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When first I was told I thought it can't be,
things like this don't happen to me.
Life isn't always just what it seems,
perhaps this is just a horrible dream.
We went to our bed feeling quite sad,
trying to think things can't be that bad,
but when we awoke, nothing had changed
our fears and anxieties - they all remained.
When telling family and friends we soon realised
that most with my problem had all survived.
The main thing we decided, although not easy to do
was that we must think positive every day through.
That we all have bad thoughts is undoubtedly true,
remember there is always someone worse off than you!
Make the best of the hand you have been dealt
and your bad thoughts will soon start to melt.
You must never give up, whatever you do
with your friends and your family you can get through.
Do not let yourself fall to thoughts of despair
there are always plenty of people who care.
I have pulled through and will always fight on
even though all my symptoms have gone.
The staff in this place are simply the best,
the depth of my gratitude cannot be expressed.
Thanks come from my family, and my friends too
to everyone here for all that you do.
You are wonderful people who obviously care
myself and many more are glad you are there.
That applies to you all in every role
my words and my thoughts come from my very soul.
Thanks once again from me, and soon to be wife
thank you so much for the rest of my life.
by
Stephen Ward 13/03/98
This poem was written by me in about 20 minutes as I came to the end of a course of chemotherapy following bowel cancer, it was posted on the notice board at Cookridge hospital in Leeds where I underwent post operative treatment. The poem was straight from the heart and obviously has meaning to me and others involved. Cookridge is a hospital for cancer treatment.
Another poem that means a lot to Stephen can
be seen here 
