It was definitely one of the worst days of my life when Amanda told me that the cancer had returned, and hearing the words 'brain tumour' seemed to make it even worse, (if that’s at all possible). Having seen her go through breast cancer and the extremely challenging treatment that comes with it was bad enough, but knowing that she had to endure this again was torture.
However, this wasn’t about me, it was about Amanda. As a family, we perhaps have had more than most to test us, and this was one more thing [albeit massive] to deal with. It would be easy to think ‘why us?’, but even though those thoughts do enter your mind, what good does it do?
Amanda has been so incredibly brave, but the side effects with the radiotherapy have been horrendous, and in some ways worse than those with the chemotherapy associated with breast cancer. She has handled everything with such extreme dignity, far better than I would ever have done. Her support network is brilliant, but it is Amanda who has to deal with these problems every minute of every day. For such an incredibly talented, beautiful and proud young woman this does seem to be so unfair. In addition to the cancer treatment side effects Amanda also has to handle chronic migraine on a daily basis, which believe me is bad enough in its own right.
To me the best way to support Amanda has been to listen and watch out for the best way to help her, in other words, not what you want to do, but what she wants you to do.
I’m hoping and praying every night that the cancer doesn’t come back, and I don’t think that it will! However many couples are not fortunate enough to have had children; Carole and I have been, and thank God for that privilege.
Amanda’s husband Dean is understated, but does a tremendous job in looking after her every day, and Amanda’s Mum Carole is the catering manager despite her own illnesses. A special thank you to Amanda’s surgeon, Miss Albanese who I truly believe was God sent!
Just over one more week to go with the radiotherapy, and then Amanda is on the road to recovery. I can’t wait for her to be fit and well again, and for her and Dean to be able to live the brilliant lives that they both deserve.
Amanda's Dad
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