Before And After

Jo had been married a number of times to different people . Each time the relationship finished she just went and got another . She wore her partners like old clothes , discarding them when they didn't feel right .

Jo was not one for wasting words and always spoke her mind . Most of the men inn her life didn't stay around for more than a year .

Jo kept herself amused by telling stories and even boasting about how many failed relationships she had .

After they told her she had breast cancer , things changed .Life was over for her .

She began to pack things away in boxes and give them away to charities .

In her thinking , things could never resume back to normal .

What ever normal was and used to be , life for her could never be the same again . She already had post trauma syndrome before the actual effect had occurred .

It was mentioned that the cancer could be removed and she could even recover from the disease . But she never actually heard all that .

There were even therapy groups and a support network .

It was when Bob started to visit her that she experienced hope .

Bob worked as a volunteer for a church group connected to one of the cancer council groups in the area .

Bob had himself recovered from a cancer and made a promise to help as many people as possible .

Jo's case became apparent to Bob immediately after she applied for some home help and brochures from community health team .

Bob contacted Jo and arranged for a home visit .

The purpose of Bob's visit was basically for emotional and on going cognitive therapy support .

Jo was trapped within a prison called depression that would not allow her release . Bob broke her out and they both became refugees from this a war that had been waged by cancer on millions of lives all over the world .

Some of the victims of cancer had already begun to rebuild their shattered lives . Bob encouraged Jo to do the same .

What she had now in her life was more than a partner in her life . Bon was a person who cared for her in a way that no one had ever done before .

Jo was now aware she was becoming involved in a relationship that she had never known before .

Bob had emerged as a warrior on her battle field .

Bob moved in and they fell in love .

It was magic .

Three months after her diagnosis not only had Jo accepted the cancer in her life , but also a man called Bob who wanted to help her and be with her in every thing she was going through .

Now at last Jo accepted her disease and then she found the grace and courage to change how it would effect her .

Bob was there every step of the way with Jo . Reassuring and comforting her .

Within a year of Bob coming into her life ,Jo gave birth to a beautiful baby girl called Candida who was the light of their lives .

This child gave Jo another reason to live and another reason to believe .

Candida often helped calm Jo's angry outbursts .

Some days when Jo flew off the handle Candida triggered a screaming response but usually babies get their way .

Meanwhile Bob continued to work extra hours at the only job he could find which was selling fruit at the markets for a large produce farmer .

He worked six days a week and Jo stayed at home looking after Candida .

With radiation treatment beckoning Bob had to leave his job to be there in the home for Jo .

Soon after Jo begun the treatment she started to loose her hair .

Bob was right there to look after things .

Jo found it hard to cope with new behaviour patterns but Bob understood because he at one time suffered the very same problem .

When Jo began to argue he reminded her that they were going through this together and that usually worked .

Candida was also another reason for Jo to remain sane .

Jo and Bob had been together now for about two years and things were changing for the better .

Finally the cancer was in remission and Jo was beginning to emerge on the other side of the darl tunnel . She started to take an interest again in fashion and music .

Bob had made a big impact on her life .

Everyone who knew Jo and Bob said that never before had they seen two people so brave and very much in love .

Jo's breast cancer was now gone for once and all . It was out of her life completely and the war was over ..

Victory over cancer became a real fact and she joined the ranks of many other people who found peace again in life .

Jo and Bob kept isolated their memories of that war .

Even though it had ended , sometimes the threat of it returning again visited their heads , almost like a noose .

But positive thinking and good support from the cancer council helped them through .

After a while Jo retuned when Candida started school , Jo returned to the workforce and worked casual hours earning enough to help Bob pay the bills . as well as save for a well deserved holiday overseas .

Too long were had they suffered .

Too long were they the scourge of the cancer .

Too long had they fought .

The time for a holiday came and the three departed on the journey of a lifetime .

Candida grew up fast and at 21 she met a man called Mark .

They were very much in love and got married .

Jo and Bob accepted the fact that their little baby had left and that now they were left on her own .

Being aware of hurt again they switched into survival mode . Bob and Jo had to be brave .

They gained power and strength in reminding them selves of the ways things were before they met and now after things had turned out so good in their lives .

Memories of a war suddenly became a reality .

Bob received the news that his love Jo had been diagnosed with a terminal cancer and that she had only a short time left to live .

He wanted to ensure that the last moments of their love would be a new beginning instead of an end .

Bob bought a caravan and for the time that remained they went all around the country . Everywhere they went they experienced life through people and places .

They found a treasure within the heartache that they had buried away .

Love became their daily companion .

Maybe it was fate that chose how it would all come to an end but one night as they slept in their caravan the gas canister exploded and both K

Jo and Bob died in the fire that consumed the van during the night .

Candida knew that even though it was a terrible tragedy there was a combination of acceptance and surrender in her parents death .

Both died happy and at peace and still very much in love .

By Paul McCann

THE END