. She speaks candidly about some of her darkest moments, her fear of failure and pinpoints the exact moment she realised that she needed help. Radiotherapy to spine commenced, followed by chemo commenced - FEC-T and eventually a left mastectomy followed by chest radiotherapy. Shortly after I commenced Tamoxifen and monthly zometa IV. New tiny brain lesion followed by stereotactic radiotherapy. Two new liver lesions. Oophorectomy to ensure little to no oestrogen in my body. Stopped letrozole, switched to exemestane and affinitor. Later switched from Affinitor to Palbociclib targeted treatment. Monthly denusomab injections. From being a twin obviously there was a lot of emotions to be read during this. I was so angry at the GP and felt every bit of anger and hurt the family was going through. For me the quotes within this read were inspirational. I loved the notes from the mums baby book about when the twins were young and I loved the mini journal entries and dates.

Please do rate and review the podcast as it helps others discover it, and if you want to share the story of how you've glittered your turd, send a voice note or WhatsApp to the Turd Hotline >>> +44 (0)776 923 7544 Feb told it was secondary breast cancer - it had already spread to my lower spine (which explained the immeasurable pain). I love every part of Kris story she did not shy away from any of crap that she going with her cancer. Rage at the egotistical, dismissive, offhand, "I know better because I'm a professional type" doctors who won't f**king listen to their patients who know their own bodies best!!!! This book just brings home how disparaging some doctors, particularly GP's can be, towards women with clear symptoms of cancer. For some reason there seems to be a "can't be arsed" attitude to even refer people for scans, biopsies, mammograms, ultrasound scans, MRI's. Everything is dismissed as "your hormones, your age, your lifestyle", with a definite leaning towards the "watch and wait" scenario. It's not good enough, nor has it ever been. Little did Kris know it was cancer that would lead her to a life she had never considered: a happy one. From founding a charity to visiting Downing Street, campaigning at festivals to appearing on TV, and being present at the birth of her nephew; in the face of all the possible prognoses, Kris is surviving, thriving, and resolutely living.

But Darren’s journey hasn’t always been smooth. His father died by suicide while in prison when Darren was just 11 years old. As he and Kris sit down for a chat, he explains what a profound impact this had on his life, how it became a catalyst for him exploring the world of comedy, his experiences with therapy and the difficult years that fell in between. I have, over the years, integrated other treatments alongside my conventional regimen. I’ve tried all the below - and have marked the ones I am currently still benefitting from. I got this as a library loan and raced through it in under a day. It has taken me a while to review however as I was in a complete rage after reading. A wonderful book from Kris Hallenga who was diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years ago and is still very much living her life! Fans of Love Island might recognise Laura from season 4 of the show, but others will likely know her from her incredible sporting career as a pro surfer and model. She’d been making waves in the sporting world from her early teens, clinching the title of UK Champion at just 14 years old before deciding to retire at 21.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com/GAT today to get 10% off your first month. The beaming and infectious Gaby Roslin has been a much loved stable on our TVs and Radios for over 30 years whether it was hosting the Big Breakfast, Children In Need or on various radio shows or more recently on her own podcast.There can’t be a better title than this one. Glittering a Turd is the story of Kris Hallenga, CEO of Coppafeel the charity which encourages people to examine their breasts and pecs, twin sister to Maren, and a force of nature who by the way has cancer..Kris explains the choice of title much better than I could, but suffice to say being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 23 is pretty much *