There is no doubt that Jane Tomlinson was an extraordinary woman. She was 
told she had only six months left to live, but miraculously survived for seven years, raising £1.75 million for cancer charities, taking on challenges that many healthy people could never manage, including running three London marathons. She sadly died on Monday aged 43.
While the press has paid a much deserved eulogy to the inspirational woman, I feel we should remember the unsung heroes – her family, who tirelessly nursed her through her bad days and relapses, encouraged her when feeling low, joining alongside her too – and, most importantly, giving her the reason to continue wanting to live for as long as possible. Only last year, she cycled from San Francisco to New York and her husband, Mike, blogged about it.
It made me wonder what you would want to do if told you only had six months left to live. I used to feel that there were so many beautiful places in the world I would want to visit. How could I die without seeing the awesome wonders of the Taj Mahal, scuba diving in the Red Sea, or even better, the great Barrier Reef, as well as walking the Pembrokeshire coast, visiting Dylan Thomas’ birthplace or listening to Mozart being played in Vienna or Prague?
Who can tell how we would react in these circumstances? I imagine I would want my family to continue living a normal and happy life and not feel burdened by me. I’m sure I would continue writing my blog and using it to raise awareness – and money too.
What do you think you would want to do?
Not sure I could answer that
without censorship
But always remember,
your last six months could turn into 15 years
But please please, anything but misery or pain
Q9, good answer.
I was so sorry to hear that she had died. She fought such a brave battle and thought of others even in her own despair. Her family were brave too, as you say.
My main worry would be about my dog, Simi if I knew I was going to die: how would she cope with someone else? I think of it often. Now that I’m in the country I have always loved I feel at least I have done that, but maybe I’d want one more look at Florence – and Agrigento.
I would go down the pub – personally…would you come with me?
6 months? ” In the midst of life we are in death” ( or words to that effect….)
I remember sitting in my oncologists surgery when he looked at my test results and he said:- “You are in the highest 2% risk for cancer. With treatment each week we will get you to 50 years of age. After that there is no certainty”
I sat dumbstruck. I ate prperly, exercised regularly, did not smoke nor drink to excess.
I have watched ( and felt) my body fall to bits and I cannot do what I used to do.
So what do I do? I live everyday as if its the last remaining piece of chocolate I will ever have.
I was told to stop work- I did not.
I was told to stop riding my bike- I did not.
I am still “flying” much to my doctors amazement.
:o)
So If i was told that I had 6 months I would not chnage a thing, except spend more time with those I love.
Simon, That’s good to hear, doctor’s are not always right. People are more important than places at the end of the end of the day.
Mutley, of course I will join you for a drink, but let’s hope it’s a long way off if we are waiting for your last six months.
And Q9, just a thought, I wondered if you might book a trip into space on one of Branson’s tourist flights, or certainly th Northern Lights.
My thoughts are the same as Simon….I would not change a thing, except spend more time with those I love.
Sally, I’ve travelled so little, there are so many places I want to visit, so many experiences to embrace, but it’s true that being with loved ones is all that matters at the end of the day.
I think most of us would carry on as usual, because we wouldn’t want to believe it. Jane certainly put the lie to her 6 months’ sentence and made every second of her life from then on count. Her family should be very proud of her.
regards
jmb
…I imagine I would want my family to continue living a normal and happy life and not feel burdened by me…
You may feel that way, Ellee but it never works out that way in reality and a certain amount of “burden” is borne by every family as a matter of course.