Morpurgo: I’ve been treated for cancer of voice box
SIR MIChAeL Morpurgo has had radiotherapy for cancer of the larynx, he revealed yesterday.
The children’s author, 74, said he was treated successfully at The Royal Marsden hospital in London following what he called an ‘unwelcome diagnosis’.
he added: ‘Last year, I was diagnosed with an early cancer of the larynx and my perspective on so much changed. It had to be confronted, dealt with, both surgically and psychologically.
‘Now, with excellent prospects for a full recovery, with my voice finding new strength, I have time to look back at the whole experience, at how fortunate I have been.’
The War horse author pulled out of several literary festivals last year, including henley in Oxfordshire and Budleigh Salterton in Devon. At the time, his publicist said: ‘Due to ongoing problems with his voice and treatment he has been receiving, Michael Morpurgo has been advised he must cancel speaking engagements for the time-being.
‘he hates to let people down, but must do this to give himself the best chance of recovery.’
The former Children’s Laureate opened up about his treatment in the Spectator magazine. he said: ‘By 74 it is easy to feel that you have seen it all, done it all, that nothing much surprises you any more. even an unwelcome medical diagnosis does not surprise you. You cope because you have to. You know it’s what happens to us all.
‘Friends and family much younger have been ill, and suffered long; some have fallen off the perch younger than I am now. I’ve been a lucky old parrot.’
Speaking of his treatment, the former teacher said he thought of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchild, as well as the youngsters he had taught or had read his books.
he added: ‘They were all the hope I needed, lying in that hospital being healed. It wasn’t only the radiotherapy doing the healing.’