Popular Post Xann Posted February 28, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted February 28, 2017 Around this time last year a good friend announced that she'd been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer and that Glastonbury 2016 would be her last. Up to that point I hadn't been planning on attending the festival. A number of us hastily cancelled and rescheduled whatever we had planned for the final week of June to see our friend. She didn't make it. Most of us did. It was an emotional gathering of friends and family. The overwhelming feeling was obviously one of sadness, with some small joy in the reunion of friends. December 2016 - Three friends announce they have cancer. By January all three were aware that they were unlikely to see 2018. As it stands: one is partying like an animal, sustained by oramorph. One has gone to Thailand with his partner whilst he's still well enough to travel. The third is in a hospice now. Pale, sickly, uncomfortable, heavily medicated, drifting in and out of consciousness and angry. Angry at his short straw, worried about what will become of his disabled brother whom he was the carer for. It's not a happy situation and it's one he hardly deserves. He kept a secret for most of the dozen or so years I knew him. He was a Samaritan, and mentor to other Samaritans. Last night the nurse at the hospice took me aside and asked if I'd like to be contacted on his passing. Was fairly down when I got home. Then checked Facebook and the day brightened just a little. A friend has just sold the business he started a dozen years ago, for an 8 figure sum. He also is a nice guy. He lived in a converted police horse box when we worked together. He's smashed it under his own power, he's not a suit and did it without help from Daddy. Then I remembered a conversation last week with an old friend. Our old social circle has mostly done really well for themselves and are well respected in their fields. So it's not all darkness, they used their time well in the decade since I last saw them. Not really sure what I want to say here? It's just all these things have got me thinking. I suppose a part of it is don't just go through the motions. If you're given the chance? Make a difference to a life or lives whilst you are able, even if it's yours. Oh, and give up smoking! 3 of the 4 smoked. The Samaritan being the healthy eating non smoker - His anger is totally understandable. 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator TrentVilla Posted February 28, 2017 Moderator Share Posted February 28, 2017 Hope you feel better getting it off your chest, its important. Like you I've seen too many good people brought down by that horrible disease and lost loved ones and family. So often it seems to strike such good people and its hard not to look at some of life's scum and think why not them.... Hearing things like that just makes me grateful for what I've got in life and determined to grab it, make the most of it and have a laugh along the way as long as it lasts. As for smoking, I think if you've lost anyone to cancer, smoking is just about the most stupid thing you can do in life. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xann Posted February 28, 2017 Author Share Posted February 28, 2017 11 minutes ago, TrentVilla said: Hope you feel better getting it off your chest, its important. Thanks. My intention was to get pissed with a friend over the weekend, but I'm helping her move house. It would have bubbled away for the next week and a half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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