My story - why I became a celebrant Part 2

Us

Later that same week, my husband went for an MRI scan at a private hospital, as the waiting list was long on the NHS, and so it could be weeks before he was given an appointment. Luckily, through his work, he had Bupa cover. The consultant got back to us the next day and said it was serious and was referring my husband back to the NHS. Less than 24 hours later, we were being given an appointment at Queen Elizabeth's in Woolwich for another MRI the next day. At that appointment, he was given another for an endoscopy - a camera was to be put down his throat to look into his stomach.

He had that procedure on the following Tuesday. We knew what the results would be as we were ushered into a room with a McMillan nurse straight after, who said that it was serious but she couldn't give us the results and that we would have to wait for an appointment to come through the following week.

I had begun looking into private courses to become a celebrant as a way to take my mind off everything that was going on, my husband was so encouraging ( he wasn't normally). I had worked as a self-employed beauty therapist for 12 years, and he was always asking me when I was going to get a real job!)

We discussed the possible outcome and hoped for the best-case scenario, but on the 14th of February 2024, we were given the results, which showed that what we hoped would be stage 2 was actually stage 4 gastric cancer.

We were devastated. My husband was told that he could have chemo, but it wouldn't save him, and to go out and live his life - he was given 12 - 18 months at most.

Through his insurance, we arranged a second opinion with another doctor who specialised in GI cancers. While he couldn't change the diagnosis and prognosis, he hoped to buy us time. He had a clinical trial for two new immunotherapy drugs. My husband was accepted onto the trial and by round 5 had made excellent progress - a 58% reduction in his tumours. We were over the moon; he was looking amazing, so healthy.

I resumed my search for courses, and with his input, I decided on a provider, everything was looking so positive.

To be continued!