Boosted by a cascade of wellwishers

Dave Whaley: hard at work

I WISH I had a pound for Christies for every time someone has commented “you look really well”.

The truth is that I have felt great these past few months. The “Keep Smiling” message hasn’t been forced and I’ve been enjoying life. Getting out and about is taking longer than usual but that is only because you good folk of Oldham really do care.

My golf buddies at Werneth go out of their way to enquire how I am, and a trip to Shaw Asda now consists of a stop about every other aisle, a handshake here, a hug there (mostly female but Wendy understands!) and good luck messages aplenty.

I went on the food run on my own on Saturday afternoon and it got me thinking what troubles folk carry with them on their way. Mine has been a very public journey and I have no regrets about that as I still get feedback of how the “Keep Smiling” articles have been a big help to others.

But some will have gone through, or are going through, their own journeys. There is no neon sign that displays their state of body or mind to the world and they plod on.

Contrast that with a couple of hours on Sunday afternoon spent at the Dr Kershaw’s Christmas fair.

There, many wear their heart on their sleeve and many of those spending their hard-earned money have been directly or indirectly touched by cancer.

I got a real boost when bumping into Louise Burns, the widow of the great Harry Burns, chairman of First Choice Homes Oldham.

Louise and her family are bracing themselves for the first Christmas without the much-loved figurehead, but she assured me Harry was watching over me - and he read every one of these pieces up to his death in September.

With my golfing pal Jane Fletcher and football teammate Trevor Lewis already on my side “up there” I have a triumvirate of supporters not to be messed with.

My weekend of leisure was preceded by a dinner-suited gathering of the finest legal brains around for the Oldham Law Association annual dinner.

I mention this not to put myself on a par with such luminaries — myself and Business Editor Martyn Torr, compere for the night, doff our caps to the judges and barristers who grace us with their presence.

I do so because I had the pleasure of sitting opposite the charming Mayoress of Oldham, Tanvir Hussain..

She has blossomed in her supporting role to husband Fida and they are full of heart-warming stories of their busy days meeting Oldhamers. She too has been following the Whaley travails and told me to consider herbal teas as an aid to my plight.

Lo and behold, what should we encounter at Dr Kershaw’s? None other than a stall selling sample packs. I decided against the Winter Warmer selection and went for the herbal tea pack, plus a metal infuser and a leaflet on how to get the best from my leaves.

So while we wait for the phone to ring from the consultants plotting the next step, I will often be found in the staff canteen, brewing up - a phrase Mrs W can’t stand.

So tee hee — or should that be tea hee?

Keep Smiling!