I’ve had such a phenomenal past couple of weeks, I haven’t had time to think about what I have ahead of me a week from Monday.
First of all, we launched the latest 30% Club campaign ‘The Missing Millions’ at the London Stock Exchange last Friday morning. Although it was my third time opening the market, it was still very exciting. In fact, I was told that it was one of the biggest and best market opens at the stock exchange. We had a fantastic group of global CEOs as well as the Chair of the Stock Exchange for our opening panel followed by a brilliant panel moderated by my dear friend Christiane and a standing room only theatre of wonderful supporters. It was the culmination of a year’s work from our very dynamic workgroup and the start of what we hope will be a movement of companies coming forward with examples putting a gender lens across everything they do – from product and service design to marketing and advertising, supply chain and strategy. It was magical.
On top of that, I’ve had many lovely dinners and drinks evenings arranged by various groups of friends – all of which were great fun and have forced me to spend time catching up with people and counting my blessings for so many wonderful friendships.
And then last Sunday evening India and I joined my friend Emma and her daughter Alice to see Hillary and Chelsea in conversation with Mary Beard about their new book, ‘Gutsy Women’. It was a super evening and all three were inspiring. I was then pleased to be invited to see Hillary in conversation with my friend Julia Gillard on Wednesday at King’s College. I told Julia about Hillary’s presence in hospital with me almost 3 years ago (in the form of a life-sized cutout, courtesy of Gabrielle), and I asked if she could introduce me to her – and she did. I have to say that it was a real highlight for me. Hillary was warm and engaging and she had incredible presence. I had to stop myself crying (which I find myself having to do a lot lately).
Roll forward to yesterday (Friday) when Trend and I found ourselves back in Basingstoke for my pre-op stuff – blood tests, heart rate, meet the anaesthestist, etc. The nurse who took my blood, Naomi, remembered me from the first time around and asked if I would be bringing Hillary back this time which helped lighten the mood. Otherwise, it was all a bit real. A week from tomorrow we check-in and then on Monday morning I’m off to be sedated at about 7:30am. I was reminded that even though there are fewer organs to come out this time, the fact that it’s my second op means that it will be more complicated and it will be very similar to the first in terms of recovery. I’m hopeful that they’ll open me up and find it isn’t quite as bad as they expect.
Trend will pick up the blog post for a while and will report on things when I’m out of surgery on Monday evening. I expect to be in Intensive Care for at least 4 nights, and then back on the Lyde Ward as before for another two weeks. But we won’t really know much until after the op. I’m getting to the point now where I just want to get it over with and get started on the recovery.
Brenda won't back down 
Amazing journey you’re on at the moment, Brenda. And what a highlight to meet Hilary Clinton – like you, an extraordinary woman. Sending you love and best wishes for the next stage of the journey xxx
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Dear Brenda
Sounds like a wonderful few weeks! Wishing you all the best for next week
You’re always in my prayers
Diana xx
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Brenda, so pleased you got your photo with Hilary!!!!
Look forward to seeing you when you are home x
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Hi Brenda,
Thank you for the update. I am so happy to hear you had an amazing few weeks, well deserved! I hope and pray the surgery, recovery go smoothly and the results come out miraculously good. You got this Brenda, sending you hugs!
– Tahsina
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Hoping you have the best Sunday EVER planned. xxx Am sure that all will go well and you’;ll be fighting fit in no time xxx
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Sure Hilary recognised the effective drive & impact that you radiate and that you share. I know you take all this as it comes and make the best of it – but I will be thinking and praying for you too – for an easier journey and better outcome. xx Jane
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Hi Brenda, you truly have enjoyed an amazing journey this past year! All the best for your op. Keep the Faith 🙏🏻 Will keep you in our prayers. Love, Elfriede & Des, South Africa.
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Hi Sweetie,
Your blog was well done. I replied with. My little blog to you and I couldn’t send it for some reason and lost it. I will call you tomorrow. I am glad that you had a wonderful two weeks with everyone and summed it up with Hilary. It sounds like you may take her to hospital with you as a room mate. It would be a great distraction and perhaps good for you. Think about it.
Hope that you had a good day.
Loads of Love
Mummy xoxoxoxo
Sent from my iPad
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Darling Brenda, you amazing, inspiring, brilliant friend. We love you so much and are sending healing vibes over to you every day. With you… Babs and Jen X
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Just great to see you having fun & looking great. Will be thinking of you and sending hugs for the week ahead.
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Formidable and fabulous women. I will be thinking of you and sending positive mendy vibes over the next few weeks.
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Enjoy the pre-med like a good gin and tonic. (You might as well since I don’t think they’ll allow any in the post- op drip!)
Looking forward to catching up with you in the new year. A tough time ahead but there’s none better than you to deal with it. Much love Jane
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Adding my voice of support and strength to your amazing network of friends and admirers. Sending hugs and positive energy for the fight ahead. You go girl!
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We’ll be thinking of you Brenda! Like Hilary, you are a fighter and as we all know, Gutsy Women always come out on top in all the important things in life! Xxx. Tamara, James & Hugo
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Dear Bren
What a fab pic of you and Hilary!! Praying for you on 25th. Have a word with St Jude: https://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/prayer-to-st-jude.html
Lots of love,
Liz, Gordon, Maisie, Shauna and the Camp-Sorensen animals xoxox
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Where there’s a woman there’s a way and come hell or high water you were getting that picture! Now hurry up back to us, your name is on that British 10k vest right next to us. Much love Sarah, Adrian & Alexander x x x
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Sending you all masses of love and thinking of you today. As you say, good to get the op kicked off and move into the recovery phase. Sending you positive vibes. Soup ready whenever it’s needed. LOVE you! Lucinda, Maxl, Will and Zed xxxxx
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