Ross's Story by holly matthews

“I’m sorry to say Mr Blair, but you have a brain tumour. It’s the size of a large egg, and we are going to aim to operate, perhaps some radiotherapy, chemotherapy, but if theres nothing else we can do, we will just keep you comfortable.”


As my husband was given those words I felt myself sinking into the floor. The world seemed to go slowly as I looked up at his Mum, perhaps expecting to catch her, but she just looked white. I looked to Ross, he seemed shocked, but calm.


Thats Ross though and there really wasn’t anything more to say.


That was the beginning. 


He had been having headaches for a few weeks, had been going through depression and mood swings, but we had a new baby and we put it down to that.


Ross’ Mum, Dionne and I drove home without him and the car was eerily silent. No words could express what we were feeling.


Pure shock and fear. Deep, deep fear.


Getting back to my house we were met with Matty, Ross’s younger brother (who had been babysitting my two girls, while we had gone into hospital) he asked if everything was OK and his Mum told him the news. We just hugged and cried. Terrified.


Matty and Dionne left to go and see his sister and for a short time I was alone.


I phoned my parents and sister and delivering the news to others made me sob. What was happening? He had gone in with headaches!


The truth is I new it was going to be bad, I never for one second thought it would be this, but I knew something was going on, something bigger.


I phoned my agent and left her a voice message. As a TV actress I had just finished filming BBC Casualty and had booked a film. I wanted to let her know that couldn’t happen, I just wanted to tie up loose ends, be present in what was happening.


I looked around at my house and I wondered what it all meant. 


What would happen with us? The girls? How would I cope with this? 


Nothing seemed to make sense and there was no answers.


I am an extremely positive person and I just knew I had to focus on one foot in front of the other, one step at a time. Clear everything, seek help from those around us and be there for Ross emotionally.


We have an extremely good bunch of people around us and over the coming weeks (with Ross’ instruction) a schedule was put together and everyone took turns having the girls. We wanted to make sure they didn’t get embroiled in any of it. 


Brooke was about 3 years and Texas 1, so they couldn't really understand, but I knew they would sense something if they were around us.


Everyone chipped in, they took so much pressure off us and those that did that will always have a place in my heart. The girls nursery, lead by the owner Steph, took the girls for months, free of charge. That is the good in the world, that is humanity.


Someone from American contacted me in the early days and we spoke online. This lady had grade 3 brain cancer and she was very pragmatic about it all. She gave me the advice “This can still be your life, it will be brain cancer life now, but it doesn’t have to define you”


This stuck with me and as an advanced practitioner of The law of attraction and someone who knows that what you focus your mind on, you bring into your reality, I practiced what I preached.


When people tried to tell me how horrendous chemo was going to be for Ross, I said “He will be fine, we will focus on that when it’s here”


People mean well, but they often impart their own fears onto you and that just wasn’t how this was going to run. Some may see that as naive, but you’re wrong. Ross hasn’t read a single thing online, or otherwise into brain cancer, chemo, radiotherapy, brain surgery and because of this he doesn’t know what he is supposed to feel, he just feels it if it’s there.


He has been remarkable. 2 brains surgeries, chemo, radio, seizures, doctors poking and prodding, having his driving licence taken off him. He has defied what people said.


He has left intense chemotherapy to go and play football, or ride his bike. He would go into chemo and say “shall I breeze this one?” and I would, of course, tell him “yeah, do it! Why not?”


You will never hear Ross say “This is a nightmare” or “why me?”


Quite the opposite, you will hear him say “Why not me? None of us are immune, it’s just science” or “I’m bored if it now, it’s gone anyway” “They keep telling me I’ve got cancer, but I can’t feel it!”


He is never a victim, WE are not victims.


As the partner of someone going through stuff it can sometimes feel like you are watching a movie you cannot do anything about. You feel frustrated for them, want to take away any pain, but yet you are left to watch. I had to learn to let go of trying to control Ross. I wanted to tell him what to eat, what he could and couldn’t do. 


I was scared, there is so much information out there (often conflicting) and I just wanted him to be OK. You have to let your loved one make decisions or you will find your relationship will shift.


It does shift naturally anyway, as the partner, or carer you take on roles you didn’t have before. Believe me, I was not chief driver in our house and I don’t relish in it now. At the beginning everything was down to me and although we have tremendous support, it felt alien.


Nearly 3 years into his diagnosis and he is currently having chemo again, you wouldn't know there was anything going on in his body. It’s hard to imagine what we have been told is reality, so we live like it’s not.


It’s not our reality right now and we live with hope. We are very realistic people, we know its not an easy one, but we try to live in an authentic way and mix practical (doing a will and power of attorney etc) with living our normal life and hoping for the best.


It’s the letting go and the fear that stops most, but the reality is that MANY people LIVE with cancer. It isn’t free of cancer, or death. It’s upkeep, its appointments, but in-between you live.


The advice I could give to others going through this is to block out negativity, focus on your loved ones and being as normal as possible, don’t try and force new ideas onto them and find time for you.


You are useless if you go down. You have to have time out and it’s a good idea to let people know you don’t want to talk about cancer all of the time (or people REALLY will)


Remember cancer isn’t personal, it doesn't ‘only happen to the good ones’, you don’t have to be defined by this, in fact there can be positive to come out of it.


For example; 

• Strengthening your bond with your loved one
• Seeing the wonderful side of humanity in the nurses, doctors and others around you that offer help. 
• The strength that you can find within you will stay with you forever. You learn compassion and empathy for others and a deeper understanding of whats important.

I had no experience of cancer before Ross and no real understanding of the impact it has, now I know that peoples lives get shook up and rung out and I want to help.


My approach isn’t for everyone though, I'm pretty straight talking, no bullshit and will not have negative chitter chatter.  Say to yourself everyday “I will work this out” and get on with you day.


I have been thoroughly changed by Ross’s cancer diagnosis and I am not the person I was 3 years ago. I have seen and learnt things that will stay with me now forever and I am very strong. 


As a carer, or someone close to someone with cancer, I am on your side, I am holding your hand, I alright there with you, I know, I KNOW and you are not alone.


Sending strength and love to all.


Holly x


Please come and say hello via Twitter @hollymatthews, Instagram @hollymatthews84, My Facebook page I am Holly Matthews, or my YouTube HollyMatthewsonline

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