I was wrong. Back in November 2021, I made a premature announcement that I had written my last My Cancer Diaries blog. It wasn’t long after I had made that announcement (who was listening anyway?), that my very close friend, confidante and Chief Sherpa was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

A postscript soon followed as I vainly attempted to articulate the bastard feeling inside me. That inferno that screamed so loud and yet went unheard.

Why?

Why did she have to go?

Why so suddenly?

Why?

My boastful mantra that ‘a cancer diagnosis does not have to be a death sentence’, and several similar iterations of the same sentiment, was annihilated in just three swift weeks from diagnosis to death.

Fuck.

That was tough.

And so I find myself back at the keyboard, searching deep for the cathartic response to a 12 month journey of emotional, physical and financial turmoil.

A year that saw me close down two businesses, open a third, lose a best friend, gain two beautiful granddaughters, see my daughter get married, reacquaint with more than just one special person, catch covid, three viruses and countless minor ailments… but you know what, it’s still been a great year!

Why?

Humility.

Respect.

Love.

Hope.

Repeat.

Getting cancer is not a death sentence (for some). It’s a pause. A smack on the back of the head.

A time to reboot. Reflect. Learn.

Then go again.

I thank God (well, my ignorant version of said Being), that I got cancer. Yes. He became my friend. That ‘friend’ you wish you never had but, on reflection, did you more good than harm.

Thanks for listening.

This is …. My last Cancer Diary blog!

Saturday 26th March 2022

Alone. A bar in Nerja, Andalusia.

Survived.