Cancer – Coping with the Big C

Stephen Hather

Copyright 2012 by Stephen Hather

Smashwords Edition

A few years ago, four to be exact, I underwent a fairly routine operation.  Shortly afterwards, I had to go back to see the surgeon and he rather coldly presented me with the devastating news that I had cancer. I felt so lonely.

I’ll be honest, my world fell in. At first I thought it must be a mistake.  It was so unexpected and I thought that was it, I was going to die.

I simply had not felt unwell, just a slight swelling in my neck.  Preliminary tests carried out prior to the operation had shown that there was a very small chance that it could be cancer, but as I felt well, how could that be?

Perhaps in hindsight that was naive.  Besides, the specialist had said that the tests were never definite and not to worry.

However, after a subsequent operation to remove some adjoining, possibly infected tissue, together with many trips to the hospital for more blood tests, more scans and to see my specialist, four years later I am still here and feeling well.  I still have cancer, but it is not an aggressive form and thank God, is still for now under control.

I could not actually accept that I had cancer, but now I am almost accepting that I have.  I wake up at night sometimes, thinking it’s all a dream, but then it comes back.  I still find it difficult to make plans for the future.

Coping with cancer is something that is all in the mind.  My wife and son have been a terrific support, getting me through the days when I felt terribly low.  You have to be very strong, never give up the fight and try to get on with life.