Cancer is a journey, but you walk the road alone. There are many places to stop along the way and get nourishment — you just have to be willing to take it. ~Emily Hollenberg

16 Jul

Both the last Post and this have been written at home; the comfort of familiar views, sights, furniture and most importantly, family.

It is Wednesday, 16th July,for two days now I have managed three light meals and been relatively pain free compared to the past 12 days.

When Pilgrims reach Santiago de Compostella, they claim their certificate from the Pilgrims’ office and celebrate, rightly, nearly all attend the pilgrims’ Mass at the Cathedral, whether they religious or not.
But , traditionally, after some respite, pilgrims would walk for a further three days to Finisterre and burn their ragged, smelly cloaks and sandals;I have to confess to not doing this after any of my Caminhos!

Is there an analogy here?
I reached my goal in coming through the Operation.(no certificate )

I reached home and left all my frequent changes ( sometime four a day ) of gowns and pyjamas, soiled , sweaty sheets behind.

20140716-091956-33596039.jpg
So, will leave it there for now.
It’s pretty much down to me now, with support from the hospital,family and friends….
PS. Scars and Tattoos….there are different kinds of scars, on the skin and in the mind; despite the bad days of pain, I have none of the latter, but three of the former, as a result of the surgery; their minimal size is down to the brilliance of MR Ibrahim, my surgeon.
Never wanted a tattoo, nor jewellery; proud of my scars….they tell a much greater tale than any tattoo.

4 Responses to “Cancer is a journey, but you walk the road alone. There are many places to stop along the way and get nourishment — you just have to be willing to take it. ~Emily Hollenberg”

  1. Dermot Winston's avatar
    Dermot Winston 16/07/2014 at 13:45 #

    I’ll be in touch again in a few days John.
    Phone me if you or Barbara need any help.
    Derm

    Reply
  2. Jim's avatar
    Jim 19/07/2014 at 20:05 #

    Hope to see you next week ,john

    Reply
  3. John Bos's avatar
    John Bos 15/04/2016 at 04:12 #

    I am one of three cancer survivors creating a journal of poems and photos for the Cancer Connection in Northampton, MA (http://www.cancer-connection.org/) and would like to request your permission to use your “Cancer is a journey quote in the journal. I can send you a detailed email with sample pages and our call for poets. We have received permission to use poems by Jane Kenyon, Jane Yolen, Mary Oliver and others.

    I look forward to hearing from you. John Bos (jhbos@verizon.net) (413) 625-2082

    Reply

Leave a comment