Happy New Year
2017 was not a year I will look back on with great fondness. Yes, the year was punctuated with some good memories such as a week in captivating St Barts before it was sadly hit by Hurricane Irma, but mostly for me it will be remembered for some difficult and anxious times.
I was diagnosed with cancer in February, which has sent me through an emotional loop of feelings. One minute angry, one minute thankful and lucky, but often disconnected and insular. There was a lot of relief too. Relieved because thanks to my early observation, a quick thinking GP and a marvellous urologist, the cancer was detected and removed all in a space of just over 24 hours, but undoubtedly the emotional scars it has left are taking longer to heal.
The initial impact was surreal though, I had an operation to remove the cancer just two days before my biggest work trip of the year. I still went, although I probably shouldn’t. Afterwards I slowed it down a little, but have always found it difficult to do nothing. However I am recovering well, and I am one of the very lucky ones.
For those of you that have followed my Blog musings since the beginning, I have always been very open on these pages, and although at the time I was unable to write those words above, it seemed appropriate now. For many friends this won’t be news because I felt talking about it at the time aided my rehabilitation and I want to thank them and my family for being there for me.
The good news is that the cancer has gone, and now I am under a 3 month scrutiny and cycle of blood work, CAT scans and my oncologist’s beady eye as well as regular check-ins from my urologist, who guided me through a turbulent few weeks and months with professionalism, kindness and humour.
There were other hurdles in 2017 at home and work, and I truly hope that 2018 brings better clarity and less shall we say exciting times.
Of course Charlton have not been the distraction they always were, and should be. 2017 has been another year of despair for Addicks including myself, but as we enter the final days of the year, Addicks everywhere dream that we can also enter a fresh year with clarity, renewed affinity and some excitement of the better kind.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by to read my musings, especially those that leave a comment. It means a lot.
A happy and healthy New Year to you all.
CA
I was shocked to hear about your cancer but so pleased to hear that you caught it early. Fantastic news for you and your family. I have read your blog from the beginning and always appreciate your insight and well-crafted communications. Good luck for the New Year and let’s hope this is the beginning of a new era for the Addicks.
Many thanks Paul. Happy New Year.
Happy new year to you C.A, especially after what you have been through. I cant remember how many years I have been reading your blogs, which started while working in Texas (Texas Addick), and now retired and living in Dorset. it was always well worth the read, hope you still have years of blog life left, as we all anticipate the arrival of new owners, the sooner the better.
Hi Malcolm, I hope I have plenty of blogging years left too 😀. Hope you are enjoying Dorset. Happy New Year.
CA – glad that you are getting through your trial and that everything was caught early and got rid of.
I know what you are going through as I had a mild heart attack out of the blue a few months ago – a warning shot for what might be ahead as when I had an angiogram at hospital I was a ticking time bomb! For a while I was looking at a 200 mile ambulance trip to London for a quadruple heart by-pass op but luckily my medical team opted for the stent route instead, putting 4 into the old ticker in what they called “a full metal jacket”!
Like you I’m on the road to recovery …. hopefully like our team who seem ready to shed the cancer that has afflicted them for the last 4 years. I hope it’s not out of the frying pan into the fire with whoever takes us over – but just let’s hope it’s a group who understands the unique ethos of our club and who will move us forward back to where we belong, one or two divisions above where we are now.
I have enjoyed reading your musings – long may you continue to put your sland on what goes on at the Valley. I wish you a happy, healthy new year and an ongoing recovery from your recent illness and success for our blighted football club.
A healthy and happy New Year to you Mark. Here’s to a reinvigorated Charlton too.
Thank you for sharing your news and glad to hear the good news of your recovery also. When something like this happens as it did with my wife twice, you get to know who your friends are and you learn to have a different perspective on life. My best thoughts to you and your family. One perspective that will not change however is all this group’s wish for new ownership and hopefully it is sooner or later. Happy New Year
California Addick
Indeed you do Cal A – Happy New Year to you and your family.
Wishing you good health for 2018 and onwards CA
Many thanks. Happy New Year.
Yes indeed we all have to pinch ourselves indeed and so pleased you have beaten this dreadful disease. Inedd Happy and more importantly A Healthy New Year and most of us take it for granted.
Happy New Year John.
Sorry indeed but my fingers faster than my brain. Very dangerous lol Love all xxx
CA, I responded by direct email and hope you received my comments and observations regarding your disclosure of having recently dealt with the very nasty thing called cancer.
Glad things are in great shape!
Thanks Bob.
Bob, I didn’t get your direct mail.
Hi CA, I am so sorry to read of the health scare you experienced earlier in 2017, but so pleased for you that you had access to quick diagnosis and treatment. Well done you for that. I’ve been reading your blogs for some years now and value your words, thoughts and insights. I wish you all the best for 2018 and beyond, and let’s hope that our beloved cafc attracts an owner worthy of all our (pained) support. Go well, stand tall…
Cheers to that Richard. Happy New Year.
Blimey CA,your cancer scare must have been an awful experience. Really pleased for you that it was dealt with so quickly. makes you think about early retirement doesn’t it?
take very good care of yourself and thank you for all those fantastic posts – it might not seem much to you, but when we share our Addick pain it does help!
Pembury Addick
Many thanks PA. I think about early retirement every morning 🙂