Member's Experience - Race for Life!
On the day Sue telephoned me to ask if I would write an article for the Cherry Lodge Newsletter she did not realise that it was in fact my birthday!
You may well say "so what", but the fact of the matter is that I did not think that I would be celebrating my birthday this year by going out for a Chinese meal with my daughter and some of my friends. I managed to eat, drink, talk and laugh; all the things I never imagined just a few months ago that I'd be able to do again.
Indeed, another first was that on Sunday 11 June 2006 I, along with my daughter and two friends, participated in and completed the Tesco "Race for Life". I don't think I've ever felt so elated as when I crossed the finishing line having successfully walked the 5km around Parliament Hill Fields. We decided to divide the sponsorship money collected between Cancer Research and Cherry Lodge.
Why Cherry Lodge?
Why Cherry Lodge? Well, back in June 2005 I discovered a swelling on the right side of my neck. I was particularly concerned about this as my father had had something similar (a reticulosis) when he was a young man. I went to my GP who told me that she was sure it was nothing, but eventually in September 2005 I received an appointment to see an ENT consultant.
After a lot of tests and scans, I was admitted to hospital to have a biopsy. When I came to after the operation I was told that I had had my tonsils removed. Upon investigation it was quickly discovered that in fact I was suffering from a rare type of cancer - of the tonsils - and that the enlarged neck glands were in fact the secondary cancer. I had been walking around with this thing growing inside me for well over a year without experiencing any discomfort at all!
At first, when the consultant told me that they had found the cancer in both tonsils (which is extremely rare), I thought that by removing them, that this would be the end of the story. Little did I realise what lay ahead: three more operations as well as a punishing regime of radio- and chemotherapy.
Although from diagnosis I was assigned a Macmillan nurse by the hospital, I actually felt that I had no one to turn to. The doctors and nurses in the hospital were all so busy and stressed and had no time to listen to my questions and worries.
Also, I had always spent most of my time working, so I assumed that I didn't really have many friends, just work colleagues. How wrong I was! I wondered how I would manage to cope financially. Would I lose my hair? How could I possibly manage to keep my house and garden under control? I felt so alone and full of despair.
At Cherry Lodge
Then, as luck would have it, I was put in touch with Cherry Lodge. I telephoned them and even though I don't live in the London Borough of Barnet, they asked me to come over and meet them. I drove over and immediately felt the calm and friendly atmosphere at Cherry Lodge.
Firstly, I spent a long time speaking with one of their nurses, Fiona. She listened to me without rushing me. She advised and comforted me and explained to me what I was likely to expect when treatment started. We spoke about everything - no holds barred.
Then I was put in touch with Janice, who advised me on financial matters. She helped me obtain forms from various government departments and helped me fill them out.
After that I spoke to Sue, who offered to send me a befriender. This was a person who would come to my home and visit me once a week. Sometimes my befriender and I would just sit and chat and at other times they would take me out in their car. It was lovely seeing someone during the daytime when everyone else I knew was busy at work.
Sue also knew that I was worried about how I was going to manage my garden and offered to try to find me someone who could help me out with some gardening. That was how I came to meet Peter. He came to my home and set about keeping the lawn mowed and the bushes under control. Unfortunately, he's now going back to his homeland until next year.
I then met Tina one Friday afternoon when I visited Cherry Lodge. She helped me to choose a wig that I could borrow in case I lost my hair. She also gave me hints on scarves and how to tie them. I must have tried on at least fifty wigs before I selected one and throughout, she never rushed me or got irritated.
When I became too ill to drive, both Sue and Janice drove to my home several times. All I needed to do was to telephone Cherry Lodge and there would be someone there who I could rely upon to try to help me. I must emphasize the word 'try' because it was not always possible to do something, but what I did appreciate was someone trying.
For Cherry Lodge
It is for these reasons amongst others that I was determined to try to give something back to Cherry Lodge. That's why I decided to aim to do the "Race for Life" in June.
Well, I have now completed both my treatment for the cancer and the task of trying to raise some money for this wonderful cause.
As for the future: I'm now planning to go back to work on a part-time basis in September. Also, I aim to keep in touch with everyone at Cherry Lodge and hopefully be able to do more for them in the future. Meanwhile, if there's anyone out there who likes gardening...
