To sail or not to sail
Well, I’ve had my introduction to the world of sailing and in the words of Janice from friends….”OH MY GOD!”
I don’t think I’ve ever done anything as physical as I have done over the past 4 days. My shins hurt, my knees hurt and my shoulders and arms feel like I’ve just gone 12 rounds with Mike Tyson.
The good news is that there was no vomiting and the team are definitely the kind of people I wouldn’t mind being lost at sea with. Such lovely people who really looked after me this week and made me feel part of the team. Ross, our captain is unbelievable and knows exactly what is going on at all times.
We set sail from Hamble to beautiful Dartmouth on Tuesday evening and arrived at around 7am on the Wednesday. We did three hour shifts so luckily I had the 9pm to 12am shift and then was back up at 6am so I got to have a few hours sleep. I didn’t really do anything during my shift, I just chatted to Lisa and Ross.
It was such a strange experience sailing in complete darkness. You literally can’t see anything in front of you. Lisa has done the transatlantic before and she was telling me that the sky is just littered with stars when out on the Atlantic. I’m so excited to experience this for myself next year.
We have now just finished our second day of ‘in shore’ racing at the Dartmouth regatta where we did pretty well finishing in the top 5 in all four races.
I must confess, I had a severe rethink about being involved in his challenge on Tuesday night. I didn’t understand anything anyone was talking about. I don’t even know the basics about sailing. There were words like, tac, spinnaker, hike…I literally had no idea and they are not even terms you could guess either.
Also, on the Tuesday night I felt really sick. As soon as I went below deck to sleep I started to feel pretty rubbish. I’m not good at feeling physically sick. The worst part of my cancer as a child was that I was sick all the time during my chemo and radio therapy. If I’m sick I find it hard to do anything else.
When we arrived in Dartmouth I was thinking that maybe I’m not cut out for this but then I saw a boat called ‘Trout’ and then the boat we moored up next to was called ‘Yes’. More signs that I should do this?… Oh yes!:)
The racing was just crazy. I couldn’t believe how physical it was. I was on winching duty which means I winched in the sail in so it kept relatively taught and stopped it from collapsing too much….I think that’s what it did anyway.
My upper body muscles have never done anything like that before. I ran out of puff a few times and I got to the point I couldn’t turn it anymore which can affect the overall speed of the boat. The gang all said i did well but I think they were just being nice. Im really going to have to bulk up and work on my core strength for next year. Weights and protein here I come.
You also have to climb and run over to each side of the boat every time you turn which after some winching and when he boat is in it’s side is like trying to climb Everest after a marathon.
Kirsty saw me flagging and immediately told me to have a rest. We laughed afterwards as I could barely speak when she was asking me questions.
I only had a bowl of cereal for breakfast that day but today I went all out with cereal, banana, a double egg bap (please don’t judge me) and a cereal bar. I was still knackered but at least I could speak today!:)
My mum and dad came to pick me up today and got to meet everyone and see the Scarlet Oyster. They really don’t want me to do the transatlantic race but I think now they’ve seen the boat and met the gang they are feeling a bit better about it.
I feel sore and absolutely shattered right now. We stopped to get a coffee and as I struggled out of the car my mum looked at me and said “I think this is too hard for you son”. I replied “but that’s what this is all about mum, because if I can do it then everyone else can too”.
So it’s strength work, practice, a copy of the ‘dummies guide to sailing’ and I’ll be sound as a pound!:)
X
Captain 101 ahoy!
Well here we go! The first sail with the crew of the Scarlet Oyster. Currently debating at what point to tell them I suffer from sea sickness. I’m sure they’ll figure out themselves…. probably after or during lunch!:)
So it’s a night time sail to Dartmouth until Friday and then I’ve got to rush up to Cheshire on Friday night for the wedding (and best man speech) of the century on Saturday. Then on Sunday I will nip down the road and become of the godfather of beautiful little Eleanor Rankin.
What a crazy week. And to think I didn’t even want to leave the house not long ago. I never seem to be home now!:)
I am of course super nervous about all these things but I guess that’s what makes them so exciting!
So here we go! All aboard the Scarlet Oyster!
X
Stress, anxiety, and the ‘Look’
Yesterday my mum told me, quite sternly, to stop frowning and that I had ‘that look’ again. I Immediately knew what look she was talking about. It’s the same look I had a couple of years ago when I thought my world was falling apart. It’s the same look my ex girlfriend would try and make disappear by placing her finger on my furrowed brow and tell me to stop worrying. I’ve never really seen this look but I know the feelings which come with it very well. My old foes stress and anxiety.
