Hello Lucy, as I sat and read your post this morning and especially about Nigel and what the doctor told you. I had to write and tell you that I just went through what you and Nigel are going through. Went to the doctor for something else and she dropped the same bombshell, and of course couldn't tell me anything about it, only that it can be managed. I waited four months to get into the Cross Cancer Institute for my appointment. It was hard walking in those doors again because I had breast cancer 18 years ago and it was a very aggressive type as well.... but I am still here.
When the doctor walked into the room I thought here we go again but all she said at first was that she was sorry i had to wait four months to finally get to see her. I just said, do I have leukaemia and she said no!!! What they were looking at is called CLL, which is Chronic Lymphoma Leukaemia, key word here is chronic, it can be treated with pills if needed. But what I have what is called, MBL, Monoclonal B Cell Lymhocytosis. Sounds awful but it's just something to do with the white blood count. But it can turn into the CLL, so they have to watch it and by watching it I mean, a blood test every six months. Oh and there is only a 1 to 3% chance per year, as you age that it could turn into this chronic leukaemia. I will take this odds.
I hope this helps because I know first hand the torture that your both going through your mind right now. If what your husband has was a serious leukaemia they would have got him into a specialist right now. That's a good sign that they didn't!!! I am not a doctor, I can only tell you what just happened to me and I wish just some information in all those months I waited. Your mind can really take over with the worst scenarios. I would repeat in my mind, "thank you for showing me this issue has been resolved". That's how I got through breast cancer 18 years ago and this latest scare. Just think the issue is fixed.
I'm so sorry, Lucy and Nigel. I truly wish that the Universe would quit dumping on you. Is there any recourse or assistance available from Nige's military service? Could the leukemia be traced back to something he was exposed to in Afghanistan? In the US, the Veterans Administration assists and compensates for those exposed, from Agent Orange in Vietnam to the toxic fire pits in Afghanistan. I wish you many blessings to come. Wish I could reach across the pond to give you a big hug.
I don’t have the answers but couldn’t walk away from your post without replying. I’m so very sorry that life is treating you this way. The little bit of knowledge I do have, from looking into this type of life for ourselves (money got in the way - doesn’t it always!), is that you’ll need an income in some form even if the house is paid for and you grow your own food. Your writing and art are beautiful but needs an audience with money to spend. I don’t know how you find that. Hopefully someone reading does.
I’ve run out of suggestions so I’ll stop now, and simply offer a very long distance hug to the both of you, and hope that your post marks the beginning of a better direction of travel.
I often look at Shetland & Orkney. Shetland especially encourages people there, I think there is work & apart from Lerwick, the property is ridiculously cheap as long as you don't mind that the neighbours are not exactly nextdoor but a good distance from you as there is so much space! There is a FB page/website called 'Promote Shetland' and they send a newsletter out & it has jobs available. I'd go like a shot, I could buy a big cottage with big garden for 88 grand right now, (there are places cheaper than that) but for me it's too far from family....
Like others, after reading your post (twice), I want to respond, if only to acknowledge the pain you have. I am so sorry for all your trials. I don't have anything going on exactly like you do, but the past five or six years have been quite challenging, and I know how it feels to be overwhelmed and sad. I wonder if there are caretaker/groundskeeper/shop attendant-type positions on some northern estate or with the National Trust or something... I am not in the U.K. so I honestly don't know how you would go about getting in with something like that, but it just "sounds" like it would be right up your alley for being outside or working away from a city in some lovely village. It's crazy that your husband has to wait so long to see an expert! Our healthcare in the U.S. is insanely expensive, but we usually can get appointments, especially after a diagnosis like your his, so that is very distressing. I love your artwork--it's very special and brings out childhood memories and dreams (for me)--I feel like there should be some place where you could showcase it for sale, rather than online. When I think of U.K. artists, I think of Moy Mackay. I love her work. She's a fiber artist in Peebles Scotland. She creates her felt paintings for sale, has her own shop, and has published several books on "how to" make wet felted paintings. She features other artists too. Could you find an established artist and put some of your work with them in their shop/gallery? I dunno. I know I'm not much help, but I really wanted to offer up the thoughts I had immediately, and also let you know that people you don't even know care, and are wishing you well. xo
So so sorry to hear this Lucy, I know how it feels to be wondering how much more you can take, and I know how much the NHS is failing people right now having three family members battling cancer.
When my Mum died suddenly when I was 41.. I had an overwhelming panic that it could be me next and was also struggling with my mental health. We’d always planned to retire to France but I felt like I had to go then, life felt fragile and short and like you I needed nature and peace.
We sold up, didn’t have any savings, managed to get a mortgage in France and bought a house. Several years later we are debt free, have moved twice and now building a wooden home on a small piece of land. My husband carried on working in the uk at first but the back and forth was too much so he set himself up here doing odd jobs. Building work, teaching tai chi .. anything to earn a bit. I had a small pension and we managed. Now I’m not saying it’s been easy , there’s been lots of hills to climb but I was determined to make it work despite the naysayers thinking we were crazy ! So just to say… there’s always a way forward.. follow your dream.. and best of luck and love to you both x
So sorry to hear this! I really hope you can find the home of your dreams. I have no advice (as the situation was not the same as yours), but my sister and her husband managed to sell a house (in England) and move to a bigger house in the north of Scotland, so it can be done.
I am so sorry to hear your sad news, Lucy. I know you have had it tough over the last few years and cannot imagine how you are both dealing with this. I'm afraid I don't have any words of wisdom or advice for carrying out your dreams but I am sending my very best wishes to you both. If I hear of any little cabins or plots of land here in the Scottish Borders I will let you know.
