Comings and Goings

This is the super yacht This Is Us at Pendennis marina a few weeks ago. How the other half lives.....

Life is always about comings and goings, but over the last week I’ve had several notable ones.

First my oldest friend Lin - we met when we were 4 at the school gates - has been living in Australia for the last 30 years. She’s over here on a flying visit as her dad has just died, bless him. Sadly I won’t be able to go to the funeral owing to a plethora of hospital appointments, and the last time she came over I couldn't see her as Pip was too ill. But we had a lovely long talk the other night - “just like being kids again,” she said happily - and will do again before she leaves. And we are definitely meeting up next time she comes over.

After that (this is in date order), another Falmouth friend came back from a month in India. On her own. I haven’t seen her yet but sounds like she had a fascinating time and I look forward to hearing more about her adventures. Good and bad.

Mr B is due back next week after a prolonged absence, and he and Al are determined to get me back into tip top condition for spring, and in particular for racing Snap in Falmouth Week. I have no idea how they intend to do that, and have a feeling it won’t involve anything medical, but it’s very comforting to know.

Right now I am making the most of every precious moment. There is a lot to fit in - stockpiling articles for work, several parties, a chance meeting with someone who used to work on super yachts and is now running a restaurant, who I will interview - enjoying a rare day of sunshine on the Lizard with the lone sailor, and catching up with friends. Then on Monday I went to a wake of someone who died of prostate cancer in his early 60s. I think you can imagine how I felt about that.

Besides cramming as much enjoyment into my life as I can, and resting when necessary, I am planning. Packing a case. Going for another scan tonight then on Thursday a pre-op assessment. Next week another visit to the gynaecologist, by which time we might know a bit more. All those things happen to my other persona - the one who I will become, in a few weeks. The one who’s about to go through something too massive and life changing to even contemplate. It’s like walking in the shadow of Everest. I know I’ll have to climb it, soon, but right now I just have to prepare myself (and cling on tight to those hands that hold mine).

Someone who doesn’t know me suggested that these cysts might be seen as a wake up call. To what? The fact that I love my life? Like anyone there are several aspects of my life that could be improved upon, but nothing’s perfect.

It’s difficult trying to imagine a poorly me while I am still bouncing round, full of beans and pain free. Enjoying life to the full. So I take each day as it comes, and will do that for as long as I can. In fact, it’s a much better way to live.

But I know that my friends are the best in the world. You give me enormous strength, and I count myself very fortunate to feel so loved and cherished.

And lastly, I can solve the mystery of the two bunches of daffodils left on my doorstep on Saturday night. It was suggested I might have a secret admirer, but I couldn’t think of anyone. Although of course if they were secret, I wouldn’t know. But I’ve just found out they were from my dear friend Emma. Bless you, Em.