A month or so before I came home I noticed that a little area of eczema had returned to the left side of my face. I suffered from eczema on my face and body during my worst period with PTSD but it had been gone for a good 18 months now. Eczema is one of the ways my anxiety manifested itself. I didn’t understand why it had come back. I felt happy and I didn’t feel anxious but clearly I was and until now I couldn’t figure out why.
My mum told me about the look whilst I was sat in the dining room sitting at my computer trying to write a governing document so I can start up a 101 charity. Since I’ve been back things have been a bit crazy. Lots of things are going on which are all absolutely amazing but I’ve found myself becoming a bit overwhelmed by them all.
My mum is right to be frustrated with me. She wants nothing more than for me to be happy. I’ve just recovered from cancer for the second time so why am I getting stressed over these kind of things. She just heard me give a presentation to people about how I am trying to live in the present and be grateful for all the things I have in this moment. Emphasis on the word ‘trying’. It’s a lot harder than it seems.
It was only yesterday I think I figured out why my eczema had returned once I knew I was coming home. For a while I banged on about being ‘cured’ of PTSD but I realised half way through my trip that I was still very much a work in progress. When I knew I was coming home I think subconsciously I was worried I would get home and that I would return to being the same worry filled individual I was before I left. Was this trip just a distraction from the way I might feel for the rest of my life? I am determined to not let that happen.
This post started out as just me trying to make sense of my feelings by putting them down my feelings on paper but I’ve adapted into a blog post now. Ive had emails from people asking what it is that makes me stay so positive all the time. I may seem to have it all figured out but I don’t. I’m still learning but I’m getting there. I still have a lot of work to do but I can control anxiety a lot better now but they are still there and occasionally they try and take over. My mind works overtime which more often than not is a complete nightmare.
I don’t want ‘the look’ and the feelings that come with it back. I am determined to make the happiness and simple stress free life I have had on my trip a permanent feature of my life. I know only too well that all these stresses only exist in my mind.
I think what worries the most is the fact I’m worried about it! Ha! What am I like?!:)
As I write this I’m sat in the back of the car driving home with my parents after a lovely day with friends. There is a beautiful sunset directly in front of us, Marvin Gaye has just come on the radio and in this very moment all is well. I’m safe, I’m healthy and I’m happy. Hopefully one day I can stop telling myself these things and just believe it.
Life is good.
X
(I’m not sure this photo is ‘the look’ by the way. I just set the timer on the camera and carried on typing. I think ‘the look’ looks more like a Klingon from Star Trek. More frowning and wrinkles:)
4 year all clear and the Atlantic Ocean
The results are in and it has now been four years since I was diagnosed with bowel cancer and I’m still cancer free! Boom!
Many of you will know what it’s like to go for those monthly and yearly check ups. I compare these check ups to standing on a fence where one side leads to the bottom of a very deep canyon and the other side leads to a little table with a pen and a piece of paper with a heading that simply says ‘things to do’.
I’m now off the fence and sitting at that very table with pen in hand and adding something to that list. That thing is to sail across the Atlantic Ocean in 2015! Yikes!
That lovely woman in the picture is the person who has gotten me into this madness!:) Her name is Kirsty and she contacted me a while ago to see if she could help me do some sailing. Kirsty lost her mum to cancer 3 years ago and found my website through our beautiful mutual friend Lisa who I used to work with.
It turns out that Lisa and Kirsty are part of a crew to sail across the Atlantic next year in the Transatlantic Race from the US to the UK and they asked if I would like to join them.
After weeks of emails and Skype conversations I got to meet Kirsty on Sunday before I caught train back to my folks house. Kirsty and I connected immediately in emails and it was lovely to also do the same in person.
I’ve never really sailed before and the organiser is slightly concerned that 2.5 weeks at sea may not be for me.
We had a chat on the phone the other day and he expressed his concern that I need to be sure what I’m letting myself in for. He said that he didn’t want it to be just another ‘notch on my bedpost’ and that I would need to do it for the right reasons.
I have many reasons for wanting to do this. The main one is that I want to prove to myself that I can do it because if I do complete this then it is yet another challenge where I can tell myself and others living with serious illness that anything is possible.
The second reason is that it is to raise money for a wonderful cause. The Ellen MacArthur cancer trust takes young people aged 8-24 out sailing to help them rebuild their confidence on their way to recovery from cancer. Much like the hole in the wall gang it also aims to bring young people who have had similar experiences together in a fun and safe environment where their troubles can be left behind for a few days.
