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Today I went to see Roy and Vickie, we talked seamlessly for over 2 hours. It was a really pleasant time, Roy shared with me his cancer story. It was a good time, I was asked the same question as Dave and Anne asked me though. “Do I ever get down” so now I will tell you how I cope with that, how I did cope with that, and hopefully what makes me feel like that.
It’s hard to know where to start really, because people seem to think I am some kind of infalable being that just gets on an does it. (Not true) it’s hard for me to talk about being weak, as it’s not in my nature to show that side of me. However the bible talks about when I am weak then he is strong. Don’t get me wrong I am not going to come across all religious on you, but this is how it happened to me. I remember quite distinctly the day that I realised beating cancer was not possible, cancer stories did not exsist then. I know if it had I would most certainly have coped better, I remember watching a movie I think it was called the awakening. Robert de Nero played a part of someone who deteriated badly, I remember how I wept the know the audible crying, feeling like you are out of control. I dropped to my knees that night, I cryed out loud. Please help me if your there, I can’t do this alone. I was not finding it hard fighting cancer, I could no longer do it anymore. It was just a wave of negativity that flooded my being, it would not be the last either. That was just the beginning of digging to the deepest you thought possible,my then having to dig deeper again.
Us humans are stubborn when it comes to losing our lives, or I was anyway. I had found the recipe for the rest of my life, a good wife, a great house. My little sports car, my faith but the one thing that was holding all that together was my health. Even so, no matter how sick I felt I always got up, I remember one day when I did not get up till 5 pm. There being a cold chill in my room, it felt like I was being taken. Dieing, that I was slipping away. I felt like I was being pulled out of a sleeping bag as they tried to take my life. I refused and fought like hell that day, getting up for tea time. I dare not sleep that day and night drinking plenty of fluid, feeling like snakes were in my head. The drugs I was on were pioneering drugs, as I was on a trial for a new drug that I agreed to have put in my body. Eventually over Christmas 2011 I finished my chemo and had the Christmas they said I would not have without the treatment. Apparently I had gotten into remission. No fan fare no party, they were just words that I did not believe. I felt all along it was still there!
I was explaining today how my cancer hid, and although I was supposed to be in remission. I knew the cancer cells were hiding in my bones. I could feel them almost laughing at me. Non of the scans picked it up, as they were rougue cells and scanners only picked up clusters. Everyday I would get up and wonder if today was the day it would show itself. Although I did put faith into practice by buying a Labrador and calling her Faith as that’s what I needed to get into remmission.
I remember when it came back again (hard recalling this) coiling up into a ball and crying my heart out. The consultant had told me I would have to have my bone marrow removed, and have a stem cell transplant. This was to be done in isolation in a tiny room. Excuse my language, but how in the hell could I possibly do that, were they mad! I could see no way. For me it was a step to far, an impossible ask. I ached hopelessly inside, I asked time and time again if there was another option. Non what so ever this was my only hope, no more life for me with out it. It made me shake, I would be physically sick at the thought.
In everyone of those moments, I made myself read positivity. Quotes from the bible, positive people on Twitter, Google and many other places just positives. Friends, family, everyone was only to speak positively to me. No moaning. When I finally got into the room. That big silverback became a weak hopeless human, put into the hands of medicine.
The day I became nutrapenic, I felt really strange I left my body and even though I was talking to Andie, I felt like I was actually leaving the planet. I held on tight to Andies hand, I believed it was to early. That what was the point in me being the one who did not make it surely there was a reason for me having this. As I hovered above myself I remember hearing the words “not yet” I don’t know who said them but it certainly was a comfort to me. The day before that I had been sat by the window shaking violently, imagining myself timing sheets together to escape. The door was always open, I could have left at any time, it was not escape from Alcatraz. That’s what being neutapenic made me feel.
So my friends, all of these things I felt, some I still feel. I know what the guilt feels like, to have made it where others don’t. That’s the only “why me” sentence I have said. Remember this, when you think there is no more to give. There always is, with determination AND FAITH you. “yes you” can do ANYTHING. Don’t give up, because you have friends.
