 Lorraine and Steve on Scout Scar In many ways it was a dreary December spent waiting to hear from doctors and hospitals. I was no longer fit enough to go out walking. It was however brightened by many things especially the good wishes and Christmas cards sent to Steve and I by the OFC members and the candle burning on the OFC website. I must not forget the surprise I got when the two dozen roses arrived from Peter on behalf of the OFC. |  Will I get back onto the fells again?  |
Christmas was a family time spent at my sister's and despite gaining the surgeon's approval to get plastered, I only had a couple of glasses of champagne. Boxing Day saw the great trek north to my other family as I drove to see Steve and his parents in Barrow, where I had a quiet couple of days. New Year's Eve was very strange, I was due in hospital the next day and I couldn't help feeling that this might be the last time I saw a New Year, or the last time I had a drink of alcohol etc.Despite the many setbacks, mainly caused by my new allergy to penicillins, I spent most of January in hospital. I finally went home ten days after I had the Whipple procedure. The doctors and nursing staff had said that I was recovering very well. It was great to be back home, although I felt very insecure. The follow up after discharge was non-existent, but gradually day by day I got better. I stopped being sick and managed to eat some food. I lost nearly one and a half stones. As my sister said, it was an extreme way of having a stomach stapling done on the National Health!! It's now been eight weeks since the operation and with the help of various strong painkillers I feel that I have turned a corner. From just about managing to walk to the kitchen two weeks after the operation, to managing to walk part way along my road after four weeks, last week (seven weeks post operation) I had a day out in Haworth with my parents and managed part of a fish and chip meal. Normal food! I thought it would be months before I had more than soup or slops to eat.  Askam and the Fells Saturday came and so did the discomfort. I tried a small walk through Abbotswood at Furness Abbey and then drove back. The rest of the day was spent dozing. I might have beaten cancer, but the operation had beaten me for the day. Poor Steve had had a few gentle strolls and that was all. Sunday dawned bright and sunny and I was feeling good. We drove to Askam and walked along the 'famous' Askam Pier. Although only a half mile long, again that was enough for me. The weather was kind and the views were fantastic. We had clear views of the Scafells, Esk Pike, Bowfell and part of the Crinkles. We could see for miles. We even saw the Isle of Man peeping over Haverigg. Then it was time for me to leave. So I am now back in Wardle, determined that I am going to get up those fells once again. I know I have a long way to go, but I am sure that I will get there. I am determined to have that glass of bubbly on an appropriate fell for my birthday this year. If any one had told me three and half months ago that I would be out walking, albeit slowly and gently in March, I would have said "Rubbish!". However there is life after cancer and a good life at that. I would just like to add that without Steve's support my recovery would have been slower. It was good to know that he was there whenever I needed him, whether for a cuddle or to help after I had been ill. Thanks Steve.
 You can help beat cancer by sponsoring Liz & Sophie Lemal when they participate in Race for Life in May to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
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