I wasn’t sure how I’d react when I saw him.
Whether I would be shocked, whether I would cry, whether he would cry, whether I would panic.
Whether I would be able to keep whatever it was I was feeling off my face so he would stay calm.
I’d driven him to the hospital, he’d asked, half-joking, if I would just take him home.
For I second I seriously thought about it, knowing how scared he was, knowing how much he didn’t want this to happen, how much I didn’t want this to happen.
Everything from this day on was unknown. How our life would be, how we would get things done was all likely to change.
But he needed to stay and it needed to go.
The leg.
The cancer leg.
Because if it stayed, if he made the decision to keep the leg, and of course he could have made that decision, he could have refused treatment, then what?
If it stayed we certainly wouldn’t have a chance to grow old and grey together.
If it stayed he wouldn’t have a chance to see the kids grow up.
If it stayed he wouldn’t have a chance of cure.
If it stayed cancer would win.
It needed to go so the tumours would be gone.
To give himself a fighting chance to beat it.
So we parked up and went in and we waited.
More waiting.
The waiting for this day, for this to happen has been awful.
As the day got closer butterflies grew, there was just no way to comprehend what was about to happen, no way to imagine, to get your head around it.
It was worse for him.
The time came, I had to concentrate on not crying.
As I helped him tie his gown, as I walked down the corridor next to him being wheeled in his bed, as we got to the lift that would take him to theatre but was where I had to leave him.
As I squeezed his hand and told him I’d see him later.
Not crying because I wanted him to not be scared.
Wanted him to know that it would be ok.
As I turned from him I couldn’t stop a lump forming in my throat.
It was impossible to relax, to switch off, to think of anything else apart from how I’d feel when I saw him.
I drove around for a bit, windows open and music up loud. In the end I waited in his room.
They came to tell me it was done, I could see him.
‘He’s already been cracking jokes they told me’
The walk seemed to take forever but then there he was
He smiled and it was right at that point I knew we were going to get through this no matter how hard it was going to be.
Goodbye cancer leg.
Good riddance.
I can’t imagine how you must both have been feeling beforehand, but I’m so glad you were feeling positive afterwards. It’s a huge change for you all, but hopefully life can begin again now. Onwards and upwards!
I am in tears reading this, you’re both amazing! I loved the photo you posted yesterday of your champion, wire and tube free. It’s going to be such a positive future for you all now xxx
I can’t begin to imagine what you are going through but I do know both from what I’ve read and from what I know of you & Chris through OSJ, is that you will get through this, you will beat this & that you will come out of this so much stronger! Sending lots of love, big hugs and positive vibes your way! #TeamCowley ❤
What an incredibly tough decision to have to make and go through but what amazing strength you have as a couple. All the best for his recovery.
Oh lovely. You know you are going to both smash this. How incredibly brave. I know there is a long road ahead but look how far you have already come. Good luck xx
What an incredible post. Sending you both every positive thought XX
What an incredible post. Wishing you both lots of luck on the journey ahead. Megan (Truly Madly Kids) XX
You’ll get through it ok I promise and the next 12 months will be just as hard as I’ve just been through them. Life will never be the same it will be different and need lots of planning. Good luck and big hugs xxx
I know partly what you are going through, a good friend of mine recently lost her leg due to an accident. But it must be 10x harder with the cancer too. I send many hugs and positive vibes for a future of growing grey together x
So happy for you all on getting through such a tough tough week. I hope Chris is recovering well at home and I hope you’re ok too lovely. you are both awesome and I loved the photo of you all yesterday xx
Wow – that was a misty read! Wishing you both all the strength you need to get through this & out the other side. Here’s to a grey growing future together x