iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

A day in the (podcast) office? Nope but this photo was taken as we planned the content for the ‘Laugh Before Death’ episode recorded today. Spoiler: episode is be about the importance of art & craft when living with cancer. Listen to previous episodes on: open.spotify.com/show/4L343Uh...

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Planning meeting for our next podcast. Better than any day in the office! #cansky #cancer

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

You know you have #chemobrain you scrape uneaten dog food into your slow cooked curry AND NOT the bin. Tonight won’t be the night to start up a new complex art project for #thelongmiddle exhibition then! #livingwithcancer #cerealfordinner #cansky #cancer

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Mand & I are part of a great project (art & craft exhibition for #metastaticbreastcancer) We call ourselves ‘Chronic Cancer Collective’ (Facebook)/ Chronic_Cancer_Collective (Insta). Follow us on those platforms if you haven’t yet sacked them off 😂 Here we are with the gang. #art #cansky #cancer

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Mand is under pressure to get her art & craft room under control, ready for the art exhibition we’ve been asked to participate in 👩‍🎨 We’re both super excited. Follow our ‘chronic cancer collective’ on Facebook and Instagram for updates from us and our gang. #art #cansky #cancer

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Midmorning snack to feed the #chemo belly… but also a face, right? #cansky #cancer #pareidolia

Image depicts an open sandwich and red cabbage coleslaw, which in combination looks a bit like a face.

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Reposted by Heidi & Mand

Visions of Hope @visions-of-hope.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

2 days ago I got a probable testicular cancer diagnosis. I’ve already had 2 ultrasounds, a CT scan, blood tests and a multi disciplinary team is going to discuss my case on Tuesday. I’ll probably be in surgery within a month FOR FREE. Don’t let ANYONE tell you the NHS isn’t fit for purpose. 💙🤍

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Reposted by Heidi & Mand

Sid Sadler @sadlersnaps.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Hey. I get it. It’s hard to find what to say to someone you know or love, when they tell you they were diagnosed with cancer. But one golden rule I’ll tell you. No matter what….. Just listen. It means a lot. 🤷🏻‍♂️ #Cansky

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Whoopsie! All the best laid plans (for reverse Lino printing text) and all that. My first ever attempt and I nearly got it. No probs, it is a chance to try and try again. It’s all about the process, right fellow #creatives? Image is about the joy of friends in this #cancer life. #cansky #art

Image show draft of lino print (blue on white back ground). Focus is on text that has been reversed so letters are correct albeit in the reverse order.

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

On reflection, we’re completely ourselves… That’s the title and gist of our latest episode. We multitasked and had our photos done at the same time. We didn’t check the sound levels before recording so the audio is dicey in places. Fair warning open.spotify.com/show/4L343Uh... #cansky #cancer

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Sunshine & #cancer achievement. I have to REAPPLY for my medical exemption card. These cards are valid for five years at a time. Takes no calculator to work out I’ve lived for 5 years with #metastaticCancer. When I was diagnosed, surviving in the medium term was only a tentative #hope #cansky

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

We’re chuffed our podcast keeps being listened to. There’s a bit of a (wonderful) pattern to our audience behaviour; binge-listening (i.e. several episodes are consumed at a time). What a compliment! Here’s a link in case you fancy binging too: open.spotify.com/show/4L343Uh... #cansky #cancer

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Mand’s trying SO hard to blend in BUT I know she’s no wall flower! (she usually wears bright clothing). Here she is before a wellbeing retreat getting ready to enjoy herself. You have to love the woman, if not her energy 😆❤️ Living well with #cancer #cansky #metastaticCancer #CancerDinosaur

Mand posing in hotel room. The decor is muted/ cream and Mand wears a grey top.

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

NHS equipment and a purposeful walk towards the reception area? Must be time for my #CTscan! ‘Beam me up, Scotty’. #cansky #cancer

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Going for a CT scan tomorrow. Respect to your bruise 🫡

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Just about to get over the #chemo hump for this cycle and I’ve finished my #feltart. No title as yet but I’ve written a #poem to go with it. It’s in the ALT text. Small acts of art on tough days make life feel okay, don’t you agree?! #cansky #cancer #art

Ever wondered if you could go that ‘extra mile’?
Get on and grab life by the knackers?

My heroic alter ego says ‘of course’ but on the chemo-hump-days my body just goes bleurgh, “you must be kidding” it protests!

Then my mind and my pack push me,
entice me with cream cake magic,
even crack the best joke ever,

and I grab on to life and get going,
just one cycle at a time.

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Message from Mand: It’s 11 years today since I received my diagnosis of secondary breast cancer. I’m so grateful to still be here, with so much joy and abundance cocooned in love. My mission for this year is to share love and positivity everywhere I go ♥️ #cancerdinosaur #cansky #cancer

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Our #cancer support group is a diverse collection of women, and when we get together conversations are hilariously funny, honest, and dark in equal measures. Meeting with #CancerComrades is a tonic for this crap situation. #cansky #MetastaticCancer

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

Remember how I was knitting during my last #chemo infusion, for an #artproject? Well, I transformed the knitted patch to felt and here’s the beginning of a felt self portrait. Watch this space! #cansky #art in a #cancerworld

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Reposted by Heidi & Mand

Sid Sadler @sadlersnaps.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Sooo, let’s talk about NED Vs. “Cancer Free”. #Cansky

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Good morning #cansky 👋 Morning coffee in bed and deep pressure by our pooches. Good start to this Saturday. Anyone else flanked by their pets this morning? #petsky

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

#cansky and anyone in the sphere of #MetastaticCancer This article describes our lives so beautifully. I’ve looked for something to describe the uncertainty of living with a terminal diseases and ‘long middle’ captures it perfectly. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

theguardian.com

I have stage four cancer – there will be no cure, but death isn’t necessarily imminent: this is how it feels to live in the long middle

When you are cured, the world cheers; when you are dying, it mourns. But when you are simply maintaining, the world is at a loss

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

@sadlersnaps.bsky.social, you inspired me this beautiful Sunday morning: My ‘go to’ song is this: music.apple.com/gb/album/mov... #cansky what’s yours?

music.apple.com

Movin' On Up by Primal Scream on Apple Music

Song · 1991 · Duration 3:48

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Won’t say this is a metaphor for recovering from #chemocycles because it’s too magical and promising. I think the sun will be out later! #cansky #cancer #metastaticcancer

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

New episode alert ‼️ We are not prolific but we talk about the serious stuff. This one is about a good death (and you’ll be pleased to know that involves a good life too). It’s called “all we need is love (an episode about dying)” Link: open.spotify.com/show/4L343Uh... #cansky #cancer #death

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

View from the #ChemoChair New #art project to distract and alleviate boredom. Involves felting, inspired by an 80s craft book. Hopefully the outcome would not need to be kept in that decade 😆 I’ll keep you updated on progress (crafting, not #cancer that is) #cansky

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

A little treat for my chemo therapy this week. Who else makes their cancer journey a little better by reading and enjoying art? I see you, you intellectuals 🤓😂 I really enjoy Posy Simmonds. Bonus is that I got it from a charity shop. #cancer #cansky #GraphicNovels

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Presenting Mand’s hair transformation to match her energised fitness levels… and fabulous legs (her words, not mine 😆). Joking aside, Mand has lived 10 years with #MetastaticCancer and is experiencing a new lease of life. And yes, she does look fantastic ❤️ #cansky #oncsky #cancer

Mand is smiling at the camera. Purpose of photo is to show Heidi her new hair style.

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

Heidi’s self portrait & poem on #MetastaticCancer & relationships. “Hey, look at me, looking at you, not locking eyes, NO siree! Locking on to life instead, mine, and yours, and theirs, so much easier when it’s a good week, and so much more important when it’s not” #cansky #cancer #art

Felt self portrait in a retro white and gold frame. Portrait is a cartoonish version of Heidi. It is accompanied with the following poem:

“Hey, look at me,
looking at you,
not locking eyes,
NO siree!
Locking on to life instead,
mine, and yours, and theirs,
so much easier when it’s a good week,
and so much more important when it’s not”

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

I enjoyed seeing this post today 💙

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Modern technology really doesn’t come naturally to us… but you can’t fault our perseverance! Just recording a podcast episode on the work of #deathdoula We talk about death and dying so you feel you can too. #cansky #cancer #oncsky

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Fancy helping out a bachelor student with her dissertation? It’s about our views ‘call outs’ of people accused of crimes (but not yet convicted). Form takes between 5-10minutes. Please share with your network forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/Respon...

forms.cloud.microsoft

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

What sorcery has brought on this blue sky?! #cansky #cancer

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

We mightn’t be here for a long time, but at least we’ll have a good time! This ‘oldie but goodie’ podcast episode is about gallows humour, and the importance of having fun when living with a terminal disease. #cansky #oncsky #cancer open.spotify.com/episode/56FT...

