Sandra Carey-Boggans was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2004.

She thought she was recovering last summer after having a breast removed and undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. But last August she was told cancer had spread to her bones and her stomach. Doctors would only give her two months to live at a time.

Since then Sandra, 41, from Southwick, has married her partner Tom, 49, brought Christmas forward to enjoy it with sons Lewis, eight, and Jacob, ten, and been to New Zealand. Here is her first weekly diary entry in The Argus for 2006.

We haven't stopped since we got back from New Zealand in the new year. We've celebrated Lewis's birthday, I've gone back to work full-time and been best man for one of my closest friends.

We've been catching up with friends and family, watching lots of holiday videos, showing our photographs and probably boring them senseless.

New Zealand was amazing. At one point Lewis asked me if he was dreaming. It was unreal. I felt a real sense of freedom over there. We stayed on my sister Dawn's farm and the nearest shop was 30 miles away but we never felt isolated.

It was horrendous saying goodbye, particularly to Dawn. She was like a second mum to the boys when we were there.

When Dawn came over after I had the mastectomy it was really hard saying our farewells because I thought I was never going to see her again - then she turned up for my wedding as a surprise. I said goodbye to her then and her husband Ted cried because he thought I wouldn't make it for the trip there.

When I left it was really hard again. I'm sure that was the last time but there's part of me that says never say never' because I've seen Dawn three times in two years.

Lewis keeps asking when we're going to go back. He wanted to go there every year. I said it would be too expensive. Then he suggested every five years and I had to say Darling, I don't know if I'm going to be here' because you have to be honest. I told him I was sure he would be able to go back one day.

Lewis was eight the day after we got back. I normally go over the top for their birthdays but because of being away, Mum organised a party at her house, made him a cake and we had some of his friends over and family.

It was a nice surprise for Lewis to come back to and he's got friends coming for a sleepover this weekend. I felt okay about it. I didn't feel morose - I didn't think about it.

I started back full-time as a youth service team leader for West Sussex County Council.

It's flexitime, which is good but it's exhausting. It might be due to the jet lag but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to cope with it all.

Last Saturday was Neil and Mel's wedding. They brought it forward so I would be there, which was lovely and I was deeply honoured when Neil asked me to be his best man.

It was a lovely, happy day. I organised his second stag night and stitched him up by inviting lots of women around. He had absolutely no idea and we pampered him all evening.

We went bowling for the other one. I couldn't bowl because my arm's really weak after the mastectomy. I have to be careful because the glands have been removed so a scratch could lead to an infection. I carry antiseptic wipes around with me all the time.

Last Wednesday I had my Zometa treatment, which means going on a drip every three weeks for my bone cancer.

It should take about 20 minutes but it normally takes longer for me as my veins are bad because I've had so many needles. I have to use hot water bottles and tap them.

I've had people round to plant the tree from The Argus 125 Trees campaign today. It's wonderful.

When I was in McDonald's, a lady I knew came over. She thanked me because her father was diagnosed with colon cancer and had been depressed.

But after reading about me he's decided to take his family to Canada.