I would like to take the opportunity to thank a few very special people on this site, in fact, not people, I would call them true friends, even though I have never met a few of them.
Earlier in the year, my wife was diagnosed with cancer, not one, but five different types, and each one very life threatening. In fact the specialists gave her very little chance of reaching Christmas.
To cut a very long story short, she was referred to 'The Christie'. Less than an hours journey from our home.
http://www.christie.nhs.uk/Which is classed as one of the world leaders in cancer treatment.
No-one is ever called by their surname, it is all first name basis, in fact a few weeks ago, when they found out it was my wifes birthday while she was having treatment, they organised a makeshift birthday party, complete with cake.
I am unable to stay with her in the hospital, because it is just too painful for me physically to be there, so my daughter stays with her during the very long chemotherapy sessions (around 6 to 7 hours).
Last week, Mal, my wife had a series of scans to check how things are progressing, and yesterday, she called me from Christie and told me that they had actually managed to put her into remission, which means that she is now, not curable, but treatable, to try to keep things under control. There are a couple of stubborn bits, like the cancer in certain parts of her bones, but they told her that they should be able to control that.
I personally have been struggling over the last few months, trying to look after her because of my own maladies, and also because of the help I was getting was very sporadic, as a few members on here know, that when they want to visit, anyone who has even a sniffle cannot come anywhere near, because even a slight chill could have seen Mal in dire circumstances. We have been living in a cocoon, and will have to remain that way for a few more months yet. It is very difficult for us, as normally we have an open house where everyone is made welcome, and we used to have many visitors every day. Seeing just a few people a week has really changed our complete lifestyle. Our telephone bill is astronomical, as Mal seems to have it glued permanently to the side of her head, keeping in touch with all our friends.
I would like to thank all those friends for the support and understanding that they have given me personally over the last few months, without someone to talk to and explain my situation, I would have been in real mental and physical trouble.
We are still a long way from being 'safe', but at last we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Thanks again my friends.
John
