Lynda Bellingham

Our thoughts are with the family of Lynda Bellingham, the actress, after the disclosure yesterday about her death from advanced bowel cancer. Like many people in her position, she had fought hard against the disease, undergoing an extensive regime of treatments. She had, however, bravely made a decision that would have been difficult to make but one that was hoped would give her quality time with those she loved. Many of you will have had to make some difficult decisions along your own pathway of care and none more frightening than declining treatment that is offered. Some of you may indeed be in the position whereby your professional team have told you that there is no more treatment available to help slow down or stop the progression of the disease. There is nothing more frightening than looking at ones own mortality sooner than one can ever imagine. True, we are never really ready but then, no-one ever is, are they?

It is hard to imagine leaving those you love but life then becomes about managing any symptoms as quickly as possible so that you can carry on with the important things that you wish to do. It is never more important to build a relationship with your professional team than now. Don't be frightened to ring those numbers you have been given, or to be honest with family and friends about what you need help with, or indeed, what you want from life now. Plan the things you want to do and pace yourself.

The simple things in life become very important as well as those bigger plans, so have some short, medium and long term goals that you can achieve within a realistic time scale. If you achieve all of them, then revel in it and set some more.

We may have said it before, and apologies for doing so again but, every day in every ones life is about sitting up and sniffing the roses, but when you are facing times such as those that Lynda had, then do the most to enjoy all you can. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones.