Post by Dave on Apr 22, 2009 15:37:56 GMT
When ever I tell anyone about the TFF Mascot Appeal, I always get the same responses every single time, each person has been amazed at the kindness and generosity that members on this forum showed and the very big part they played in giving Lewis a day he will never forget.
For anyone who does not know about Lewis, his full name is Lewis Starkie and he is just eight years old and on the 19/5/2008 he was diagnosed as having Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Since then he has undergone initial chemo treatment at Bristol Children’s Hospital during the months of May and June in 2008.
This was followed up by two delayed intensive chemo courses at the RD&E at Exeter; the first one was done in September and October 2008 and the second one in January and February 2009.
He is now on a maintenance phase of chemo treatment for the next two and a half years. He became very interested in our own Chris Todd and also had a dream to be a mascot for Torquay United.
The TFF members were so quick to want to help and donated a total of £465 to the Lewis Mascot Appeal. Lewis his sister and mum and dad were treated to a matchday experience far better than they could have ever wished for, you provided the entry into the game, a family carvery, the kit for Lewis, complete with new yellow boots, a lovely kit bag and other gifts for Lewis. With the money left over Lewis is having drum lessons in his own home and frames made to put his signed shirts in to hang on his bedroom wall.
It was not just money you gave, but something so more important to a family whose whole world has been turned upside down. You all showed you really cared and it was important to you that Lewis had a wonderful day. I know how touched Lewis and his family are by your kindness and you all touched me very deeply and I thank you all so much for all that you have done.
Most of us have children and can’t even begin to imagine the shock and horror having one of your children diagnosed with cancer and even more so when the child is just still a baby really and has had no life at all so far.
I know that when you first hear the news that a loved one has cancer, you really don’t want to believe it, you tell yourself someone has got it all wrong, but no, its true and then you feel angry and only have one question you want answered “WHY” you think about all the scumbags in the world and you ask why they have nothing wrong with them, why should it happen to someone who is a very decent and loving person.
You may also question if there is a god, if there was why would he let this happen, but then you want to try and justify it all, sadly there are no answers, only the fact that this person has cancer and needs your love and support.
Fear is the next major emotion you have to deal with and the voices that come into your head, you do not know what is going to happen, how the treatment will work and if you could you would just make today last forever. But those fears have to be faced and conquered because it’s the only way you can get strong and play your part in the real big fight ahead.
There is also the risk that you might just get a selfish moment, I know I did and while everyone has told me it was understandable, I still hated myself for having one. You see for the first time in my life I had a true friend, someone who loved me for who I was and wanted the simple things that I wanted in life. Just being together as lover and friend and being a true and loving family.
I had found that with Carol after nearly 40 years of heartache and just the once I thought it was so unfair that I should now lose it. All these emotions really are normal and ones as I said have to be dealt with and overcome, its not easy and even when you do your whole life changes.
Grahame will know all the time that is now spent at appointments, treatments, sitting in waiting rooms, where the sign says the clinic is running 45 minutes late. It will be more than hour for sure and all that time waiting and worrying what news awaits you when you do finally get to see the consultant.
There was a place that is now closed down near Kingsbridge, it was called Sorely Tunnel, a very long and disused railway tunnel, and it was like being in a different world as you walked through it. When Carol and I went there we took her youngest son, (now over 21) he was about the same age Lewis is now. As we got near the entrance he did not want to go into the tunnel.
“Why” well because it really was a long tunnel and all you could see was a small piece of light at the other end about the size of a pea. He stated he did not want to go in as how could we get out as the hole the other end was far too small.
I think being in a dark tunnel best describes how you feel when you get such bad news and at that time you would give anything just to see even the smallest of light at the end of the tunnel you are in. All you can do is face everything and keep believing the best will happen and if you are lucky one day you will walk out into the daylight again.
It also helps so much knowing others care and understand and are there sharing you hope and wishes, that is what you all gave to Lewis and his family.
This forum is so proud and pleased to have Lewis as our friend and it’s a friendship that is going to last and I will do updates on how Lewis is and what he is getting up to, as I’m sure you will all be so interested.
All being well Lewis will be at the Burton match with his dad, Crooky is coming down with the masterpiece he has been working on and will be presenting it to Lewis. It’s nearly finished, Crooky just wants it perfect and is just putting the final touches to it, then it’s being framed and we will pay for the framing from the money we have left.
I also hope the winner of the shirt will be at the match as Lewis would like to present the shirt in person to the winner.
So who has won the shirt?
Well done stuartb
