Poet Dennis Evans, 92, has been a Cherry Lodge member since completing treatment for prostate cancer 15 years ago.
The charity has played a hugely important part in my life, and I’ll be eternally grateful. My cancer diagnosis 15 years ago came as a complete shock, and my life was turned upside down.
Two years of intensive treatment was very hard, and I was left struggling financially. Even worse was the isolation. Back then, no-one spoke about prostate cancer, and although the doctors were kind, no support was offered when I’d finished treatment.
But then I heard about Cherry Lodge through a Macmillan nurse, and all that changed. Since then, I’ve received support from Cherry Lodge in many wonderful ways, from financial advice to healing, massage and acupuncture. But perhaps the most important aspect has been the companionship and sense of community.
Much as I enjoy writing poetry, it can be rather solitary, and I can’t overestimate the importance of meeting others who’ve lived through similar experiences at the Drop-In sessions at Cherry Lodge. Everyone is welcome and you can join in conversations or just sit quietly. It sounds so ordinary, but it’s been so important to me, especially since I lost my partner two years ago.
At the time of my diagnosis, my odds weren’t great. But here I am, 15 years later, still enjoying life, thanks – in part at least – to Cherry Lodge.