Hello Hibiscus,

                    like yourself some years ago l experienced a visit from a vivacious  lady called Pandora,who after the initial pleasentries having been exchanged insisted that l took a look inside the box she carried with her.Although l had yet to meet the person who discovered anything of merit to reveal itself from within,it would seem that our destiny compels us to do so.Upon doing so the shock,disbelief,horror,,accommpanied by an overwhelming darkness rushes out,blinding your vision,clouding your mind.Standing at a crossroad,do you succumb to this intruders bleak message of total despair,or will you see the other path illuminated by the light of hope leading to the destination of recovery.?       

                   The former is travelled alone surrounded by a mass of humanity on your peripathy,somehow removed and detached from your present.The latter finds you accompanied by people of ability and kindness ,supporting and urging you forward,there for you when you are most in need.They are joined by two very hard friends,Chemo and Radio,whose surnames of Therapy are there as a reminder at your low points,that they are on your side.Their problem is that as they go about violently evicting the unwelcome intruders,some fixtures and fittings get damaged in the process.Important then not to lose sight that rebuild and decoration can take place further down the line.The resulting makeover can lead to positive changes in your world that you never realised were possible,or would have been undertaken previously.

                                  l can attest to the above having commenced my personal jaunt to peer over the cliff edge seven years previously.l said goodbye to a number of things ,those who arrived at their own destination,part of my bowel and a lot of my liver,negativity and importantly fear of my future,after all the only requirement needed is patience.These losses are weighed up against the gains,neuropathy of the feet that my brain took a while to work out that it does not stop me moving forward,and that it does not need to pass on constant reminders of its presence.Positivity in spades,a zest for life,years regained physically,a blush of youth that is positively rude.Balanced against each other suggests a high price was paid for an exceptional end product
                                                              l hear your comment on survival rates,the same can be said of a non swimmer out of his depth, but what then of someone with arm and leg coordination coupled to the ambition to make dry land? The reality is that we can all float,we just have to allow ourselves permission to do so.Make good use of those around you,refuse no help,seek every assistance,and remember the two things you can influence in all of this,positive mindset coupled to as stressfree outlook as you can manage.You cannot change what has gone,but you can have a huge impact on what is too come,you just have to allow that possibility to be with you each and every day.

                                                                                                                              l wish you as easier passage that is possible to the comfort of complete cure,

                                                                                                David