Just a few years ago our Christmas update letters would be very much work-focused; the year falling into a familiar pattern with long hours and seasonal busy periods, punctuated with odd days off to recover and catch-up with chores. It seems unimaginable to say that there has been a positive side to John’s diagnosis, but it has made us completely re-evaluate our life and priorities, and we now fully embrace the old cliché of ‘live life to the full’. Being given a 4-5 year prognosis certainly makes you realise that there is no time to lose, and definitely no time to waste being miserable or negative. John continues to feel well, and is monitored at 3-monthly oncologist check-ups. The PSA level (an indicator of prostate cancer spread) has begun to gradually creep up, but this is to be expected.
There are other treatments that can be introduced as and when needed, and there continue to be positive outcomes with clinical trials which are yet to be introduced as standard treatments. We do get anxious just before each oncologist appointment and have found that the best way to deal with this is to treat ourselves to a holiday!
In April we had the most amazing trip to a very remote Maldivian island called Amari Havodda. The island is located almost on the equator, and is accessed by an hours internal flight (following a 12 hour flight from the UK), then a 15 minute speedboat transfer. The long haul to get there is so worth it—the island is pristine and peaceful with impeccable service, food and facilities.
We really enjoy snorkeling in the Maldives, and had toyed with the idea of learning to dive, so in the summer we signed up to do our PADI open water diving qualification. We completed quite a hefty home study theory course, and 2 days of confined water instruction in Ipswich. In October we travelled to Maui, Hawaii to complete 2 days of open water training (strangely this was more appealing that doing this part of the training in a flooded quarry in Leicestershire as suggested by the dive center). The training (especially the theory) was quite hard going, but as soon as we jumped off the boat at the Molokini Crater and saw the crystal-clear water many metres below us, it was all worth while. We dived to nearly 19 meters and loved the experience.
We were genuinely pleased with ourselves when we qualified, and now can’t wait to explore more beautiful underwater locations. Our Maui holiday was spent with John’s brother Bill, and wife Emmanuelle. We had a fantastic time and loved meeting up with Jamie and Juliette (John’s younger brother and wife), and extended family, and getting out and about to explore the island that we have heard so much about over the years. We hadn’t appreciated how diverse the landscape is—beaches, rainforests, jungles, volcanoes and old sugar cane plantations. So much to do and experience.
In May we spent a week with our good friends Maurice and Gary in a
beautiful cottage in a very remote location on the Applecross Peninsular
on the West Coast of Scotland. The area was truly stunning—vast,
unspoiled and breathtaking. We experienced some fabulous sunsets from
the cottage, looking out across the bay.
During the year we have also had short breaks to The Cotswolds, Somerset, Cardiff, Shropshire and Oxfordshire.
Work: John is doing bits and bobs for 3 local companies. Me: I have now reduced my hours and work 4 days a week. Do you get the message that priorities have changed?
We continue to update the blog every few months: johnandbim.thebethams.com to recap on events and keep people up to date. Dip in during the year if you’d like an update.
So, in summary: it’s been a jolly good year for us. On the cards so far for 2020: Madeira in January for John’s birthday, and The Maldives in April… just because…..it’s amazing and there are fish that need to be looked at!
Live life to the full, lovely people!!
With love and best wishes to you at Christmas, and for a happy and healthy 2020.
Bim & John
