Trigger Warning: cancer
This month marks the tenth year since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am cured, thankfully, and recently officially received confirmation of that from my annual scans. But I am loath to mention my celebrations, as I have so many friends whose lives have been blighted by the long shadow this horrendous disease can cast.
Only the other day I heard that another friend’s life had come to an end, after years of cancer treatment. On the bus on the way home yesterday, when I mentioned my celebrations, another friend reminded me that our mutual friend died from cancer not long after my diagnosis, 9 years ago. Also yesterday I spoke with another friend who is in the middle of her annual cycle of griefs – it’s 3 years since her husband died (far too young) from cancer. And I noticed again the Facebook profile of a friend I made in hospital who was exactly the same age as me, but who sadly died aged 39, less than a year after we met, in the midst of her treatment.
In memory of all these remarkable people and also in encouragement of all of my friends who have gone through treatment and survived like me, I do want to write of my gratitude.
Last night my housemates cooked up a storm to help me celebrate. It was good to remember and also to celebrate. A lot has happened in those ten years for which I am so grateful.
This morning as we prayed we read this quote from Evelyn Underhill:
When we are in good health, we all feel very real, solid, and permanent; and this is of all our illusions the most ridiculous.
May I never take the gift of life for granted.
la perle 
Dear Alison, I am so happy that your cancer seems to be gone definitely. Mine is 6 years old now, but I often have carcinoma sur la peau qui doivent être enlevés par chirurgie. Sinon I am usually in good spirits, able to do little walks in the forest, to play the flute, and to read interesting books. Bernard is OK, we see each other very often. Ma Perle (Jacques) va mal, il ne voit presque plus, tombe souvent dans son appartement et doit bientôt aller dans une maison de retraite. I read all your blogs and today I am very happy to receive a new photo from you, tu es adorable ! Je t’embrasse très affectueusement Heidi
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Ah Heidi! C’est si bon d’entendre de toi! Je suis heureuse que tu es en assez bonne santé de toute façon. Je suis désolée d’entendre de ta perle qui souffre plus maintenant 😔 J’espère que votre amitié peut être peut lui encourager encore comme même. Que tu peux lui rendre visite où parler à la téléphone toujours pour l’encourager.
C’est bon d’entendre que Bernard va bien aussi.
Je t’embrasse et t’envoyer tous mes amitiés! Grosses bises 😘 XXXX
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