Ons answered
Angela Leigh has written Really Sick Questions offering help on how to support those diagnosed with a terminal illness. ‘no, no, no, keep going, but you need to do something about your journey.”
That became the first part of the book — the story of Jeff’s diagnosis and treatment.
“He got diagnosed with bowel cancer first,” says Angela. “They said it was quite operable — three months and he’d be up and running.”
However, it would be a six-month wait to see a specialist.
“So the kids paid for us to go private.” While waiting for treatment Jeff began to feel unwell, and his health deteriorated to the point where he was going to hospital regularly.
An emergency MRI revealed a brain tumour. “He needed life-and-death surgery, there and then, so was taken to Hamilton.
“He then went through the journey of radiation and chemo for that.”
Even so, he was only given around three months.
When, almost two years later, there was no sign of the tumour, he was scheduled to finally have the operation on his bowel.
It was while recovering that it was discovered the bowel cancer had metastasised to his liver.
“We couldn’t do anything except try chemo and we tried two different sorts and they both failed — so there was nothing more we could do.”
Angela says it was in both her and Jeff’s hearts to help people.
“It’s hard for everyone — for me, I nursed Jeff right till the end and it’s really hard seeing your loved one going through that. And there are senseless things that are said that are better left unsaid.
“If somehow this book helps someone who is in my situation, then that’s where my heart is. [I hope] it can stop some of those unnecessary, well-meaning but silly remarks being made.”
Accompanying the book is a smaller, free booklet that only contains the text of the middle section of the book.
People can contact Angela to purchase the book via the Really Sick Questions Facebook page, or visit the website www. reallysickquestions.co.nz.
■ Angela will launch the book at The Daily Cafe this evening, starting at 6.30pm.