Archive for the cancer Category

Cancer and travel insurance, a toxic mix.

Chris On February 22, 2013 / breast cancer, cancer, travel, travel insurance / Leave a comment

As if the complications of a cancer diagnosis weren’t tough enough, it is very difficult to take even a very short break in sunnier climes, without a generally extremely complicated and expensive process of talking to prospective insurers.I used to almost hear the insurer rubbing his hands together when I mentioned cancer.The conversations would take ages. How long had I been ill, what treatment had I received, how long had I been in hospital etc? Once we had gone through the process, it would seem that they plucked a quote out of the sky, which I think they had got confused with the price of my holiday! I was taking a week in Europe, not a year in war torn Africa.The price of some insurance quotes, was far more, than if I had hired

The affects of cancer on relationships

Chris On February 7, 2013 / cancer, relationships, support, young person cancer / Leave a comment

Whether we realise it or not, our life is based on relationships,all on different levels. We have our loved ones and family, then close friends, people we know from work, and people who help us in our lives like tradesman etc.There are people that we meet at various stages of our lives, that come and go. Sometimes it is hard to admit, but we really only have room in our lives for a few close friends outside our families.Time just doesn’t permit us to form too many lasting relationships. I know that some of my younger readers might disagree with me, particular when they look at how many ‘ friends’ they have on Facebook or followers on Twitter,but it is true. We all may know a lot of people, but

The joy of sharing experiences

Chris On February 1, 2013 / cancer, communication, emotions, sharing experiences, socialmedia / 2 Comments

It is logical of course, but how good does it feel when you are able to talk to someone who has experienced very similar issues to yourself? Sure, it doesn’t change your own situation, but you certainly feel a lot more comfortable knowing that the person you are communicating with really ‘gets’ what you are talking about. Our passions are raised, when we are talking about football, music, cars, women, men, politics or religion, with like minded people.We can really bare our souls to them, because we know that they really understand and share our emotions.I know when talking on some of the previously mentioned subjects, I can talk for ever, with passion, if I know that we are sharing common ground. What about when we have been ill? Sharing experiences is

Sibling donor stem cell transplant ( Suleika’s story)

Chris On January 25, 2013 / cancer, emotions, leukaemia, sibling stem cell transplant, young person cancer / Leave a comment

Todays post is an incredibly moving story from an inspirational young lady who is a writer in America. As you will know by now, I am the very grateful recipient of a life saving stem cell transplant.I have mentioned previously, about some of the emotions that people face, and this story, paints a very accurate picture regarding family relationships and more, when facing a life threatening illness.I would like to thank Suleika, for allowing me to share her story through this blog, and I know it will be of tremendous benefit for anyone facing similar issues. There are a lot of things about having cancer in your 20s that feel absurd. One of those instances was when I found myself calling my brother Adam on Skype while he was studying abroad in

Living with remission

Chris On September 27, 2012 / cancer, living with cancer, remission / 2 Comments

I have titled this post ‘Living with, rather than in, remission’, as I feel that there is a big difference between the two. To explain that further, I have taken a dictionary definition of the word remission, in a cancer context. ‘A decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer. In partial remission, some, but not all, signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared. In complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared, although cancer still may be in the body’. Over the years, I have spoken to many people about remission. Of course, it is a word that you are hoping to hear, as you go from diagnosis to prognosis to treatment. If things go as you hope, you may eventually hear those words, “Congratulations, you are now

“How are you?”

Chris On September 21, 2012 / cancer, how are you?, Lymphoma, stem cell transplant / Leave a comment

“How are you?” This is possibly the most common greeting that we use today. In fact we probably use it so frequently, that we have almost forgotten what it actually means. It is a question, not a statement and therefore prompts an answer, which may then start a conversation! In truth, that is not what we necessarily want to do. What we are actually doing is acknowledging that person. “I’m fine” is generally the answer which comes back, and for most of us that is probably a relief, as we will not then get involved in a heavy conversation.We all have issues of course, in most instances, not really of interest to anyone else, and if they were, possibly far too complex to be discussing in a brief encounter. However, when I