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Monday morning #Haiku from Mand with her very own art work. ‘Yawn and stretch to wake, Today will be amazing, My mind is made up’ It may rain for the umpteenth day but it’ll be a good day. Mand says so 😁 #cancer #cansky #oncsky

Ink and water(ish) type of paint on fabric depicting a landscape with trees and a river. Added to the picture is a haiku with the following text:

‘Yawn and stretch to wake,
Today will be amazing,
My mind is made up’

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Before #metastaticcancer diagnosis, I didn’t know most spas/ beauticians aren’t trained/insured to give us treatment. Imagine that, at a point when TLC is most appreciated… Anyway, I’m beaming because I’ve just had a specialist massage at @macmillancancer.bsky.social #cancer #cansky

Heidi smiling after a head and neck massage. Nurse mentioned red marks on faceband sticky up hair and this was attempted to be captured on the photo.

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

The cancer treatments were on TODAY, were not available at the time of either of our diagnosis. We both have metastatic cancer (post 10 years and post 4 years of diagnosis) Research really matters! #cansky #cancer #oncsky

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Yep 🫡 Mand and I’ve retired due to terminal cancer. Although we live a good life and are part of our community, we both appreciate we are working age and NOT working. Living with cancer is a job in itself 😮‍💨 It ain’t a doddle! #cancer #cansky #oncsky

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Gentle morning run before heading to hospital for #chemotherapy I’m practicing what we ‘gently suggest’ in our latest podcast on exercise. Fancy a listen? open.spotify.com/episode/2nnx... #cansky #oncsky #cancer

Heidi takes a selfie in a street mirror on her morning run.

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Morning after, the day with the fantastic CT scan (loads of tumour shrinkage all around 🎉). Margot and I celebrated we’ve got many more morning walks to come ❤️ #cancer #oncsky #cansky

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

Mand is a crafty lass ❤️ She’s made these affirmation cards for our support group. I for one appreciate the message. Very important today, keeping a cool head as I wait for scan results 🤞 #cansky #oncsky #cancer

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Look like thought bubbles? I made these fantastic spheres during my previous chemo cycle. At a time I felt super exhausted and super queasy but wanted my brain to experience something new. #cansky #cancer #chemo

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Anyone else get that peace-disrupting feeling of #nausea from ongoing #chemotherapy? I wrote a poem about this on Instagram. If you fancy a look (too many (but not too many!) words for here); search for @healingkeeling #metastaticcancer #cancer #cansky #oncsky

Drawing of a character holding on to their belly. On their belly is drawn a whirlpool symbolising nausea

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Reposted by Heidi & Mand

John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Head & neck cancer means you don’t fly business class, you fly… 1. warrior class - every mile earned the hard way. 2. survivor class - no upgrades, just raw spirit. 3. resilience class - turbulence included. 4. courage class - seatbelt permanently fastened.

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Sid Sadler @sadlersnaps.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

#Cansky Don’t let your thoughts dominate your day. It’s hard I know. It’s hard to not try and process everything at once. Simple. Hour by hour, day by day. Take each moment as it is. Some days are batter than others.

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

Life’s too short for exercise, right? We’re not evangelising exercise, nope! Our latest episode is about cancer and functional exercise. It’s also about avoidance (Heidi’s) AND about the real impact of fitness on Mand’s general health. #cansky #oncsky #cancer open.spotify.com/episode/2nnx...

open.spotify.com

Life's too short for exercise, right?

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Outside socialising because the weather is glorious (but cold) AND because I’m keeping well away from all environments that could harbour risk of cold, flu, or COVID to keep me fit for next round of chemo therapy. #LivingwithMetastaticCancer Happy #NewYear fellow Skeeters #cansky #oncsky

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Heidi & Mand @laughbeforedeath.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Morning cancer friends 👋 Prepping for our next podcast episode: cancer & exercise Exercise is good for everybody (we know that 🙄). So our focus is on the multiple excuses and our gradual physical build up since getting ill (Rocky theme, anyone?) open.spotify.com/show/4L343Uh... #cansky #cancer

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