Hello Lucy, as I sat and read your post this morning and especially about Nigel and what the doctor told you. I had to write and tell you that I just went through what you and Nigel are going through. Went to the doctor for something else and she dropped the same bombshell, and of course couldn't tell me anything about it, only that it can be managed. I waited four months to get into the Cross Cancer Institute for my appointment. It was hard walking in those doors again because I had breast cancer 18 years ago and it was a very aggressive type as well.... but I am still here.
When the doctor walked into the room I thought here we go again but all she said at first was that she was sorry i had to wait four months to finally get to see her. I just said, do I have leukaemia and she said no!!! What they were looking at is called CLL, which is Chronic Lymphoma Leukaemia, key word here is chronic, it can be treated with pills if needed. But what I have what is called, MBL, Monoclonal B Cell Lymhocytosis. Sounds awful but it's just something to do with the white blood count. But it can turn into the CLL, so they have to watch it and by watching it I mean, a blood test every six months. Oh and there is only a 1 to 3% chance per year, as you age that it could turn into this chronic leukaemia. I will take this odds.
I hope this helps because I know first hand the torture that your both going through your mind right now. If what your husband has was a serious leukaemia they would have got him into a specialist right now. That's a good sign that they didn't!!! I am not a doctor, I can only tell you what just happened to me and I wish just some information in all those months I waited. Your mind can really take over with the worst scenarios. I would repeat in my mind, "thank you for showing me this issue has been resolved". That's how I got through breast cancer 18 years ago and this latest scare. Just think the issue is fixed.
I hope this helps, even a little bit.
Beth McGale
Alberta, Canada
I'm so sorry, Lucy and Nigel. I truly wish that the Universe would quit dumping on you. Is there any recourse or assistance available from Nige's military service? Could the leukemia be traced back to something he was exposed to in Afghanistan? In the US, the Veterans Administration assists and compensates for those exposed, from Agent Orange in Vietnam to the toxic fire pits in Afghanistan. I wish you many blessings to come. Wish I could reach across the pond to give you a big hug.
I don’t have the answers but couldn’t walk away from your post without replying. I’m so very sorry that life is treating you this way. The little bit of knowledge I do have, from looking into this type of life for ourselves (money got in the way - doesn’t it always!), is that you’ll need an income in some form even if the house is paid for and you grow your own food. Your writing and art are beautiful but needs an audience with money to spend. I don’t know how you find that. Hopefully someone reading does.
I’ve run out of suggestions so I’ll stop now, and simply offer a very long distance hug to the both of you, and hope that your post marks the beginning of a better direction of travel.
Hi Lucy,
I often look at Shetland & Orkney. Shetland especially encourages people there, I think there is work & apart from Lerwick, the property is ridiculously cheap as long as you don't mind that the neighbours are not exactly nextdoor but a good distance from you as there is so much space! There is a FB page/website called 'Promote Shetland' and they send a newsletter out & it has jobs available. I'd go like a shot, I could buy a big cottage with big garden for 88 grand right now, (there are places cheaper than that) but for me it's too far from family....
Like others, after reading your post (twice), I want to respond, if only to acknowledge the pain you have. I am so sorry for all your trials. I don't have anything going on exactly like you do, but the past five or six years have been quite challenging, and I know how it feels to be overwhelmed and sad. I wonder if there are caretaker/groundskeeper/shop attendant-type positions on some northern estate or with the National Trust or something... I am not in the U.K. so I honestly don't know how you would go about getting in with something like that, but it just "sounds" like it would be right up your alley for being outside or working away from a city in some lovely village. It's crazy that your husband has to wait so long to see an expert! Our healthcare in the U.S. is insanely expensive, but we usually can get appointments, especially after a diagnosis like your his, so that is very distressing. I love your artwork--it's very special and brings out childhood memories and dreams (for me)--I feel like there should be some place where you could showcase it for sale, rather than online. When I think of U.K. artists, I think of Moy Mackay. I love her work. She's a fiber artist in Peebles Scotland. She creates her felt paintings for sale, has her own shop, and has published several books on "how to" make wet felted paintings. She features other artists too. Could you find an established artist and put some of your work with them in their shop/gallery? I dunno. I know I'm not much help, but I really wanted to offer up the thoughts I had immediately, and also let you know that people you don't even know care, and are wishing you well. xo
So sorry to hear your news. Life is challenging at times. I have no suggestions but wish you both the best.
So so sorry to hear this Lucy, I know how it feels to be wondering how much more you can take, and I know how much the NHS is failing people right now having three family members battling cancer.
When my Mum died suddenly when I was 41.. I had an overwhelming panic that it could be me next and was also struggling with my mental health. We’d always planned to retire to France but I felt like I had to go then, life felt fragile and short and like you I needed nature and peace.
We sold up, didn’t have any savings, managed to get a mortgage in France and bought a house. Several years later we are debt free, have moved twice and now building a wooden home on a small piece of land. My husband carried on working in the uk at first but the back and forth was too much so he set himself up here doing odd jobs. Building work, teaching tai chi .. anything to earn a bit. I had a small pension and we managed. Now I’m not saying it’s been easy , there’s been lots of hills to climb but I was determined to make it work despite the naysayers thinking we were crazy ! So just to say… there’s always a way forward.. follow your dream.. and best of luck and love to you both x
So sorry to hear this! I really hope you can find the home of your dreams. I have no advice (as the situation was not the same as yours), but my sister and her husband managed to sell a house (in England) and move to a bigger house in the north of Scotland, so it can be done.
I am so sorry to hear your sad news, Lucy. I know you have had it tough over the last few years and cannot imagine how you are both dealing with this. I'm afraid I don't have any words of wisdom or advice for carrying out your dreams but I am sending my very best wishes to you both. If I hear of any little cabins or plots of land here in the Scottish Borders I will let you know.