Fonz
http://www.fonzandcancer.com
Follow me on Twitter
@fonzmark
Our support group on our FB
https://m.facebook.com/groups/1595998743956536
It’s a group where people’s experiences are used to encourage others.
Everything you read are based on my own experience and my own opinions. I express them here to encourage you. Please share with others, if it meant something to you it will to someone else.
I am deeply touched by your experiences and your faith in the LORD and your existential optimism. I have learned a lot from your writing to be soft to my self. Thanks a lot. Anand Bose from Kerala
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Hi I would like to thank you for your kind words. It’s what I hope for every day I write. Have a great weekend. 😊
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I am reading. I do not know what to say except; I am reading. (Listening?)
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Sorry about spelling Olganm and may I say thank you for your encouragement. So sorry to hear of your losses… 😌👨❤️💋👨
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I hope you remain well. It’s a cruel illness in all its forms. My Dad didn’t make it (my grandmother also died of cancer) but both were diagnosed very late in the process. I hope people and health professionals are vigilant. Thinking of you and wishing you the best.
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All exspress ions of any kind because of this disease are welcomed. I was given weeks to live without treatment. 6 months after marrying my soul mate who lost her dad at 59 and her mum at 63. I had to make it… I did then got it again… U can read all about it if you Ho bk to the beginning of my blog… I know I sounded like a newspaper sales man then… Read all about it…. Lol
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Pingback: The day I died. (What I saw) | pandyb
I have not had a blog post move me as your’s has. I do not have cancer, but I do have MS and I appreciate you sharing your story. Your positive tone shines through the difficulty I could tell it took to write this. I am not sure what else I can say, except Thank you.
Danny
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What an awesome thing to say to anyone, thank you. 😊
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thank you for writing it for us to read.
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Thanks so much for your encouragement means allot 😊
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Danny, Hi. Sorry I feel I did not do your comment justice. I want you to know your comment on its own meant so much. Thank you 😊
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You are very welcome! 🙂
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Thank you for sharing. It was incredible to read that. As you know, I haven’t experienced cancer firsthand, but there is so much parallel in your experience and mine. Getting physically sick anticipating something, for example. Again, thank you for sharing!
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I just want people (men especially) that it’s ok to feel like that and you can come out the other side.. Thanks Belinda 😊
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Mark,
It IS HARD to go back and RELIVE those experiences. I haven’t talked much about them and I certainly haven’t shared them like you did. I wish I would have known more /found out more about blogging 14 years ago when I had Cancer for the first time. I didn’t have the internet and really never had good contact with others who had cancer. It would have helped me….I think. I know it would have helped me to talk about it in a blog. Hugs my friend.
Here’s to an awesome New Year.
Love Sarah
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Thanks so much for that Sarah, I really appreciate what you are saying as, when I travelled Oz n New Zealand digit cameras were mega expensive and email on hotmail was best I had and dad did not keep any of the mails I sent… Life int it. X
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I don’t have anything either from before I moved to Florida 9 years ago. I lost everything. All of my journals and belongings and ALL of My son’s things. It is hard trying to share now. HUGS
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Your one of my true WordPress friends Sarah, thanks so much for your constant encouragement xx
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Can’t believe I never replied to this, thank you so much for your support. I read your blog most days and your a real encouragement. Thank you 😊
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Mark, I am so far behind on answering my comments and even when I think I am finished I always miss some. It is impossible for me to keep up.
I have been slacking on MY POSTS lately. It is really hard to post my stuff. Easier to reblog. Either the internet or WORDPRESS acts up.
I often read yours as well but can’t always comment or even like it like I once could.
Frustrating.
How are you and your wife doing? HUGS
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Happy to hear you still read. I guess the connection is a sacrifice of being rural. We are well.. How are you settling in? Xx
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Rural in Our Neck Of The Woods anyway. Even the land lines here are out a lot.
Verizon was planning on selling out in this area…..It took them 5 years to sell. Needless to say nothing really was improved in the time period. Or fixed.
2016 has been wet so far. We are good. xx
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It’s rained here mostly this month to… Glad your both well we send out love from England x
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Danny would say it rains all the time there. I would say it rains most of the time here. LOL
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