Thoughts from the frontline - 20 - A "times to remember" edition

7 minute read time.
I feel strange this morning as my life seems unreal or rather surreal. I have just had probably the best weekend of my life, full of fun, laughter, joy and the feeling of just oodles of love and support from a great bunch of friends and relatives. But it is a joyous life in a bubble. A true experience, a fantastic feeling but I know that on the outside of my bubble, outside of my zone of support and comfort is that bloody cancer fighting to get in. It was a truly busy weekend which started on Friday evening and finished at 10.15 this morning when I crawled out of bed. A period when we, at times, talked about the cancer but in a way that everyone knew that I was going to beat it, some how, some way. But mostly we just had fun and joy. Friday evening was a meal for 6 of us at the local Noodle Bar for great food then a trip to the theatre to see "Crazy for You", the Gerschwin musical performed by the local school kids. (See Thoughts from the frontline - 19 - A Special Edition) A fantastic show of talent and what can be achieved by a group of people working together in a very short time. It quite took your breath away! 250 kids, six weeks and not an empty seat in the 1076 seater auditorium on any night it was on. So proud of those kids. Forget what the newspapers say about the "youth of today" 99.9% of you are just great and are a credit to your parents. Saturday morning was a busy doing nothing sort of time. Lots to do to prepare for the rest of the weekend but all time limited as I needed to go and pick up a friend at about 3pm ready for the evenings event early start. We were off to Stonor Park for an open air classical concert. Not Stoma Park as I will now called it! Two cars, 8 people, in convoy in the sunshine with picnic tables, chairs, lovely food and many a bottle of good drink to accompany the evening. The event started at 7.30pm but the gates open at 5pm for you to find your favorite place to rest your things and start with the afternoon of eating and drinking in good company. We arrived at 4.30 as planned so that we could join the queue of us early birds. Now the moving of all our goods and chattels into the queue was a military operation and all helped. This was good as there were only two of us men in this party of 8. Now both Roger and me never shrink from our manly duties but this would have been a call to far for just the two of us to have carried everything! By the time 5 o'clock chimed we had a queue of about 50 people in front of us and about 500 behind us! And it was still two and a half hours to the start! Now getting into the queue early is only part of the strategy for a good evening. Once you get through the gate you have to find a place to place your chairs, picnic blankets etc. This period is now know as the "Tracy and Catherine Run" A repeat of last year, we let the two girls run on ahead with just the minimal things to carry in order to stake out our territory. Place wanted, 30ft from the stage, just to the right of the centre and adjacent to the path that leads from the sound mixing tent to the stage. Place achieved? Perfect position. This was going to be good. What followed first was two and a half hours of great food, chatting, laughing and plenty of good wine. result: Smiley Happy People ;-) And then the concert. Fab. Great. Wonderful. All the well know classical music together with some more modern pieces by a great orchestra with a brilliant, totally camp, conductor who certainly enjoys this annual event, plus a great soprano and tenor to add to the passion of the evening. And complete with wonderful fireworks at the end of the evening. Two people from our little team got very drunk. One just to the point where she was funny and couldn't remember the fireworks display the next morning and then there was Roger. Way too much wine. It was alright whilst he was sitting down but when he got up to go to the loo before we packed up to go home he was in major unstable mode. Remember that time in your youth when you know you had drunk a lot more than you should have and the room was spinning? That was Roger but worse. But he was FUNNY! Being held up as we walked to our minibus he was convinced he was ok. He wasn't! ;-) The big minibus taxi was for all 8 of us home as none of us wanted to be the designated driver! Cars left on site to be collected the next day. The concert organisers know what they are doing. What a weekend. But it was only half way through as Sunday morning arrived and we were now into the "getting ready for the party" period. House to clean, garden to tidy, tables and chairs to be borrowed. Food to be cooked. More food to be cooked. Squeeze in collecting the cars from the concert site. Ice to be made. Glasses to be washed. Our plan was simple, with the help of friends we aimed to be ready by about 1pm so that we could have a nap for a few hours before the party started at 5. I should explain the reason for the party for those who don't follow my blog in detail. It was to be a combined house warming (delayed a bit as we moved in in November last year, a pre operation bash and mine and Tgirls engagement party (brought forward due to operation date). A triple whammy event for family and friends! So what time did we finish getting things ready? Yep, you guessed it. 5.05 pm just as the first guests arrived! Now we had 47 confirmed attendees to the bash and in the end just 6 had to cancel due to them getting coughs and sneezles which meant an automatic ban! And everyone had to endure the mandatory gel handwash as they came in. :-) So what can I say about the party? Totally wonderful. Everyone got on even through many didn't know each other before. We thought that with a 5 o'clock start we would have just the die hards left at about 9pm. But no, 9 o'clock came and we still had a full house, and a full garden! And it was 11 before people were leaving. For those reading this blog who came yesterday -- THANK YOU for a wonderful day. It was just magic to be surrounded by so many people who you know are rooting for you in the battles to come. People who are genuine with their care and love and best wishes. People who still see you as you and not your illness. I feel so lucky to have you all as friends. I am humbled by your love. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. So we now have arrived at Monday and a day of cleaning up the battle scared house and garden. And more events planned between now and going into hospital on Wednesday. I know how lucky I am to have such good friends. To have a massive "Team A" to support me in this fight. I know I am lucky to have my T, my love my all, beside me all the way. I read other people's blogs and forum messages on hear and of battles being waged by people on there own and I am humbled. And I wish I could do more to ease the pain and fear that is out there because of this bloody cancer thing. But we all fight this together. And yes, I'm still not looking forward to 6 hours under the knife and a life of battles going forward but it aint going to beat me. I'm going to jump in those puddles, kick those leave and suck that jelly through a straw! Love and hugs to you all Andrew xxx
Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    There are several gallons of jelly on the go, a packet of straws and a bib ready for you.  Let us know once you finish puddle jumping and leaf scattering and we'll send them over.

    Will be thinking of you and T Wednesday

    love and gentle hugs

    Sharry (and Terry and LouLou) xxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    It's good to hear you had a good weekend and are in in good spirits. Dont fear Wednesday too much, you will just go to sleep and know nothing of the event. Thats how my op went anyway, the waiting was very much the worst part. We are all fighting the same battle, but all in different ways and if we could find a way to collect and harness all our energies together it would be the most powerfull force on earth, the horrible cancer would'nt stand a chance. I wish you and your good lady a successfull week  and by next weekend you will be well on the way to recovery and the next phase of your lives. I read on this site that cancer is only a six letter word. To me it is a FOUR letter word, I hate it so much that my determination gets stronger much the same as yours. Your support team sounds in good shape [if you keep them off the wine] and are ready to do battle with you.

                   You will be in our thoughts so good luck and God bless,  BIG HUGS    Bill xxx