Thoughts from the frontline - 53

2 minute read time.

When I started my first blog on here it was the 14th July this year and I was just two weeks past a surprise diagnosis of bladder cancer. Reading my first blog again this morning I can see how far I have come, seen what a trauma of life changing appointments, tests and surgery it has been.

And so I woke up on Tuesday morning, 20th October 2009 certainly a different person than I did in June this year. Now that is less than four months ago but it feels like I have had this cancer for a lot longer than that. Before Cancer (BC) was a very long time ago. A time when life was good but as ordinary as most people's life is.

This cancer has changed me and, dare I admit it, made me a better person. In that I mean better for me, better for family and friends, better for the old friends who have stuck with me, better for the new friends I have made. I certainly care more about me and my loved ones than I used too. Not that I didn't care for them before but I think, like we all do, I took them for granted.

I can honestly say that I like the current me. And any one that doesn't can simply bog off! Must admit I do not tread on many eggshells round people nowadays!

And so here I was on a Tuesday with a simple day ahead of me. A little bit of work on the computer, a few phone calls and then be ready for the delivery from the veggie delivery man who always comes at 11.15 am, give or take 5 mins, every tuesday morning. A brief rest after sorting it out and stacking the dishwasher and it was already afternoon.

Tuesday afternoon was special. I breezed through the afternoon doing a bit of work with a nice break mid way for a quiet sit down and rest the eyes and then back to do a few final work bits before "packing up work" at 5 pm sharp. Trying to get into the habit for when I go back full time. When it is time to stop work and go home I will stop work and go home. :-)

I know how lucky I am. At the moment I am nearly 9 weeks post surgery and the early signs have been much better than they could have been. I know that I have another CT scan in 12 days time which I'm keeping my fingers crossed for. But I am living my life and the cancer is not in control of it at the moment. That time might come, in six months, a year, 5 years or never, time will tell.

I also know how happy I am most of the time. When I feel good I feel great and get a bigger buzz from the fact that I know I will beat this horrible thing. I have my pooh moments like we all do but then again I had them BC but about different things so what's the difference??

Tuesday was a day I controlled so it was a good day. I plan on having a good day again on Wednesday and then everyday until I reach my 100th birthday when I will host a rather large party.

Happy Wednesday everyone.

Keep smiling ;-)

Andrew xxx

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    I will be eagerly waiting for the party invite with baited breath.

    Nice to hear you are having such good days and are taking the control back thats the empowering bit i miss (not saying im a control freak..lol)

    Thanks for you advice yesterday still havent been able to tie anyone down for a definite answer.

    take care love Terri xxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Sod the party invite Teri, we all have a wedding to go to first ;)

    Andrew a really uplifting blog, I agree I am a better person (not always to be around cos as hard it is for you all to believe I can be rather grumpy and bad tempered on occasions lol) but on the whole I think I am.

    Life is better, priorities change and suddenly you begin to SEE things, things that were there before but we were always in such a rush they passed us by.

    Obviously I would still rather not had Buttercup come visit me in my head.....but at least she gave me a few gifts, of really living and some great friends who live in little boxes on an internet site.

    Here's to many many more years of good days.

    Debs xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    That is the thing, I like me now too and I was a good person before cancer but I am a better one now. Great blog applies to many of us on here. Take care.........love Carol x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    God I hope I'm still around for this big 100th birthday party. I presume all your Macmillan friends are invited?

    Just realised I'm not one of your official friends. Will be sorting that straight away. Don't want to be missed from the invitations!

    Enjoy your day Andrew

    Angela x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Like many of us Andrew you have come to the conclusion that life is not just about me but having cancer opens your eyes to your surroundings. We see things that have always been there but in a different light, which you say makes you a better person and that is so true, and long may it continue !