Your Health
| SECRET MILLIONAIRE |  | | | VIEW FROM THE HILL | | | | YOUR HEALTH | | |
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Better off dead? Not on your life!
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| POSITIVE: Andy Jackson |
I AM a cancer survivor and I am surprised by the findings of the survey.
Cancer patients I have met have been upbeat and positive and their emphasis has been taking on the fight against the cancer and making the most of each day, not thinking about the life beyond.
This was certainly the approach I adopted in my own fight.
I was diagnosed with leukaemia in September 2003, just a week before I started university and only three months after my mum was told she had terminal bowel cancer.
Despite this I was positive from the outset and as soon as I felt well enough, started doing things I had always wanted to do. I went to Australia to watch the Rugby World Cup Final, ran the London Marathon and watched Arsenal play Birmingham as a guest of the then vice-chairman David Dein.
The transplant procedure was by no means a pleasant one, but I was very fortunate and was in and out of hospital within a month.
People often ask me how I remained so positive throughout the whole process, especially given what my mum was going through at the same time.
In all honesty I don't really know, but being young certainly helped. When you're young you are fearless and far more optimistic about things.
I had that absolute belief that I would get through it all, just as I'd got through everything before.
| There were moments where I felt down and frustrated but not once did I think I would be better off dead. | | Andy Jackson |
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I was also driven by the fact that I had so much more still to live for. I was just eighteen when I was diagnosed and hadn't really achieved anything. I had university to look forward to, dreams to follow and a career to forge. Quite simply I wasn't ready to die.
There were moments where I felt down and frustrated but not once did I think I would be better off dead. Whenever I did start to get down I thought of the impact that this might have on my Mum and I tried to put my situation in perspective. Mum's fate was decided - she was going to die, whereas there was a high chance I was going to live. I had to be strong for her, as the last thing she needed was to be worried about me.
Since the transplant I've never really looked back. In a funny way I think leukaemia was one of the best things that's ever happened to me. I've now got a greater appreciation for life and value each and every day.
THE Daily Echo is running a fundraising campaign for the Bournemouth-based YCT, which provides free activity breaks for cancer sufferers aged 14 to 30.
To donate money please send cheques payable to Youth Cancer Trust Appeal 2008 to YCT, Tracy Ann House, 5, Studland Road, BH4 8HZ or call 01202 763591.
7:00am Tuesday 12th August 2008
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CommentPosted by: hoppity, hamworthy on 10:32am Tue 12 Aug 08
My mum had cancer from the age of 50 and never ever gave up she had treatment over 27 years all told and lasted untill she was 77. I hope that I would be as brave as her if I had to go through what she went through, she is my inspiration
My mum had cancer from the age of 50 and never ever gave up she had treatment over 27 years all told and lasted untill she was 77. I hope that I would be as brave as her if I had to go through what she went through, she is my inspiration
Posted by: Carl Barron, Dorset on 12:08pm Tue 12 Aug 08
Posted by: hoppity, hamworthy on 10:32am today
[bold]Quote [/bold] My mum had cancer from the age of 50 and never ever gave up.
[bold]Reply [/bold] Most all of us including myself have lost dear friends because of Cancer.
There is more than just a light in the tunnel so to speak [bold]hoppity[/bold] .
For more detailed information as to [bold]Cures[/bold] not treatments, see [bold]TaskNews Health Page[/bold]
[bold]Copy paste[/bold] link below into browser:
http://uk.geocities.
com/tasknews/health.
htm
Posted by: hoppity, hamworthy on 10:32am today
Quote My mum had cancer from the age of 50 and never ever gave up.
Reply Most all of us including myself have lost dear friends because of Cancer.
There is more than just a light in the tunnel so to speak
hoppity .
For more detailed information as to
Cures not treatments, see
TaskNews Health Page
Copy paste link below into browser:
http://uk.geocities.
com/tasknews/health.
htm
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