Some people are on the pitch.
They think it’s all over!
It is now!!
By March I will have come full circle. And I will have ended up
somewhere very, very different.
It started and finished the same way: Back in June and then again today
19th December 2013: I had a tube stuck down my nose with a light and
a video camera on the end of it. A bit of lubricant to make it easier. Breathe
normally said the doctor! (After all you are normal now, I thought today!!). “All
looking good” he said. Back in June he didn’t mean that as one tonsil was
inflamed. This time the tonsils and the cancer were no longer there! Simples.
Then he felt my neck. A bit sore. Back in June there was a lump. This
time. An absence of lymph nodes, muscle and vein and an absence of cancer.
Simples.
Parking was easy at Lister Hospital today. Just like in June. That’s why
I chose to be treated there. Poetically on the opposite side of the same
stretch of road almost outside the main entrance, in bright sunshine – although
20 degrees cooler. Full circle, but somewhere else.
Another snippet: I’m allowed to drive again. The meaning behind that is
I’m no longer on strong painkillers – in fact I’m not on weak painkillers
either! That’s not a snippet that’s brilliant. It means I’ve not got cancer, I’m
not even in remission, I’m not even in recovery any more. I’m just in follow-up
– the term the doctors use. They want to see me just every 6 weeks to look down
my nose at me (literally, not figuratively).
I had my first MRI scan at QEII hospital in Welwyn Garden City last July
and less than 6 months later I’m having my FINAL scan in the same hospital.
Just one for the record. On Christmas Eve. No more needed. EVER. Full circle. We’ll
hear the results on 9th January.
I had my teeth out in August, sadly they won’t be coming back. But
neither will dentures for at least 3 more months. Ah, well.
Hands up if you’re gonna get fit? I got fit back in July. I can’t ever
remember being as unfit as I am now. Dizzy just standing up and staying still.
Enough strength to hold a putter, but not a bowling ball. But you just wait! I’ll
be running circles round yous before the summer is out.
Skinny as a rake, too. Making all the blokes jealous. Lost 42 lbs in 50
weeks. Maybe not honed yet.
I still felt fit in September after the surgery and when the treatment
first started. In October I wasn’t too bad, although deteriorating towards the
end. November was the pits with pain all day until eventually my medication was
corrected. But there was a sting in the tail of that month when the fever hit
and I didn’t think I’d make it. I said in the last blog that I felt the demon
leave. This month, on Saturday 14th December I felt Frank return. My
eyes turned from ashen remains to bright flames. My future became mine again.
I’ve got a sick note still. I must applaud Row’s boss for allowing her
the flexibility to look after me. I did thank him at the time. I must also praise
The RSPB for their sickness policy. My sicknote is to the end of January after
which I can make a phased return to work. Super stuff.
There are a few minor inconveniences to do with muscles and nerves that
may clear up or get worse over the coming months, but hey, who cares. Now,
where’s my 3-wood. Fairway Frankie has some golf to practice.
Row and I went to Spain in June when this journey began, to be with friends
to celebrate big birthdays: We’ve already booked to go to Spain in March now
the journey is ended, to be with friends – deeper friends. There’ll be a party
atmosphere – I love a party with a happy atmosphere! www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFPLk5mJ1D4
And there’ll be one or two more parties in 2014. Perhaps one soon-ish to
thank you all, and especially my Rowena for the love and support since the
journey began, perhaps one later for me to celebrate life and a new decade when
I’m 60 in October.
Full-circle? In 1966 I watched the World Cup competition unfold before
childlike eyes of amazement. I saw Brazilians on the streets of Liverpool. I
saw colour inside Goodison Park. I saw black and white images as England won.
In a different place? What dreams will come true in 2014?
May your friends be with you. Thank you everyone. I didn’t know how many
friends I had when this journey began – I am in a different place now.
And here’s to my best friend. Row.
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