While the world is abuzz with the engagement news of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, I’m thrilled to share my own personal milestone. It’s something I never envisioned happening again since my diagnosis with incurable bowel cancer in the summer of 2023. Due to the risks associated with food poisoning and infections, I was advised against it. Yet, just a week ago, I savored a plate of lobster and chips—leaving nothing behind except the shell and the salad, naturally.
The joy I experienced was akin to a prisoner’s euphoria upon release, finally reuniting with family after years behind daunting bars. It was also a relief reminiscent of a smoker relishing their first cigarette after a grueling long-haul flight to Australia.
Living with cancer, you become accustomed to receiving a range of advice from both medical professionals and well-meaning individuals.
Nevertheless, “avoid shellfish” was the one caution unanimously given by healthcare providers before I began chemotherapy. With my compromised immune system, consuming a questionable clam or prawn could result in days bedridden with food poisoning.
However, noticing prawn cocktail as a regular starter option during my recent hospital stay, I consulted with my doctor about shellfish consumption. The response brought me joy akin to the happiness of Travis Kelce’s mother when Taylor accepted his proposal.
Dealing with cancer is financially burdensome, so my usual meals consist more of ground meat and chicken thighs rather than seafood delicacies. So, when my parents treated us to lobsters during our last visit, it was a delightful indulgence.
They were also the people who paid for me to have my final lobster before I started chemotherapy in 2023. And for anyone saying “lobster doesn’t taste that great, what’s the big deal?” – it is delicious, but it’s much more than that.
It’s about what the exoskeletal creature represents. Cancer has taken so much away from my life, not least a future and ripped away opportunities to have fun and make a difference to society. In place of these things it has given me osteoperosis and the prospect of an early death.
So, for me, holding a massive knife in my hand to split the lobster’s shell in two, was kind of like saying “f*** you” to cancer. It will beat me eventually but it hasn’t beaten me yet. I can do things again that I didn’t think would be possible.
And I realise I need help to be able to do them. This includes succeeding with the Daily Express’s Cancer Care campaign.
We want all cancer patients to have access to mental health support both during and after treatment and we need your help to tell the Government and the NHS to ensure hospitals are providing this.
Please sign the petition, and tell your friends and family to do it too, to help improve millions of lives both now and in the future.
