Weds October 10th 2007
Location: Home, North Wales: Weds 11am
It was with a heavy but excited heart that I waved off Mike and the crew
this morning. Goodbyes are never easy even for a good cause. If I was
honest, I had never wanted Mike to embark on a trip of this nature, so close
to his diagnosis of CLL back in December 2005. On top of that, we had given
birth to our much wanted second son, Evan in January 2007 (brother to Dylan,
aged 3.5), after four gruelling rounds of IVF and personally, I felt the urge
to head back to Wales and baton down the hatches for 12 months or so.
Mike being Mike felt completely the opposite! A naturally positive man at the best of times; since his recovery from CLL (after six round of chemotherapy), Mike is even
more positive! Writing this blog and reflecting upon the last few crazy months, it has caused some friction between us, (more on my part, probably) ; both of us pulling against each other in terms of direction but that's probably why our relationship works. We don't agree for the sake of it! We have been together 21 years next year!
I also felt overwhelmed at the prospect of taking care of Dylan and Evan
alone, whilst running the Alarm Empire back in Wales, whilst Mike was
venturing miles away from us, in pursuit of playing the highest concert in
the world and helping people to see that cancer does not have to be the death
knell.
I only had myself to blame. Back in March 2006, whilst Mike was undergoing
chemotherapy, he announced one day that he would really like to go and play
a one off show in Austin, Texas at the SXSW Festival, (an important date in
the music calendar). I thought he was crazy and after initial consultation
with Mike's doctors and nurses, they agreed with me! Mike could not be moved
however, and felt that this positive step forward would aid his recovery. Who was I to challenge him?
It wasn't me who had cancer afterall, but as his carer, I felt violently opposed to
him putting himself in danger.
There was nothing for it but to put out the feelers to friends and business
acquaintances in Texas with regards to hospital care, should we need it, and within 24 hours, an email from James Chippendale, an insurance executive, arrived. James was a cancer survivor too.
James had been diagnosed a few years ago with AML and had a very SCARY time reclaiming his life after a stem transplant (see www.lovehopestrength.com for the full amazing story on James).
To cut a long story, James met us at Dallas airport, arranged a second opinion with his doctors ( Lance Armstrong’s team) and took care of us 24/7. James and I hit it
off. It helped that not only was he kind; but gorgeous and dynamic too (I had, afterall
been expecting a greying 60 year old insurance executive! :)
Little did I realise what I had ignited. The Peters/Chippendale relationship
became so special through a shared understanding of cancer. James helped Mike and I through such a difficult time and more than anything gave us both Love.
Hope. Strength.
Hey presto. The more we talked about dealing with cancer the more we felt like we wanted to contribute something. One crazy idea was to climb a mountain and symbolise the struggle against cancer. The ideas flew back and forth and over a few beers, it was decided that we would create a foundation to help other people who unfortunately may find themselves faced with a diagnosis of cancer. And so we did.
So far, we've created Empire State Rocks in NYC this April, Snowdon Rocks
this June and here we are on the eve of Everest Rocks.
So back to this evening. I have just spoken to Mike. He is excited. Missing
his boys and me of course but energised for the trip ahead! I'm here in
Wales with both boys sound asleep, looking out on the Vale of Clwyd that
Mike loves so much.
It's hard being apart but if being apart can help other couples from falling
apart amidst a cancer diagnosis then I'm all for it. I feel nervous and a
tad uneasy. I always do when Mike is in flight. It's a little like holding
your breath. I guess I 'll only truly exhale in 21 days time.