If joining any chapter of the worldwide cancer club can be said to be lucky, then I consider myself very lucky indeed.
First of all, I was fortunate enough to have early symptoms of a malfunctioning prostate and aware enough to notice them. After 5 years of monitoring, my chosen treatment option, surgery, seems to have gone well and, though we wont know the outlook until about a year’s worth of follow-up tests, early indications (namely the histology report) are favourable.
Secondly, I have a wonderful collection of friends, former colleagues scattered around the planet, neighbours and relatives who have overwhelmed me with messages of support and good wishes. You know who you are and I want to say a heartfelt thanks to every one of you.
Finally, I don’t know what I’d have done without my wife, Carol. I am now in what I hope is the last phase of difficulty. It may be the last phase but it is also currently proving to be the most restrictive. It will continue to be difficult until I regain a basic level of continence. Though we keep finding inventive ways around some issues (washing up sitting on a bar stool, for Darwin’s sake), rather than pulling my weight I have become something of an additional weight. Consequently, even more weight has fallen on poor Carol’s already burdened shoulders but she’s risen to the challenge and is coping like the champion that she is. To her I want to say a very public but inadequate-sounding thank you. This protracted repair process would feel nigh on impossible without you. You are priceless.
Regrettably, a few of my friends are either currently in or have recently been in a similar situation of dependency. To everyone who either mentally or physically supports those in need, I wish you all the peaceful and enjoyable Christmas and New Year that you so richly deserve.
I will be raising several glasses to you all. 😉
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