The third reason is that I want to experience what it feels like in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean when I take over my shift at 3 o’clock in morning. What does the air smell like, how bright do those beautiful stars shine, how do the waves sound when you are so far away from land? I want to find out these things more than anything now.
In my former life I was a Crime Investigator for the metropolitan police. When there I set up an initiative called Project Scarlet and as a result my pals called me Captain Scarlet. The boat I’ll be sailing in is called the Scarlet Oyster! Surely another sign that I should do this…no?!:)
The next few weeks are now going to be spent hopping on and off different boats so I can get some sailing experience before I leave for Australia next month.
It will also give me the opportunity to see if I have the sea legs for a 2.5 week race or not. With a name like Trout surely I’ll be an expert!:)
So with the 4 year all clear in the bag and permission received from my doctors! It’s full sail ahead!
I’m feeling eternally grateful to still be here and to even contemplate a future let alone one which involves such an epic challenge such as this. For those of you who are not well at the moment, you’re time with that pen and paper is coming so get thinking about your list now!
X
My first 101 talk
A huge thank you to the wonderful RSPCA for inviting me to speak at their inspiration conference today. I was immensely honoured to be there. This was the first time I’d delivered a presentation about my experiences with cancer, post traumatic stress disorder and of course 101 Things to Do When You Survive. It was lovely to be able to express my message of hope to you all in person.
When I ran through it last night in front of my parents and their friends I welled up in a few parts but I held it together pretty well today and it was because of your lovely smiley faces. Thank you all so much.
A massive thank you to my dad for coming with me too. It was amazing to have him their supporting me. He told me he was proud so a wonderful day all round.
Hope you all enjoyed my impression of a Cockerel! I’ll make sure I perform it again for everyone when we all meet on Richmond Hill next year!:)
X
My wonderful week in London
I’m currently doing one my favourite things which is sitting in a coffee shop and watching the world go by… in the rain! I’m off back to my parents house tonight after a wonderful week in London. It’s been a bit hectic and I’m actually Looking forward to just getting in the train and having a snooze.
I’ve had some exciting meetings which I hope will lead to great things not just for me but for lots of other people. I’m going to tell you about them next week.
I also got to spend time with my superhero brother and his wonderful wife, I met up with good friends and met their little ones, I met some pals from my volunteering days with Raleigh International and I also had my 6 month check up on Friday which was by far the best check up day I’ve ever had. I laughed more than I worried which is always a good thing. I get the results next week so I’m already getting ready to write…4 YEARS ALL CLEAR!!
Dr Hannah Cohen
The first picture in this little batch is of me with my beautiful haematology doctor Dr Hannah Cohen. Hannah is the person that helped save my life, although she would never admit that. Hannah is the Dr who monitors my INR levels which pretty much means the thickness of my blood. As I have a clot I need to keep it thin so it can pass through smaller veins to get to my heart.
In 2010 and after months of feeling increasingly more tired which others said was down to ‘being 30’, I saw Hannah for a routine appointment and she said
“right Greig, this isn’t good enough we need to sort this out”
and with that she was straight on the phone ordering every test possible. A camera up the bum later and the problem was identified. Without her demanding all these urgent tests, goodness knows how long it would have before I’d figured what was wrong with me.
Along with Sir Professor Alan Craft who was my doctor as a child, she is worshipped by the Trouts. It was so lovely to see her and give her a big hug from a new and improved Greig.
Gemma
My beautiful cousin Gemma. Gemma is a specialist nurse for the leukaemia unit the hospital I was treated at in London. Gemma became a nurse because she saw how amazing the nurses were that looked after me as a child and was completely inspired. Ever since it is all she wanted to do. Not to be biased but she is the most caring, loving and efficient nurse out there. Check up days mean I get to steal her away for a cuddle and hot chocolate.
