Roger’s story
You forget, yes you actually forget.
Writing this a year on from the diagnosis of my wife’s rectal cancer most days and weeks it is out of my mind unless there is an incident or a reminder.

From the first visit to the GP and the diagnosis was a matter of a couple or three weeks, we had a holiday in the interval. On the day of sigmoidoscopy and biopsy she was allowed to watch the display screen of the images of the procedure, she really wanted to do this very much. She knew that the team was worried when the tumour came in view as a silence fell where there had previously been more lighthearted comforting conversation.

At home she described it to me later that day and of course I too began to realise its implications for the future. It was not really a surprise or shock when a week later we heard the diagnosis. I think I knew already, she was more optimistic. I think we may have had a little cry together and I certainly did on my own, we had plenty of cuddles.

The children were super, sensible and so helpful, fielding phone calls from friends and of course giving plenty of kisses and cuddles. A friend also helped to keep others informed of developments. This was particularly helpful later after operations and chemotherapy. This latter help is so important as one is so tired one does not want to go over the same ground again and again with concerned friends.
Back                                              Home                                   Next page