The waiting is over. We finally got the result. It is lymphoma.
What we had expected and been prepared for by the doctors, but still… it was hard to take in.
Our doctors have advised us to stay here in Melbourne for the first stage of chemotherapy which will start next week and take around ten weeks or so. They said Steve is still young, strong and healthy and should cope with the treatment well.
My wonderful cousin Sarah has insisted that we make ourselves at home in their garden flat for as long as we need. I can’t imagine how we would have coped without her, Russ and the family’s support.
Steve is much more positive and determined since getting the result. Now that he knows what he’s facing, he can’t wait to start treatment and fight this illness.
As for me, well I’ve always hated every storm we’ve encountered out at sea. Often I’ve said to Steve –“Never ever again.” But I did survive each bad weather, got stronger each time and found it easier to face and cope with the next one. This is a big storm of a different kind we’re facing. I know I will survive it. I know I will be stronger. I know I will cope, especially with all the love, help and support I have from my wonderful family and friends. But I absolutely dread it.
There’s a lot of planning to do. I am working out the logistic of having Dignity delivered to Australia, probably Brisbane. I am hoping that Sam will stay on to crew with whoever delivers the boat for us from Fiji. Dignity is our home and we want her safely here and ready for us to move back on to if we can or sell if we have to.
THANK YOU everyone for your comments, good wishes and offers of help. Steve and I really appreciated them. I don’t know what the future holds for us. I guess none of us really do. Given the prognosis we’ve been given, this is probably the end of our wonderful sailing adventure. We have had the most amazing three and half years. We are so lucky and happy to have had this opportunity.
At the end of the our first year sailing, Steve asked me to write a blog summarizing our first years travel which I titled
“One Year On” ( http://aboarddignity.com/blog/?cat=48&paged=2).
The last sentence I wrote was –
“There’s nothing more wonderful than to share the wonders of your adventure with someone you love.”
You know, that is absolutely true.
I love you both xxxxx
Hi Guys,
So now you know what you are facing it will make it possible to focus and look positively to what lies ahead. It is great to see that you appreciate what you have achieved over the last few years so hold on to those fantastic memories and never regret what has happened. Chemo is not the best and I would not like to say how you will react to it as everyone responds in a different way and it also depends on what protocol they follow. What you have in your favour is age and health which has to be a good thing so take each day as it comes. It will be hard but it is only 10 weeks (Robin’s went over 18 weeks) and he responded well also because of his health.
You have managed to do so much more than most people would ever dream of and you have been blessed with each other’s companionship which will only get stronger as you rise to face this new challenge.
As always, we are thinking of you and the family and wish you well with the treatment. My regret is that we have never made it out to see you aboard Dignity but we had our own issues to deal with here. Erin xx
Helen and Steve, JoDon and I wish the two of you all the best during this most difficult period of your lives. We have returned to the U.S. but while in Scarborough Marina (Brisbane) we met a great guy, Michael, who does yacht deliveries: http://www.sailcraft4u.bigpondhosting.com/
I hope this can be a small help and best regards,
Brian Rawls, formerly of El Regalo
Hi Guys
In my experience and from the many other people I have met under treatment, attitude and fight counts for a lot. Steve, I know you are a fighter, I had enough bruises in the dojo, keep that spirit up.
Very best wishes
Robin
We are with you in our thoughts. Some of the best advice I got from a Doctor is “you live thru it”. I know with your positive attitudes the treatment will go smoothly. Best wishes for smooth cruising. Elana and David
Hi Guys
Our thoughts are with you.
Bob & Lynette
SV Sagittarius
Dear Steve, love you and praying for you, stay strong Helen my boy has done some wonderfull awesome things in his life and I know he is going to get through this.
Heaps of love and Prayers Vicky R
Helen and Steve, I just want to tell you how much I have appreciated your sailing blog. My husband (now deceased) and I also own a 420, it is still in charter, Doug is now sailing in other waters beyond, we were never able to live the dream that you have. Take it day by day, do not look too far ahead, whatever happens will happen. Be thankful of the time you have had together, the next weeks will challenge you more than any storm you have encountered, but there is a rainbow at the end. Thank you for living the dream that we all have. I hope it continues for you both. It may not be aboard Dignity, but wherever you are, sail on.
Sorry to hear the news. But knowing what that problem is does mean that you able to now move on and deal with it. You are both very strong people and I know that even though the next few weeks will be very hard with the treatment but you will come out the otherside stronger in yourselves and your relationship. You cant spend everyday togther on a yacht without building a relationship that is different to ours where we are apart for 8 to 9 hours each day. Thinking of you both
Judy
Steve and Helen, sorry it has taken so long to reach a definite conclusion in your case. But, it is a good thing to know what it is you are dealing with. Now you can concentrate on beating this. We wish you the best success in treatment and recovery. Your friends on s/v Tahina, Frank and Karen
My best wishes for a speedy recovery to Steve and hope this doesn’t stop your sailing adventure.
My Catco adventure ended nearly 2 years ago and the BVI adventure ended just over a year ago, when I moved back to Scotland.
Sally and I’s thoughts are with you all at this time and please accept our best wishes.
Almost forgot…the bottle of Glenrothes you bought me when you left Nanny Cay in 2008 was delicious!
Hi steve and Helen, I don’t know what to say, but now you know what you are up against and Steve is a fighter with all the qualities needed to kick this in the butt. Just stay focussed on what you need to do, the rest will work it’s way out. Helen, your love for Steve is incredible and you two have a wonderful relationship; just the thing needed to fight this together. Let me know if I can help from this end. Paul
Steve and Helen, What a kick in the stomach this is–and in the brain as well! Why is that bad things so often happen to the nicest people?! It must be a sort of relief to have the problem identified and treatment laid out. I know from experience how awful it is to lie awake wondering and anticipating terrible things. Always better to be able to start dealing with them in any way we can, even though there will still be very difficult times. I feel so grateful to have gotten to know you both in Grenada! You are special people and have made a big impact on many lives! Please know that all of us who know you will be sending you what ever healing vibrations we can. Peace, comfort, and strength! Diane, S/V Jabulani
Steve, gloves on and come out of your corner punching hard. You’ve got a great ‘second’ who’ll be fighting with you all the way.You might not win in the first round, but you will win.
See you in Aus, either on my boat or yours. Remember, you can’t keep a cat-sailor down!
Steve and Helen, We just heard the bad news and are sending Steve loads of get well vibes,and blueberry juices from Oregon. You are a fighter and a visionary and an inspiration. Helen here’s oodles of hugs and strength to help Steve through this. I know it’s another brutal passage, and we’re hoping that you’ll find the right current and winds to get through it.
Let us know if there is anything we can do … lots of love,
The Kamayans
Shit buggar and cha bee! Its not right or fair Steve but life never is, is it ! Well, if we have learnt one thing from our time together…… this disease has picked on the wrong couple. I have seen it guys, the attitude to fight and not give in, positive stuff! You and Helen have it in spades so coupled with that, Lew and I send you all our support, whatever you need, all our love and best wishes. Hang tough, look after each other and go do battle. Steve, if strength, intelligence, humility , ingenuity generosity and a huge capacity for love and adventure win the race, you’re sorted ! We will follow your journey with every step you choose to share. Much much love Tracey and<Lew