Hot chocolate
Compulsory check up hot chocolate! 🙂
Marie and Hilary
These two cheeky characters are my haematology nurses, Marie and Hilary. They are constantly chasing me around the world asking for my blood results. I self check with a clever little machine and I’m meant to email them the results every few weeks but every now and again I need a little reminder!:) My emails to them often start with ‘I’m so sorry for the delay…” Ha! Love you guys. X
Rose
This is a rubbish picture as every time I tried to take it Rose kept hiding! This is (part) of Rose. Rose has been taking my blood for years. What I love about Rose is that she always says it how it is. If you look bad she’ll tell you, if you’re too skinny she’ll tell you! It was lovely that this time round she said that I looked really well because I knew she meant it. She also said I was too skinny but I chose to ignore that!:)
My lovely gang
Some of my lovely gang. I’ve missed them beyond words so it was so lovely to catch up with them and meet the new little recruits. They also kindly showed me how to the 101 pose properly!:) X
Pals from Raleigh International
My pals from Raleigh International. I started my trip volunteering with Raleigh International. For 3 months I worked with amazing people on Environmental and Community projects in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. This was one of the best things I’ve done on my trip so far and to make such great friends in the process was the best bonus ever.
So all in all a great trip to my old haunt that is London. Mum’s home cooking awaits..lovely jubbley!
X
Back in beautiful London
I’ve just got back to London for the week after some serious R+R with my folks in sunny Chipping Sodbury in the West Country! As well as R+R there have also been some serious debates with my Dad about who has access to the TV remote!:) My line of “dad, I’ve been away for a year” didn’t seem to work as well as I’d hoped!:)
I’ve got some very exciting meetings coming up this week as well as my (almost) 4 year check up on Friday. I’ve brought it forward by a month so I get a top to toe service and get the go ahead to push my body even more on the next part of my trip!
Best of all I get to see my brother and his wife and also get to meet up with my pals and meet the new little recruits in our gang!
I’ve also got to get a move on and figure what on earth I’m doing on the next part of my trip. I’ve got a rough idea but I think a flight there might help!
Being home has also made me realise how few clothes I actually own anymore. I gave a lot to charity when I moved out of my flat but may have given them one bag too many! Oops! Don’t be surprised if you see me wearing the same things I’ve been wearing for the past year or so!
I think the strangest sensation about being home is that i am now wearing clean underwear on a daily basis! I only took 5 paris with me on my trip so there may have times when I wore the same ones…for 2 or 3 days! I went to put on an old pair of underpants today and suddenly realised that I had at least 10 pairs of clean ones in a DRAWER (luxury) and a access to a washing machine (my mum).
It’s great to be in London Town…and what do you know..there’s a signal failure on the district line! Ha! I guess some things never change!:)
X
(I just loved the expression of the guy I asked to take this photo. He looked at me as if to say…..”bloody tourists”…little did he know that I’ve actually been a tourist for the past 13.5 months..why change now! 🙂
The return to Richmond Hill… and an invitation!
Richmond Hill is my most favourite place in London. The view is absolutely beautiful and it’s just a stones throw from the magical Richmond park where the deer run around completely oblivious to the fact they are in one of the biggest cities in the world.
During and after my fight with bowel cancer, Richmond Hill was both my favourite place but also my nemesis.
I could never get to the top without having to stop 2 or 3 times. I found it so difficult that I would be out of breath and be as white as a sheet once I got to the top. 6 months after my chemo finished I was still the same and I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t getting any fitter.
The reason I discovered I had bowel cancer was because I was progressively getting more and more tired. As a result I associated tiredness with cancer.
This hill constantly reminded me that I wasn’t well. I used have to walk up the hill quite often as my brother and his wife lived at the top. I would often go to the top just to sit on a bench and watch the sun go down. I was so lucky to live there during my illness as I found being around nature so therapeutic. As I started to feel better I would often do this with a cup of hot chocolate. Probably one of my most favourite things in the world.
I just couldn’t understand how after 6 months after I finished chemo and supposedly being ‘cancer free’ I still couldn’t walk up this hill without having to stop. I’d read books about people doing marathons and tough guy events during and not long after chemotherapy so I couldn’t understand how I couldn’t walk up a small hill.
Just before my TV interview on Wednesday my mum and I took a walk up Richmond hill. Because I was with my mum we were chatting and before we knew it we were at the top. I even had to slow down so mum could catch up. The amazing thing was that I didn’t even feel like I was walking up a hill. It just felt flat and easy.
The reason I share this story is that a couple of years ago I was convinced I would never get my energy back and now I’m off climbing volcanoes and riding across American states. I couldn’t even dream of doing that a couple of years ago.
If you have had an operation or have recently been through chemo then please know that your energy and strength will come back, I promise you. It may seem like it will never return but it will, it just takes time.
Please don’t do what I did and beat yourself up about it. I was so frustrated with myself when I eventually got to the top of the hill because I was convinced my body was weak and annoyed that I had turned into a tired old man way too early in my life.
All my body needed was more time to heal and recover from a major operation and what is without doubt the nastiest medication in the world, chemotherapy.
