What had my absolute trust in Dr Whiteside given me?
Apart from relatively minor interruption to studies for a few
years, and the rigours of treatment, I have led a perfectly normal
life. I am active, and can play any sport. The teaching profession is satisfying and enjoyable, and most importantly, I have been blessed with
a family of my own. My faith in the doctor has been completely
justified.
Where to from that point?
I knew that I couldn't just walk away from all that had
happened. The option was there to live my own life, and forget
the bad times. It was tempting.
As I left the offices it became obvious to me that I had to
continue my interest in other patients, and wherever possible,
do more. There was no escaping the memory of how I felt when
I was told that there was no one that I could talk to who had
been through the disease. It was devastating.
Now the responsibility was mine.
Initially, my visits to the hospital were all by appointment. In
the early days there was minimal paper work to be completed,
but later I found that the forms became tedious and the queues
long.
In the I980s, when I needed to attend a clinic, or maybe just
visit a friend, I would offer my time to talk to new patients in
the leukaemia ward. All of them seemed grateful for the opportunity
to meet me.
