I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin Lymphoma on the 23rd December 2009. Since that day my life has had some interesting turns. Having been in show business all my life, I thought I had led a very interesting life up until then .Being told the world you thought was fine was about to undergo some mighty changes came as a bit of a shock.
It is amazing how a life threatening illness can bring things into perspective pretty quickly. A lot of people ask me how I discovered something was wrong. I simply felt a lump on my neck while I was shaving and thought I should see my G.P. That was an important decision, to have it checked as soon as possible.
A lot of men feel an illness is a weakness and tend to stick their heads in the sand hoping it will go away. Big mistake! Cancer has been present in my family, having lost a sister to melanoma and an aunt to breast and lung cancer. It is an insidious disease and not to be taken lightly. Fortunately after a few chemo sessions I am in remission and hope to stay that way. I firmly believe the body manifests what the mind dictates. So I maintain a very positive outlook and do not associate with negative people or have negativity around me.
I haven’t had any adverse reaction to Mabthera, the drug prescribed for my chemo, so I have not had the pain or loss of hair often associated with chemo. Perhaps I wouldn't be as positive. If the situation were different. I do know that I would take it head on if it were.
Friends and loved ones are also an important part of the therapy and healing process. I have been fortunate my fiancée Rosemarie has been with me every step of the way and supports me. She also keeps me grounded and won't let me play "The Cancer Card" for sympathy. I guess she knows me pretty well.
Walking into Peter Mac hospital for treatment I see some very sick patients that is one of the things I found hard to come to terms with. I keep saying to myself, "There but for the grace of God go I". So every day is a good one and this month we are off to Europe for five weeks holiday. Just because you have cancer doesn't mean you stop enjoying life.