There was a time I used to look at mountains and think WOW, I wish I could climb that. Now I look at mountains and think, Wow…I wonder how long it would take me to climb that!:)
You’ll be thinking the exact same thing soon!
An invitation
Thing #62 on my list is to return to the UK in September 2015 when my trip is finished and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate on Richmond Hill whilst watching the sun go down.
A while back I invited you all to join me for what is one of the most special Things on my list. With you guys there to share it with it will make it the most wonderful experience ever.
I can’t wait to meet you all and walk to the top of that hill together where we will sit back with a hot choccie and be grateful for all that we have in that very moment. Maybe we can even start making a new list together!;)
I can’t wait to see you all there in 2015!
X
The sun sets on 13.5 months of adventure
I write this post sitting on a train to Newark airport in New York to get a flight home to the UK after almost 14 months of travelling. I don’t know why but I can’t quite believe I’m going home.
Someone asked me the other day where I lived and I said London but then afterwards I realised I don’t actually have a home there anymore. Home for me has always been where my parents are. They could move house tomorrow to a place I’ve never been before and I would still refer to it as home. I’m so excited to spend some time with them. I can’t wait to get one of my dad’s big papa bear hugs and I’m looking forward to sitting in the kitchen with my mum drinking cups of tea and eating sandwiches with the crusts cut off.
I’ve had the most wonderful time over the past 13.5 months. When I prepared my slide show for the kids at the school I gave a talk at in Las Vegas I couldn’t quite believe that it was me that had done all those things.
When I say ‘me’ I’m talking about the guy who just a few years ago was consumed by fear and dislike for the life he had been dealt, the introvert who gets nervous talking to people and the guy who’s idea of adventure was whether or not to have more than one cup of coffee in the day.
Travelling is such a strange thing for a person like me. I’ve had as many lows as I’ve had highs. I’ve laughed, cried, felt lonely, felt overcrowded, felt tired, felt alive, felt invincible and experienced happiness that I thought only existed in the movies.
When in my hospital bed in 2010 I had regrets about the way I had lived my life. When faced with the prospect of death my thoughts were of the places I had been and people I had met. My achievements at work were not things that entered my thoughts when I thought about my life. I also thought of the places I had always wanted to see and may now never get a chance to see. I worried that I had not exploited the years in between my illnesses where I was healthy and fit and that maybe my twenties were the best my life would ever be.
Unfortunately I don’t believe cancer and I are finished with each other yet. I’m sorry if this seems negative but it’s how I feel. When I was getting better I wanted to be sure that if cancer did ever rear it’s ugly head again I would this time be armed with all these amazing experiences and memories that I could go to when times got hard. I wanted to have no regrets about the way I had lived my life, I wanted to be able to say that I grabbed life by the balls and exploited it for it was worth but most of all I just wanted to feel happy.
People often refer to how ‘lucky’ I am to be doing what I’m doing. From a health perspective I am very lucky but with regards to this trip I made this happen. There was a time I would agree with the people that said this but then I realised that if I agreed with them it would mean that everything I have accomplished would be down to luck which would mean that others would never get the chance to do the things I’m doing.
There is an old Chinese proverb that says “luck is the place where opportunity and planning meet”. I totally agree with this statement. I made this trip happen, I saved, I planned and I took a chance and bought that plane ticket to Costa Rica last June. None of those things were down to luck.
People have brought up the issue of money a number of times. First things first, travelling can be very cheap. I’ve spent half of what I would have spent on a years rent and bills in London. I still can’t believe how little I’ve spent on this trip.
The reason I tell you this is because I want you to believe you can achieve your dreams whatever they may be. I didn’t sit around waiting for happiness to find me, I got out there and found it for myself. You can do the same and I want nothing more than for you to find your happiness and enjoy life. There is a way through the dark times. You WILL get your energy back after chemotherapy, you will be happy again and you can beat this horrible disease we call cancer.
I still think about cancer every day. I can’t help it. I think it will always be with me but the only difference between the Greig 2 years ago and the Greig now is that I can now turn my thoughts to positive ones. Instead of feeling sorry for myself and living in fear I now feel eternally grateful on a daily basis. I use my experiences with cancer to make me realise how lucky I am to still be here and that every passing moment is one to be cherished.
I have no idea how many of my the things on my list I have achieved over the past 13 months and if anything I’m simply using that list as a guideline of where I’m going now. The journey itself has been the thing that has meant the most to me.
