How we got here
Diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer in 2021. I'm 43 now. The cancer's incurable but for the last few years it's been what oncologists call "manageable" — meaning it doesn't control my life every moment, just most of them. I'm on indefinite treatment. Nobody knows how long that goes on for, or what comes after it. There are other treatments, but I don't make 10-year plans anymore.
Before cancer I spent almost 20 years in PR and communications. Started at Brands2Life, then The Red Consultancy, then 15 solid years at The PR Network. Built a career doing what you're supposed to do — rising up, changing roles, feeling like you matter. What's the point of safety nets if you're going to die before you collect on them?
FC:AI started as a side project. A day a fortnight, built around the day job. Somewhere to document living with stage 4 cancer and figure out what AI could actually do to help. Not motivational, not brave, not trying to fight or warrior through anything. Just: here's what it's like, here's what helps, here's what doesn't. The tools came later. I started building tracking systems for myself — symptoms, medications, chemo cycles, wearable data. Realised they actually worked.
I originally tried to build personalised tools for other people. That didn't scale — life is busy, treatment takes priority, and honestly it's hard to build bespoke things for strangers when you're three days post-chemo and your brain is soup. So FC:AI has evolved into something simpler and more honest: I share what I use, how I set it up, and what's actually helping. The blog is where most of that happens. The tools pages show the detail. Over time, I'd like it to become a library that others can contribute to as well.