| |
| EXPERIENCES
> Maurice's Blog |
|
RETURN TO
HOMEPAGE |
Maurice is a regular poster on the RDOC
Mouth Cancer message board. To chat
with him and other cancer patients,
join our free online support group here |
|
Thursday 2nd June 2005
Well it’s a year ago yesterday that
I had the secondary tumour removed from the
right hand side of my neck.
What’s happened since the 29th October
last. Well I went through a bad bout of depression
between then and Christmas. I was always tired,
listless and not very good company at all.
I went to the hospice on Tuesdays and Thursdays,
this was the only thing that kept me going.
The staff there are angels.
Christmas arrived and I was not looking forward
to it at all. Anthony and Cheryl invited me
for Christmas dinner and I think this was
my turning point. I really enjoyed myself
and came home with the determination to get
my act together. This thing is not going to
get the better of me there are lots of people
out there that would loved to be only as bad
as I am. I still struggle with eating and
am limited in what I can. But it does not
stop me going out, I can always eat soup and
usually manage to get something sloppy for
a main course. It’s amazing how considerate
restaurants can be if you are not too embarrassed
to explain your limits. I just eat as much
as I can then leave the rest and don’t
worry if some think I didn’t like it.
March was my big month. I decided that I should
start to get out and about as normally as
possible.
Whilst out one day I passed a holiday shop
which was advertising cruises on the Nile.
Now this is something I have dreamed of since
being at school so in I went and booked for
myself. The date for going was the 13th of
April. I got myself prepared, new cloths and
suchlike to purchase.
The 13th arrived and with some trepidation
I got in the taxi to the airport. This holiday
was everything and more than I could have
wished for. The cruise boat reminded me of
the orient express, all walnut and veneer.
I visited the Valley of the Kings and more
temples than I can remember. Eating was on
full board basis. Well I made do, mostly
eating soup with the odd bits of solids.
This over I then booked for Corfu going on
the 16th of May going with my daughter. This
too was a successful trip. I stayed self catering;
the complex was owned by a family who lived
on site and ran the bar under the apartments.
I explained to them my limitations with regards
to eating and they made me meals that I could
eat everyday. So another superb holiday was
had.
I am now going away in July with my son when
he has sorted out a free week and hoping to
go to Peru in October (if the financial settlement
from my wife comes through. She is being a
bit awkward at present and has threatened
to stay in the marital home until my youngest
son Sam leaves university if I don’t
do things her way).
I must say that having cancer has really changed
my life and, although this may sound strange,
for the better. I am happier now than ever
before in my life, more contented, less stressed.
A lot of it is down to the help I have had
from my medical team, hospice care and family.
I know I am in a lucky position that I can
afford to go on holidays. I don’t mind
how long or little time I have left.
If not for this illness I would probably
have spent my time working all the hours possible
and then dropping dead of a heart attack without
having even done my trip up the Nile.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