The things I have enjoyed most are the things that have helped others. The volunteering, the head shave, the bike ride and the emails and comments I receive from you guys about how my story has helped you. They are the things that I will remember most if I ever end up in a hospital bed again.
Thank you so much to you all for joining me on this journey i’m on. You really have made it so much more than it would have been without you.
Keep fighting, keep believing and remember that life truly is a roller coaster. There are ups, downs, scary bits and bits that take your breath away with excitement and joy.
I’ll finish my final post from the Americas with a quote that I try to live my life by:-
“Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today”
James Dean
X
(This photo was taken Idaho. No filters no tweaking, just natural beauty. This is what our world looks like when we are not fighting and dropping bombs on one another)
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
I’ve just finished my weeks volunteering at the most wonderful place I think I’ve ever been. When I sit down to write I can usually fill the page with all the feelings and emotions I have experienced in a matter of minutes but I’m honestly struggling to find the words to do this wonderful camp justice.
As you already know this is a camp for seriously ill children and the reason I came to the states. I’d heard so much about this camp before and during my time in the states and everyone I met spoke about it in such a passionate and inspiring way.
This place was even better and even more magical than I could have ever hoped for.
I volunteered in session 6 of the summer program which was the session for children with sickle cell disease. I was placed in a cabin of 8-10 years olds who were the funniest and loveliest bunch of characters I’ve ever met. They were also exhausting! I don’t think I’ve ever given as many piggy back rides in all my life and I also didn’t realise that children run…everywhere!:)
The camp offers week long sessions for children with various serious medical conditions including HIV, cancer and Sickle cell. I knew very little about Sickle cell disease before being told that that was the session I was assigned to. If I’m honest I had hoped for a session with children with cancer as that’s kind of my speciality but I am now so glad I was involved in this session. I intentionally left the word ‘cancer’ out of the name 101 Things to Do When You Survive because I wanted it to be for anyone who was going through a difficult time in their life, not just those with cancer. This gave me an opportunity to learn about another serious disease and the brave people who battle it on a daily basis.
Sickle cell disease is a hereditary blood disorder where red blood cells assume an abnormal, rigid, sickle shape. This makes blood flow difficult and can result in various acute and chronic complications which and can result in a shorter life expectancy.
One of the main issues of sickle cell disease occurs when the kids get cold and the bloods flow is disrupted. Most swimming pools are too cold for the kids to swim in but the camp’s pool is heated to a temperature which allows the kids to swim safely without getting too cold. For many of these kids it’s the only time they get to swim and I wish you could have seen their faces when they were in the pool. They absolutely loved it and many wanted to be in the pool everyday. If the kids get cold there is a little hut called the ‘fryer’ which is heated up so they can warm up fast.
The camp really is a safe haven for these kids to play, have fun, make friends and be loved and accepted. They are surrounded by other children who are going through the same things as them and they have the most amazing counsellors who take care of them during their stay. The camp also has an Infirmary which is staffed by amazing doctors and nurses who ensure that the kids are safe and well looked after.
The counsellors at this camp are out of this world. Their job is to ensure that the kids have the best time possible and learned so much from them all. They work their socks off and the kids absolutely adore them.
One night I was woken up by one of the kids having a sickle ‘crises’ in which they were experiencing severe pain in their back. I got up and called the infirmary and within minutes all my fellow counsellors were up and making sure that this child knew that we were all there for him and that everything was going to be ok. It was so lovely to see. A few minutes later one of the nurses arrived and gave him some medication and I sat rubbing his back until he fell asleep. It reminded me of when my mum would rub my back when I was having chemo when I was little. The little boy thanked me for making him feel better the next day which was the best feeling ever.
These counsellors are truly wonderful. They work at camp for the entire summer and I was in absolute awe of them. Some of the counsellors are former campers and they are now inspiring the kids they used to be. Each one of them saying that camp changed their life.
I would have loved this place when I was ill as a child but if I’m honest I think I would have loved it more when I was ill as an adult. A place to have fun, learn to love one another and forget your worries. Now that’s the world I want to live in.
I have so much I want to say about my experience at camp but I’m going to save it for when I have some pictures to show you as well. As you can imagine it is camp policy not to share pictures of the children on social media sites but I’ve been given some authorised photos to use which I plan to share with you all when I get home.
I leave the states tomorrow with a full heart, new pals and a lifetime worth of memories. This was a wonderful way to say goodbye to the states and sign off the first year of my trip. Thank you to Hole in the Wall for having me at their wonderful camp and keep up the amazing work!
X
