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Lorcán’s Story

‘Always look on the bright side of Life (from Monty Python)

From: A Faire to Remember by Eric Idle

The following words can be read with great hope, and with the expectation of better things to come – no matter what slings and arrows life throws in one’s direction:

Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you’re chewing on life’s gristle
Don’t grumble, give a whistle
And this’ll help things turn out for the best…

And…always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the light side of life…

If life seems jolly rotten
There’s something you’ve forgotten
And that’s to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you’re feeling in the dumps
Don’t be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle – that’s the thing.

And…always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the light side of life…

When I first noticed some blood in my urine I did not think much of it; but when it recurred a few times a visit to my GP was a priority. A referral to a urologist followed, and then an internal investigation. This showed growths in the bladder lining which necessitated burning off on four occasions over three years as well as several chemical treatments of the bladder.

When I was in the recovery unit after what I thought was a final investigation, without any tubes or gadgets hanging out of me, I expected to hear good news from the surgeon. However, he told me the only way to deal with the problem was the inevitable.

Without going into the gory details, I had my bladder and prostate removed followed by two weeks’ recovery in Tallaght Hospital and now live a normal life, free of any concerns about my future health in that department. I have got used to the urology bag, and the great benefits are that:

  1. I will not die of bladder cancer
  2. I will not die of prostate cancer
  3. I no longer have to get out of bed to go to the bathroom during the night!

Early diagnosis was vital in treating the cancer and in my outlook. I always looked on the bright side of life, head up, living as normal – gardening, parish activities, attending meetings and matches – without any undue worries about what might happen in the future. My belief was in the Lord’s plan for me; I would do my best to cope with the consequences.

In July 2014, I met a college friend from Wales whom I hadn’t seen since 1972 who said to me “If you had that problem 25 years ago I would not be talking with you today.” Quite a sobering thought!!

No matter what difficulties one has to face at any time in one’s life, the words

“Always look on the bright side of life”

should be an encouragement and an inspiration at all times.