My Story
I'm sure like me you will find it hard to think of anyone you know who isn't affected by cancer. For me it was my Grans brother, my lovely Uncle Billy who lived in Toronto, Canada. Because of the logistics I only saw him when he visited, but I recall an elegant mildly mannered gentleman who was kind and generouse. I know that my Gran went to Canada to nurse him in what were to be his last weeks among us and I remember that as a child I found it hard to understand why my lovely uncle was, ultimately, dying. I wrote a letter to him, I can't recollect what exactly I wrote but I remember my Gran telling me that it had cheered him up and had given him comfort. This was to be my first brush, if you will, with cancer. My second still grieves me today. My grandparents to me where my parents, I loved them like every child loves their grandparents and as an adult I respected them and their values. There is not a day passes where something I learned from them stands me in good stead. As much as they loved me, their love for each other is what shone through. They where married for over 55 years and their relationship with each other is what I hold out for for myself. I think it was this love they shared that made my beautiful Gran keep quiet when cancer chapped at her door. My big strong & wise Grandpa was being diminished day by day by Alzheimer's. He needed round the clock care which was provided by family but mostly by his wife, my Gran. She tended to his every need as she had done for all of their married life. In sickness and in health as they say. While my Grandpa was being ravaged by Alzheimer's my lovely Gran was being attacked by cancer but she didn't tell a soul! I often wonder if it was solely her love for my Grandpa that kept her quiet or was it the pain and suffering that she had witnessed her brother, my uncle Billy, suffering. Whichever it was, she remained silent until cancer defeated her and she gave her self into Our Lords keeping 17 years ago. Her loving husband, my Grandpa, joined her shortly afterwards. I believe he gave up his fight to be with her. So together again they fly high amongst the angels.?❤? Even though time has passed I still feel cheated, who knows how much longer my Gran would have lived for if she hadn't had cancer. Or when I don't let grief and anger overtake rationality I think... WHAT IF THERE HAD BEEN A CURE? That recurring thought us why I wholeheartedly support Cancer Research. Thanks for listening and thank you for visiting my Fundraising Page. The money I raise will help fund life-saving research and to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. Donating through this page is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with Cancer Research UK.
