Hello to all my blog readers. It's been a while since I last updated my blog in January and told you about my failed plans for my book. Well I have a little secret to share with you. After my last post I decided that I should finally stop thinking about writing a book and just get on with it. I had never wanted to write a book about cancer but I finally realised that was the book I was destined to write. So I sat down and started the book in January and today 75,000 words later I finished it. Unfortunately I have to accept it's not very good. And even if it was I could never get it published as there is far too much personal stuff in there about me and other people. But I've enjoyed writing it, it's definitely been therapeutic and I feel some sense of achievement. As you've all been so encouraging and supportive to me I will let you have a peep at the introduction.
“”It's a beautiful sunny day in June 2013 and I'd rather be anywhere than sitting in a chemotherapy ward for the first terrifying time. Tears silently trickle down my face as the nurse struggles with the cannula. She pats my other hand and assures me that it gets easier. She suggests that I search my memories for a time and place when I was at my happiest and to travel back there in my thoughts. I don't need to think very hard. I know exactly where my happy place is and I even have the right music on my MP3 player to help take me there. The Delfonics begin singing and I'm soon transported back 37 years.
It was late spring in 1976 and the weather was unusually warm giving a hint of the glorious summer which was on the way. I met up with Patrick in Hyde Park at the end of the working week. We were joined by some friends and the carefree Friday feeling soon became infectious. Wine and picnic food were purchased, more people turned up and an impromptu party broke out. Someone produced a cassette player and put on a Delfonics album. A few people got up and started dancing. “When You Get Right Down To It” started playing and Patrick held out his hand to me. I hesitated because I'd been realising for a while that it would be so easy to fall in love with Patrick. I was also very aware that I shouldn't as the relationship would be wrong, that it couldn't last and it probably wouldn't have a happy ending. Patrick smiled and our eyes met. Suddenly none of that was important any more. I jumped to my feet and began what turned out to be the most memorable summer of my life.
The nurse comes to check on my progress and says she is pleased to see me smiling. I tell her I've been to my happy place and I expect I'll be spending a lot of time there in the weeks ahead. She asks me what happened there. I replied that I fell in love with an inspiring man who taught me all about positivity, hope, resilience and how to live for the moment. I go on to say that I hope the strength and courage Patrick gave me will help get me through the tough times ahead. She encourages me to tell her more. I laugh and tell her that the story of Patrick and me would be enough to fill a book. She suggested that when I am recovered I should sit down and write that book.
So I did.””
