A little cause for celebration at the end of a shitty week.

[dizzojay]

I think we'll all agree that it's been a truly horrible week.

That ugly, foul, evil illness, cancer, has taken two people that we love and admire; David Bowie, and Alan Rickman; three, if you count Lemmy who was taken from us just before the new year.  There have also been a number of lesser known, but no less tragic names:  Grizzly Adams Actor, Dan Haggarty; Brian Bedford, the voice of Disney's Robin Hood; and Celine Dion's husband who has bravely fought this curse for 18 years.

Taking all this into account, I just want to share a happier story with you.

Mr D and I have a friend called Steve, and old Railway mucker of Mr D's from the dim and distant past.

In January 2006 Steve received devastating news; stomach cancer, secondary in the liver.  He was given three months, nine with chemotherapy.  He took the chemotherapy option, and in the Summer of that year, an oncologist offered him the option to take part in some radical, experimental surgery.  Of course, Steve took it.

He posted on Facbook yesterday that this week marks his ten year anniversary of living with cancer.  He's not free of it; he'll never be free of it; it's sitting dormant and it will no doubt take him in the end, but for now it's held at bay by the brilliant people that have worked so hard to prolong Steve's life.  It hasn't been easy.  He had his stomach removed, and therefore could never live what you and I would class as a 'normal' life.  It's had a devastating impact on his life but, ultimately, it is a life, and Steve cherishes every single day.

So, at the end of this truly horrible week, here's to Steve, the self-proclaimed Nine-Stone Cowboy.  You told cancer to get fucked, and cancer grudgingly listened.

Here's to the next ten years, my friend!

Comments

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

That is an encouraging story of a brave friend - thanks for sharing and I'll join you in wishing your Steve many more pain-free years

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

He's been through so much , but I'm so proud of him. He really is one of life's troopers!

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

That is a truly inspiring piece of news bb thank you for sharing it! I have one of my own actually, I should post it! Good for your friend, no fuck that, fabulous, fucking fabulous for your friend, pass on my congrats and happies!

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Steve has been through so much - I'm so proud of him.

He's a great guy, a real character. When he was first diagnosed, he named his cancer 'Fluffy' because he couldn't bring himself to say the 'C' word.

Fluffy can sod right off - I hate it.

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

Seriously, please give him my happies and tell him he's an inspiration!

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Your Steve may actually remember him. He was a driver on South West Trains, Steve Ingle.

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

Steve says the name rings a bell but he's better with faces! Tell your friend about Steve, maybe he'll remember him ;)

[casey28.livejournal.com]

Great news about your friend. I hope he'll do well in the years ahead. :)

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I hope so too :)

[cassiopeia7.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this, Dizzo -- such a wonderful story coming at the end of what's been an atrocious week. "Here's to Steve," indeed! May he have many more such anniversaries.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

My sentiments exactly. Steve is a great guy, and deserves many more years!
x

[sillie]

Thanks for sharing. It's always nice to get some positive to balance out the negative. :)

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

It is a very uplifting story, and Steve has faced all these problems so bravely.