7 yrs ago, my lovely wife Linda was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, more commonly called Asbestosis (Lung Cancer). When we received the news, we felt that we were alone in a world of darkness. That there was no help that we were offered and that we only had a few weeks more together. The pain was unbearable, for both of us.

We had been inseparable for over 40yrs, living in each others pockets. working together, playing together and raising a family together and suddenly trying to face the unimaginable together, but, at the same time, alone.

Then into our world came Dr Podd of the the Oncology Dept. In a world of darkness, suddenly there was a single candle giving us hope and strength. Dr Podd became our hero and I don't use the word lightly. Though he couldn't offer a cure, he offered us time. We spent the next 6 yrs living a 6 week cycle. Lin would have an Xray and depending on the result, we would either arrange treatment, if the result was not what we hoped, or if there was no change, we would go out for a meal together and celebrate. Of course, after 4 or 5 weeks, we'd have to come back to the hospital and do it all over again.

We'd sit in the waiting room, listening to others complaining about the wait and hold hands and say that we'd be happy to sit and wait for an eternity, as long as we were together, rather than face that long walk down the corridor to Dr Podd's office and those dreaded results.

Dr Podd and all the wonderfully friendly people in the Oncology Dept, including the receptionists, who took the time to call Lin by her first name every time they saw her, either in the hospital or whenever we would bump into them whilst out shopping, saved Lin for over 6 yrs and Chris Garlic (Cancer Nurse Specialist), saved me, then and now whenever I sink back into the darkness that threatens to engulf me at every opportunity.

It was Lin that told Dr Podd that I wasn't coping and Dr Podd that arranged for me to see Chris Garlic. Even then, it was Lin carrying me, rather than as people thought, me looking after Linda. We always used to tell people, how after seeing one particularly good Xray, Dr Podd said, "Why are you sitting here with a silly old sod like me, when you should be booking that cruise you're always talking about" and within the hour, we were booked and then sailing two days later.

On behalf of Lin and me, thank you Dr Podd, thank you Oncology, one and all.