Within the last few weeks, I have taken my entire family to Disneyworld in Florida, which was #1 on my bucket list. This was all planned last year, as I know that time and health are catching up with me. We wanted to see at first hand our grandchildren enjoying the wonders of Florida, and it was the beautiful time that we imagined it would be. As soon as we returned, we were celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary! Both massive events in my life, that we never thought we would ever see. My cancer work is leading to many influential meetings and additional international interest. All those years of learning and experience finally taking me to a place I can really affect things for people affected by cancer.
But the conflict in my head continues! Coping with loss is also a large part of my life, losing many friends and connections in recent years. Believe it or not I still feel I am living some sort of nightmare and when I do wake up none of this cancer thing will have happened! But I know it is, each time I look in the mirror, as time and experience takes it’s toll on my features.
I never had much experience in dealing with loss, now it is a frequent occurrence and people come to me to share their issues. I’m delighted to be able to help in any way I can of course, but it does promote thoughts of guilt in my own head. My life now is more fulfilled than it has ever been, with time to do the things I want. Lots of exciting things happening and invitations coming frequently. But thoughts in my head always want to bring me back down.
Even more than ten years after my terrible diagnosis, I am still shocked that I am here doing these wonderful things. How have I defied the odds and why? Why me and not them? Yes, I have lost much to cancer, both physically, emotionally and financially, but I finally find myself in a good place again. At social events I rarely get asked how I am, which is incredible, and rarely does my illness get talked about round the dinner table! There feels an element of freedom from it, but of course we are never actually free.
No one has ever mentioned about the psychological issues, since my treatment, maybe that was a good thing? But until I started communicating with the larger cancer population did I realise that this was an issue for most. I genuinely thought that I was the only one feeling like this. It was something I struggled with in the early years, and thought it would be something that went with time. But it didn’t and got progressively worse. It got so bad that I didn’t want to go out of the house, hard to imagine now, I know.
When I was diagnosed in 2007, I was determined to not let cancer dictate it’s terms to me. Once I had done all the physical stuff I thought the worst was over.
I have had some professional help, and I can say that mindfulness is a tool that I use frequently now. But I can’t help but think about the bigger picture, and those not lucky enough to be able to receive that help. As we all know these resources are scarce in this country and many people just try to cope and struggle on. Of course we have to get on and live our lives, and I have now created a new one, once more full of hopes and dreams, and yet still great ambition. Focussing on the goals can be difficult at times, but I have learned to make a decision and go with it. My gut instincts have served me well over the years and rarely let me down now.
But it is the guilt that still gets me every time. I have been lucky, with the extra time I have been given, and have been able to use it to do things I want to do. Very few are as lucky as me. Cancer has changed me totally, and what fulfills me now is very simple things, but primarily sharing the most important thing I have, time. My family comes first of course but beyond that I have many wonderful friends, who I can now spend time with. The rest goes to the Cancer Community, whether through social-media or face to face during my presentations.
I am determined not to waste a minute of it and will always celebrate the good times, but I just wish I could remove that eternal feeling of guilt!
How has cancer affected your life? Do you experience some of the emotions I have? Please feel free to share your experiences below.
Hello Chris I am glad that you have had a great time away with your family.your blog as always makes me feel that I am not on my own with same thoughts that you have my memory lately has not been the same but I have only got 11months to go till 80yrs but now I will put it down to treatment ha ha…. I have met through you some lovely people from your blogs plus I find others who are on FB who have cancer problems. I too have “lost” many through cancer. I think the biggest blow last year was when my daughter in law at the age of 51 was diagnosed with breast cancer that hurt me more than my cancer, thankfully she is well on the mend now. Julie found that Wales research in Cardiff have helped her alot too. Keep up your good work don’t wear yourself out. You need to have another at least 10yrs with your lovely wife and family.
Hi Georgine,
We had an incredible time thank you and I know we will all treasure those memories! I am always delighted to hear that the blog helps you with your own thoughts, and we are certainly not on our own.
You are in fab shape for 79 so you have an excuse for your memory:)
Thank you for your kindness, and we will do our best to keep making memories like you are.
Wishing you and your family good health, and best as always, Chris
It’s not just us, the people with cancer. I’m living with incurable cancer and watching my husband crumble under the strain. I don’t know how to help him. He needs to help himself but seems unable or unwilling. So yes, family comes first. But my family is being crushed by the weight of this.
Hi Daloni,
Yes you are so right there Daloni. In many respects it can be worse for our loved ones as they are so helpless in all the chaos. I too have several close friends in similar situation, and generally it is the man refusing to seek help. Which then as you know puts more pressure on their partner.
I would be happy if he would like to contact me? Please keep in touch, Chris
When I was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 41 with two small children it completely changed my mindset and priorities. I made huge changes, for the better, in my life. I felt I had beaten cancer and could move on forward in my life. But the added pressure for my husband were immense and he has never stopped worrying. As there is a genetic element it has added worries to my children’s lives and future.
Now I have been diagnosed with a rare but unconnected cancer in my parotid gland. Whilst it has been detected early with a good outcome I have been completely knocked sideways. I am far more anxious than last time, almost frozen by worries. I am to have radiotherapy but am far more concerned by potential side effects than last time. Perhaps information is too available and accessible this time.
I am hoping that when the treatment is over I can pick up the pieces again. But I suspect I will never be the same again
Hi Sandra
Firstly I would like to thank you for sharing your own very personal experiences. This is so important for others to read. When I was first diagnosed I always felt that I was the only person feeling the way I did. Of course I wasn’t as many people started getting in touch thinking the same.
It is very difficult for loved ones as you mention your husband. They feel so helpless as my wife did also, knowing there was very little that she could do.
There is always a fear for those touched by cancer, that it will return in whatever form and I totally understand your concern. Maybe our early innocence is ripped away by the reality of a first experience? Of course we all deal with these situations differently and I’m sure you will be able to pick up life again.
It will never be the same again, but my experience was easier when I focused on what I had, rather than what I had lost.
Please keep in touch Sandra, and wishing you the very best, Chris