It seems remarkable that 12 months ago to the day I went into the Churchill Blenheim Head & Neck unit for surgery for the cancer on my tongue - one year!
And I am still here and what looks like so far with no reoccurrence! This is a massive milestone and with most recurrences occurring within the first 1-2 years I am half way through this gateway, so a very positive position as it stands.
I had an MRI a few weeks ago, I haven't had the results yet but I’m using the 'no news is good news" notion that if there was a problem I am sure I would have heard something by now. My next checkup in on the 23rd July, so will no doubt get the full report then. This MRI is really my ground zero, everything now is about moving forward and enjoying life.
To add to the good news, my protruding tooth, bridge, and front implant have finally been removed! What a relief—it has already made eating so much easier., added to this the rear implant has been retained and the dentistry team believe they can rebuild a "larger" molar that will reduce the gap size and enable me to have more bite.
So after a year things are slowly getting back to some form of normality, Prof. Winter always envisaged it taking at least a year and I would say he is spot on.
When I look back over the past year it has been a proper journey, some massive ups and downs, a lot of very dark places and some great points throughout as well. I have certainly learnt a lot about my body (good and bad), through keeping going to the gym I feel healthy, I have been practicing my golf and feel I can go out on the course again now, so this is an upside to moving forward, and of course along with my growing family, my son gets married in a few months time there is so much to look forward to.
Some very sad news - actually gut wrenching
I did yesterday receive some devastating news that one of my oldest and best friend passed away whilst on holiday.
I have known Roger (and his wife Caroline) for over 40 years, we have holidayed together many times visiting Argentina just a couple of years ago in 2023, skied numerous times with our families, visiting me in South Africa and recently we have caught up a few times in Cornwall.
He was very easy going, although very competitive we did have our moments 😜😜 but a great friend, easy to get along with, was a bit frugal 😜 until he retired where he would then buy a round 😂😂 but it was a quirky thing that in some ways was endearing as we could laugh and joke about it.
He was a kind hearted soul, loved his wife and his family and whilst we didn't live in each other pockets. I as am sure he did as I did, always knew the other was there if it ever came to it. Which it has now - I actually thought with what I have had going on over the past year it would be the other way around so I'm just shocked to the core with this tragic news. We will help Caroline however we can.
We had a weekend in Cornwall a couple of months ago, played a round of golf (first time for me back on a course in the UK) and it was like we'd only seen each other the day before, albeit it was probably several months before. We could talk about anything, there was no bias or politics, just good friends. I will miss him dearly
Rest in Peace Roger, we love you dearly and will miss you very much
I think if anything it teaches me one lesson, especially if you've been ill that friends are worth staying in touch with. an obvious comment but one that is easily overlooked. I am not the best at this and can moan if I have to travel anywhere to meet up, but this shock has reminded me deeply, we are not around forever, I know this so well, it should be about staying in touch, meeting up more frequently even if you don't think you have time - you do so make time! life lessons are tough enough without having regrets.
The past is written but today is my chance to turn over a new leaf and start a new chapter. Stop feeling sorry for my self and using my cancer as an excuse, focus now is to meet people more frequently, truly enjoy their company and stay in touch and most importantly, be thankful to have such good friends and family around me
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