When I was having my treatment I remember clearly the afternoon a teenage lad walked into the chemo ward. My initial thought was what on earth is a patient thinking of bringing a child into a place like this? To my shock the boy was shown to the chair next to me and they started preparing his cannula. I don't think I'd realised before that chilling moment that children can get cancer. Anyway during those tedious hours in the chairs we struck up a friendship. I helped with his maths homework and in return he taught me to play Candy Crush.
I'd never played a computer game before, didn't think it was my sort of thing. However I was soon hooked and I started playing most days. I persuaded a few of my friends to start playing to keep me company but they soon got bored. That was when I found the Candy Crush online community instead. Not too different to the Macmillan online community in some ways. There is always someone there with tips and advice who is prepared to help out someone who is struggling, encouragement is given and new friendships are made.
So now 3 years later I find myself at the milestone of level 1000. I mentioned this to a couple of friends who used to play in the early days and they were astonished at my progress. I can't really believe it either. I'm not very good at the game but I've stuck with it and plodded my way through. Progress has been slow but steady. I suppose it's not unlike my recovery from cancer.
I proudly emailed my friend from the chemo ward to show off that I've got to level 1000. He replied that he passed level 1985 a few days ago. Seems I have some catching up to do.....
