Introduction - Part 3

I am very happily married and live in Buckinghamshire with my beautiful wife Tracy. I have three children from a previous marriage and two with Tracy, and all the children genuinely see each other as true siblings, not half-anythings. They all keep in touch with us and each other and live either in Reading (oldest son Adam, 38 years old) or Bristol (daughters Rachel, 34, Zoe, 29, Charlie, 22, and son Toby, 21). Grandchildren Lula (11), Silvo (7) and Alma (10 months) all belong to Rachel. Zoe is currently enjoying a spell in Edmonton, Canada.

This intimate family information serves to provide a living scenario to my situation as I write - that I was diagnosed about 3 weeks ago with a stomach tumour plus secondaries in liver and bone, which means that “palliative treatment” is the order of the day.

I am surprised by my own reaction to this news - one of calm and acceptance, although that doesn’t mean I don’t aim to fight on as long as possible to prove I can beat this, as well as the Hodgkin’s Disease (diagnosed in 1982) the two heart attacks (2001 and 2004) and emphysema (diagnosed 2006). You will hopefully have cottoned on to the fact that I don’t give in easily and will go down fighting if necessary and then if possible.

During the writing of this missive thus far I have got deeper into blogging, have joined one or two cancer sites and debating areas, have researched a little into the mighty plethora of cancer treatment options  and scams, have looked with interest and dismay at the battle between “alternative” and accepted therapies in the U.S.A., and have linked up with some practitioners, writers and fellow-sufferers in an attempt to disseminate the mass of information presented so glibly to cancer victims in particular, as well as the public in general.

I am learning a great deal and hope that these pages will contribute a little to the ongoing debates about this monstrous disease, as well as providing a little diversion and catharsis for the sick, the elderly (who may be living in fear of the very situation in which I find myself), the young (who should be able to avoid all this nonsense) and indeed anyone who happens to find themselves with the opportunity and desire to read it.